Stories from Heaven's Library - Vol. 18
For Young and Old

Featuring:
         The Paperboy
         Benjamin's Secret
         Now & Then
         Rescued!
         The Shy Shepherd
         Christmas Eve Friend

THE PAPERBOY
         It had been a bitterly cold night of Christmas Eve. After weeks of frantic shopping, wild advertising, lights and noise, the city lay silent. The streets were covered with slush from the snow melted by the car tracks of hurried last-minute shoppers.
         It was nearly dawn, and hardly anyone noticed the homeless youth sleeping just beneath their feet on the overpass of 14th St. near the edge of the city. He lay sleeping at the top of the incline--just below the rafters of the street above--on a makeshift bed of rags, newspapers and old tattered blankets that he'd collected. Lightly dressed, his body racked from the cold of the winter night.
         Sean was redheaded and freckled, and often slept with a tear-stained face. Sean's only friend in the world was an old pigeon that slept up in the latticed support structure of the overpass. Several pigeons made their home there and Sean had affectionately named the bird he most liked, Whistler. Sean often shared crumbs from his meager* portion of food with Whistler and his friends, and appreciated their cooing and company on lonely nights like these.
* * *
         Sean had never known his father, Jerry. Jerry had been in the Navy and was stationed overseas shortly after Sean was born. They had been a loving, Christian family, and enjoyed a simple but comfortable home life. Sean's mother had loved the Lord dearly, prayed often and taught Sean to do the same. Nothing could ever happen to unsettle her faith, not even when they learned that there had been a terrible accident aboard the ship where Jerry was assigned, and that Jerry was among the casualties.
         In the hard years and the many moves and changes that followed, Sean and his mother strengthened themselves in God's promises in the Bible and firmly believed that somehow all things would work together for good.
         Sean's mother had always been rather sickly and weak, and as the years progressed she grew weaker still. The doctors told her that she was dying, and she knew it was only a matter of time until she would join her husband in Heaven. Sean's mother couldn't work because of her poor health. Because the cause and circumstances of the incident leading to her husband's death were still under investigation, they did not get a pension or more than a bare minimum amount of help and support. They soon had to move out of their house and stay in a shabby apartment in a low-income section of the city.
         As soon as Sean was old enough, he got a job as a paperboy, delivering newspapers. It seemed that every penny he received went toward school and food. His mother had not grown up in this country. Because of some troubles in the past her family had disowned her, so when she died Sean was left very much alone. The social worker at the hospital had not explained things very well to Sean, and in his mind it seemed like he was going to be taken to some kind of state prison for boys. The thought of that was all too much for him, so that night he just slipped out quietly and found a spot on the streets to spend the night. From then on, he began living in the streets, keeping out of sight as best he could. Street life was hard and people were not always kind.
* * *
         Now, lying here under the bridge looking up at an awakening city, Sean could hardly imagine that all this had happened to him in just a few month's time. His whole life had dramatically changed. Sean was 14 and had a small job delivering the morning paper to the residential area not far from the overpass. It brought in enough money for food, but he had to be there very early in the morning.
         High above he could hear Whistler waking up and flapping his wings. "Oh, wouldn't it be nice if for one day the papers would deliver themselves?" he muttered as he rolled over and pulled up the well-worn and hole-filled blanket that hardly kept him warm and usually slipped off during the night.
         He made a chirping sound and Whistler came flapping down looking for his morning handout of bread scraps. Sean tossed him some crusts from a small plastic bag. "Stay here and guard my bed. I need to go to work," he said cheerily. He jumped up and crawled down the incline to the sidewalk below. Off he ran to the delivery house to pick up his batch of newspapers.
         He was known as the quickest paperboy in the area. He knew how to throw the papers from the sidewalk so that they'd land neatly on the dry porch near the front door of every house. His secret? Necessity. On days like today he would be soaked to the bone in no time running across the slushy lawns in what could scarcely be called shoes. All he wore was an old pair of loafers he had found in a dumpster one morning while on his route. They had been pretty good at the time, but now they were thoroughly worn and full of holes.
         Although life was very difficult for Sean, somehow he remained quite cheerful. And today was a special day to feel cheerful--after all, it was Christmas day! As he walked down the street tossing papers on this fine but chilly Christmas morning, he said a short prayer as he passed each house. He had never met any of the residents here, as someone else did the collecting. He was usually done and gone by the time anybody even stirred, but today was a special day and he decided to pray for them just the same.
         "God, give them an enjoyable Christmas day and help them to appreciate all the things they have, their families, their warm homes, the presents and songs."
         Sean wiped away a tear and slowed his pace as he thought of his mother, and the touch of her soft, frail hand on his shoulder: "Sean, when I'm gone, remember to think of all the good things, and thank God for all the years we've had together and the life and good health He's given you."
         Nearing the end of his paper route, Sean entered a small church. He knelt down in the back and prayed a prayer that was about to be answered in the most unusual way: "Dear Jesus, You have always been a friend to me, and have watched over me these past months since Mom died. I know You hear my every prayer. What I would like is to have some nice place and some nice person to spend Christmas with. It's cold and no fun being out here alone on these streets all the time. Please, Jesus, if it is possible I would like to be part of a family again. Amen!"
* * *
         Not far from the church a businessman, Mr. Lando, wearily sat up in bed. He had been very busy these last few months, personally helping to set up new housing facilities for poor families, organizing holiday charity shows, and doing what he could down at the shelter for runaway youth and street children who needed help. Christmas morning had finally arrived, and with everything working well, he planned to stay home for the day.
         He walked down the few steps into his den, where the young black spruce Christmas tree he had purchased earlier still lay undecorated beside a few lights and some tinsel. In a few minutes he had it up and had scattered cotton at the foot of the tree. He laid a few presents underneath, presents he planned to take over to some children at a nearby shelter later that afternoon. He sat back in the easy chair to enjoy a few more nods.
* * *
         Sean finished his prayers and walked back out into the cold to deliver the last few papers. He noticed he was running a little late and wasn't nearly as careful as he usually was with his paper tossing. He reached the last house and hurled the newspaper towards the door. As it left his hand his heart stopped--he had thrown that one a touch too fast. He awaited the sound of breaking glass as the paper flew towards the small windows by the door and then crashed through, scattering bits and pieces of glass everywhere.
         Sean stood for a moment in horror. He had heard stories from others of their window-breaking experiences, and the anger with which they were met by the residents. His first thought was to run, but then he felt the presence of his mother telling him to face it like a man. "After all," a little voice said in his head, "there's no use running away. You're the only paperboy that has this route." With that, he gingerly approached the front door, hoping for the best.
         Startled awake by the smashing glass at the front door, Mr. Lando had picked up an iron poker from the fireplace and gone to see if someone was trying to break in. To his surprise, a shabbily dressed and very nervous youth stood on his step, who now looked all the more fretful seeing the poker in Mr. Lando's hand. The man gave a hearty laugh once he realized what had happened.
         Mr. Lando was a kind man, and always had a special heart for young people, after the loss of his own son so many years before. "That's okay! Don't worry about it! It's Christmas and you look cold. Please come in."
         Sean might normally have said no to such an invitation into a stranger's house. But something about this person was different. It was almost like he knew him from some place. Within minutes they were talking, laughing and drinking hot chocolate. Mr. Lando couldn't help but notice the tattered clothes of the boy sitting in his den, and wondered what kind of life he led. But, not wanting to embarrass the boy whom he had just met, he chose to not say anything just yet.
         Time had passed and they were both engrossed in their conversation. "I was married long ago," Mr. Lando said, "but after an accident in the Navy I was hospitalized and in critical condition for many months. By a terrible clerical mistake, a message was sent to my wife and child saying I was dead. My wife did not know English very well and anyway, when I returned my wife and child were nowhere to be found. I tried to locate them, but I could never find them, so I assumed that well I guess I couldn't expect them to wait for my return when they thought I was dead, could I?
         "Anyway, after that I chose to dedicate my life to helping others--children, the runaways, the poor and those who have lost their homes. I have given up on finding my family, but I pray to God they are safe and happy wherever they are. You see, I read the Bible and it says that all things work together for good. I trust that my life, too, will work together for good.
         "Perhaps if it weren't for that tragedy in my life, I would never have reached out to others and tried to help those who were less fortunate than I." A tear rolled down his cheek. Then he regained his composure and laughed, "Well, you're probably not interested in all my ramblings. Oh, and by the way, my name is Jerry Lando. What's yours?"
         Sean was speechless; his brain spinning from the man's story. He glanced around the room and his eyes fell upon a framed photo of a young naval officer hugging a sweet woman with a baby in her arms. For a moment Sean felt dizzy with shock. The woman in the photo was his mother. He sat there stunned for a moment, then stuttered, "I I'm Sean D D Dad?"
         Now it was Jerry's turn to look amazed. "Who what me? What makes you say that?"
         "The woman the woman in that picture, she looks just like my mother--and the man is the same one that I saw on old photos my mother had."
         "Sean? You said your name was Sean?" Jerry asked, his face almost ashen*.
         "Yes, Sean it's me, Dad!"
         For an instant that seemed like an eternity, the boy and the man studied each other, looking deeply into the other's eyes. "Could this really be true!?" the man said. He had searched so long, gone down so many blind alleys, coped with so many disappointments.--It was too much to fathom that in this unexpected moment while talking to a young troubled boy, here was his long lost son.
         The man burst into tears and uncontrollable sobbing. Sean found himself little better off. He reached out and touched the man's shoulder, and in an instant found himself in his long lost father's arms. They wept and hugged each other for a long time before either one was even able to speak. At last the man said, "Thank God you are home, safe at last! Tell me everything! How is your mother?"
         Sean's thrill at finding his father was suddenly dampened, as he realized that what he had to tell him would probably come as a shock. "Mom told me the story of your accident aboard the Navy boat. That was many years ago. We moved around a lot. Then a couple of months ago, Mom got real sick. A real nice doctor took care of her and tried to help her, but she was very weak. She told me she knew she was going to a better place. And then she died." Sean looked sadly at the ground, and suppressed a sob. "At the hospital I got scared by all the questions and the police and the social workers, so I ran away and have been living under the overpass at 14th street since then."
         They both wept as Sean poured out his story. Then they hugged each other close again for what seemed like forever, not saying a word, just thankful to be reunited.
         At last, Jerry was the one to break the silence of this solemn moment. "Are you hungry, Sean?"
         "Very," Sean answered.
         "Then let's go someplace to eat and do some shopping. You look like you could use some new clothes and a nice hot shower."
         That evening father and son celebrated all the Christmases, Thanksgivings, Father's Days and birthdays they'd ever missed--everything they could think of. And most importantly, they thanked the great God of love Who had answered their prayers and brought them back together again.

BENJAMIN'S SECRET
         The sun rose softly over the hilly horizon, casting its golden rays over the calm Sea of Galilee, which shimmered a short distance away. A cock crew, and Benjamin opened his sleepy eyes just as a ray of sunlight pierced through a hole in the shutter of his bedroom window. He threw off his blankets, headed towards the window, and blinked his eyes in the bright light as he flung open the shutters.
         He looked out at the village below. The flat roofs of the houses dotted the hillside all the way down to the main town road. A company of Roman soldiers marched past the synagogue towards the main square. Today was market day, one of Benjamin's favorite days of the week. By noon the main street would be crowded with people: merchants from faraway countries selling their goods, travelers on their way to Jerusalem telling tales of distant places they had been to, local villagers selling their fruits and vegetables, and of course, the fishermen down by the shore fixing their nets, telling tales of their adventures.
         "Benji, honey! Are you ready yet?" called a voice from the kitchen. It was Keren, Benjamin's mother.
         "Yes, Mother!" replied Benjamin. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the small house, and Benjamin hurriedly threw on the rest of his clothes and sat down for breakfast.
         Like most people in Capernaum, Benjamin and his family lived in a simple house. The main section consisted of an upper part and a lower part. In the lower part was a simple fireplace, which made up their kitchen. Here they did all their cooking. There were urns of oil, flour and water, as well as some smaller pots for dates, olives and figs. There was a door here, too, which led out the back of the house. Right outside this door was the staircase that led up to the flat roof.
         Benjamin's room was built next to the upper section of the house. The upper section was their main living and dining area. Here stood the family table, around which they would gather for meals and special occasions. When Benjamin came in, his mother was just setting down the straw basket filled with hot bread. Benjamin helped bring some cups and water to the table.
         "Thank you for your help, Benji," said his mother. "Your father should be here any minute now with the milk."
         "Oh, goodie!" said Benjamin as he headed towards the door just as his father came walking down the path that led to their house from over the hill. "Let me help you, Father!" Benjamin said, as he opened the door and took one of the buckets from his father's hand.
         "Oho! Thank you, Son! Why, you must sure be hungry today!"
         Benjamin was seven years old, and often helped his father, John, with the sheep and goats. Benjamin loved taking care of little lambs, and would help carry them when the flock had to move longer distances. John was a shepherd by trade, as was his brother, Benjamin's uncle, Eli. Benjamin wanted to be a shepherd just like his father when he grew up.
         After breakfast, and a prayer of thankfulness to God for keeping their herds and providing all their needs, Benjamin hurried to help clear the table. He was eager to go to the market with his mother, but first all the chores had to be done around the house.
         He wiped the crumbs off the table, then swept the floor, brushing all the crumbs down the four steps that led to the lower section of the house. The sheepdogs, who had come in with Benjamin's father and were lying on the floor near the fireplace, jumped up and starting licking up the crumbs that Benjamin was sweeping down. "Here you go, dogs, some more crumbs for you!"
         John had to go back out and tend the sheep. He whispered something in Keren's ear. She gave a nod, and whispered something back. Benjamin tried his best to hear what they were saying, but pretended not to be listening as he quietly kept on sweeping the floor. John gave Keren a fond kiss goodbye, and came and knelt down in front of Benjamin.
         "Guess what, big boy? I have a surprise for you! How would you like to come and join me tonight as I watch over the sheep? We can bring some bread, build a fire, and you can help me keep an eye out for any jackals!"
         "Oh really, Father? Can I come? Can I really come?"
         "Yes, big boy! Mother said it was all right!"
         "Oh goodie!" exclaimed Benjamin. "Thank you, Mother!"
         "Be sure you take a good nap today," Keren admonished him, "so that you'll be awake and alert when you go to watch the sheep tonight!"
         "Oh yes, Mother!"
         Benjamin was so excited. This would be the first time for him to join the sheep-watch team. Most of the shepherds worked together, and they would all take turns watching the herds by night. Tonight was his father and Uncle Eli's turn.
         "Oh yes, James will be coming along with Uncle Eli too!" Benjamin's father called back as he walked out the door.
         "Wow!" Benjamin exclaimed, "James is coming too? This will be exciting!" James and Benjamin were cousins, and best friends. They had practically grown up together. Now Benjamin really couldn't wait. He wished the sun would start setting right away, but the whole day was still ahead of him.
* * *
         Soon he had finished all his chores and was on the way to the market with his mother. "Be careful now, Benji! Make sure you stay close to me and don't go wandering off!"
         There were so many people milling around, and people at all kinds of stands selling all manner of fruits, vegetables and goodies. There were dates, olives, figs, grapes, caskets of wine, fish, breads, wool and furs.
         But Benjamin's favorite part of the market was near the main square where all the traveling merchants stopped. Although his mother never bought anything in this part of the market, it was still fun to see all the interesting things these merchants had, loaded up on their camels, carts and donkeys.
         Sometimes there would be strange looking or colorful animals, which Benjamin had never seen before. Other merchants sold magnificent robes, veils and headdresses inlaid with colorful gems, or large buckles and girdles decorated with diamonds. Still others had small statues of Roman gods and goddesses, and emperors.
         As Benjamin looked around, he noticed groups of Roman soldiers standing around making sure everything was in order. Benjamin had seen the centurion who was in charge of these soldiers a few times. He would come to the market every so often, and was easy to recognize because of his plumed helmet. He seemed to be a kind man, and the Romans in this village were usually very helpful to the people.
         It hadn't always been that way. The Roman soldiers used to be very strict and tough, even mean to the people here. But that had all changed after a man called Jesus came to town one day. People said he was a prophet, and that he had come from a town called Nazareth. He healed many sick people, and performed all sorts of miracles.
         One day the centurion had gone to see him, and Jesus healed one of his sick servants. Ever since then, this centurion had been a changed man. He became kinder, and was now more cheerful and helpful to the people, as were his soldiers.
         "Enough looking, Honey!" said his mother. "It's time to go pay our taxes, and then we need to head home. You still need to take a nap, remember?"
         They walked on over to the tax office at the other end of the square. Benjamin wandered around as Keren began talking to the publican who collected their taxes. Around the corner sat a group of Roman soldiers, guarding the tax office. Benjamin overheard the word "Jesus" in their conversation and wandered closer to hear what they were saying.
         "Remember that look on Levi's face when this Jesus came up to the tax desk?"
         "Yes, I remember. I just couldn't believe it. Here this perfect stranger walks up--who didn't even have enough money to buy some decent sandals--says, 'Follow Me!' and Levi just gets up and leaves with Him!"
         "Ha! The poor fool. I wonder what he's doing these days. Do you suppose he still wanders around with this Jesus guy? They say He has done all sorts of miracles. Remember, even the centurion said that he had healed his servant!"
         "Well, I never saw any such miracles myself. But He is a very interesting man, and He still shows up here every now and then."
         "Yes, but there are usually so many people with Him that I've never gotten a close look at the guy! I'd better go see how Phineas, our new publican, is doing!"
         "Oh! There you are, honey!" Benjamin spun around to see his mother. "Well, let's go now. I still need to prepare lunch for you and your father."
         Benjamin skipped all around on their way home, running through the palm trees that lined the road leading up to their house. When they got home, and had eaten lunch, Keren handed Benjamin a package of food to take up to his father. "Hurry back in time for your nap!" she called out after him.
         After a short walk Benjamin reached his father's sheep. He stayed there a short while, running after the sheep and the goats and carrying his favorite lambs. Then he ran back down the path that led to his house. Once home, he went straight to his room and excitedly lay down on his bed for a nap.
* * *
         When Benjamin awoke, it was already late afternoon. It had taken him awhile to fall asleep, but once he did, he slept soundly. He had dreamt of watching over the sheep that night, and how he boldly scared away the jackals who came to attack the herds, and also that he rescued a little lamb who had gotten trapped between some rocks.
         With the bright sun still high in the sky, he went out to find James, his friend. They often played together in the afternoon, running over the beautiful hills, walking by the village paths that wound through the houses dotting the serene landscape. Then they would stop to see the shepherds at the top of the hill, and watch the sheepdogs cleverly keeping the herds together. They would help feed the sheep grain, or milk the goats. It was so much fun to watch the little lambs playing with each other, running, jumping and climbing on top of the rocks that dotted the grassy hillsides, and sliding off again.
         As they played with the lambs, Benjamin and James talked about keeping watch over the sheep with their fathers that night. They imagined themselves driving away the wild animals with flaming torches from their campfire.
         "Watch out with those sticks!" Uncle Eli called out. The boys had picked up some sticks which they imagined were torches, and were swinging them around wildly, pretending to drive away the jackals. "We're scaring away the jackals," they both chimed.
         "Well, that's good. Just keep those sticks away from the sheep or you'll hurt them!"
         "Yes, sir!" the boys called out, as they moved further on up the hill in "chase" of the ferocious dogs.
         "Those kids sure have a lot of energy!" Uncle Eli said, slightly exasperated*.
         "Yes, they sure do!" said John. "They're all excited about watching the sheep with us tonight."
         "That should be a lot of fun!" agreed Uncle Eli.
         Later that day, as the setting sun touched the horizon and the fishing boats on the lake returned to dock, Benjamin and his family sat down for dinner.
         "We thank You, God," Benjamin's father started praying, "for how You have protected us this day. Thank You that no evil has come to this house, and that You have provided all our needs once again. Bless this food we are about to eat, and sanctify it according to Your promises. Amen!"
         "Amen!" everybody joined in.
         Uncle Eli and James had joined them for dinner too, since they all would be going up to the sheep together that evening. It was fun to have them over for dinner, as Uncle Eli and John would always tell of the adventures they had had together watching the sheep.
         Soon it was time to leave. Benjamin and James diligently prepared for their task of watching the sheep that night. They dressed warmly, putting on extra cloaks over their robes, and fastening their best sticks to their belts. They brought along some rope too, to bundle firewood they would collect along the way.
         The sheepdogs followed close behind Benjamin and James, snapping at the bundles of sticks that dangled behind them, which grew larger and larger as they walked up the hills. Having picked up every bit of wood they saw, the boys were huffing and puffing by the time they reached the herds. It was getting dark now, and the first stars appeared low in the sky.
         Benjamin and James felt that they had done a man-sized job as they proudly dropped their bundles of firewood near the pile of rocks where the shepherds would build the fire.
         "That sure is a good amount of firewood you boys collected!" Benjamin's father congratulated them. "That should keep us plenty warm, and the jackals far away tonight."
         "Yes, good job, boys!" Uncle Eli chimed in. He lit a small fire with the torch he had carried up the hill. The boys, together with John and Eli, walked through the herds of sheep making sure none were missing, and then returned to the fire.
         "So boys, we must be sure to stay awake and watchful. The sheepdogs are standing guard at the edge of the fold, making sure everything is safe and that the sheep stay together. Any noise from them means potential danger, and we need to be ready to jump and find out what it is--and if there is indeed danger, to drive it away!"
         Benjamin and James were excited. They eagerly looked at where the sheepdogs were stationed. All the sheep were now huddled together, starting to doze off for the night, secure between the vigilant sheepdogs and watchful eyes of the shepherds. Nearby, a little lamb lay nursing contentedly. A few sheep stirred, and then all was silent. The sound of chirping crickets filled the air, as an occasional breeze rustled through the trees.
         Benjamin's father and Uncle Eli would take turns sleeping, as the other would stay awake to watch the sheep. Uncle Eli decided to sleep first, and take the second watch with the sheep.
         Benjamin and James lay on their backs looking up at the stars, which had grown brighter now that darkness had settled.
         "Father! Please tell us the story about the star!" Benjamin pleaded.
         "Yes, the story about that magic star!" James echoed.
         "All right!" said John. He had told the boys this story many times before, as it was one of their favorites.
         "One night," Benjamin's father began, "when Uncle Eli and I were as old as you two, we were watching the sheep with our fathers. There weren't as many sheep as we have now, of course, but we had to watch over them just the same. It was a night as calm and still as this one."
         One of the dogs barked at the edge of the fold, and then calmed down again. "Probably just a rabbit!" grunted Uncle Eli, who had woken up with the barking. The boys lay back down again as John continued the story.
         "The sky was crystal clear, and the stars glistened like diamonds in the sky. But, pretty soon, we noticed that the whole hillside had grown silent. None of the sheep stirred, there was no wind. Not even the crickets were chirping. It was kind of spooky. We wondered what was going on, and looked at where the sheepdogs were standing. They still stood calmly at the edge of the fold, but they were looking up into the sky.
         "We looked up to see what it was they were looking at, and then we saw it too. It was a bright star. None of us had ever seen such a clear and beautiful star before. It was almost like well like a magical star! It was so bright. We both looked at it for the longest time. It was funny, but both Uncle Eli and I thought we could hear the star singing."
         The boys listened quietly. Even though they had heard the story many times, this night, as they lay under the stars, it seemed all the more real to them. Looking up at the stars, it was almost like they could see it happening. A shooting star suddenly lit up the sky and then disappeared. There were a few more barks, a few more stirring sheep, and then all was silent again.
         John continued, "That star stayed in the sky for over two years. After nearly two years, some very unusual travelers passed through Capernaum. There was a whole caravan of camels, carts and people who had come from some faraway eastern country--a country we had never heard of before. There were some kings in this caravan. Well, actually, they said they weren't kings, but they sure looked like kings. They were dressed in these rich robes, and some even had crowns on.
         "They camped here for a few days to stock up on supplies. Uncle Eli and I would often go down to their camp to see what was going on. These men talked a lot about the stars, and especially about this one bright star. They said something about it being a sign that a King had been born somewhere."
         Benjamin and James listened--spellbound--as they watched the glistening stars above. A few soft flames licked out of the pile of coals, which had burned down to only a soft glow. James threw a few more sticks on the fire to stoke it up, and then lay back down on the soft grass.
         "Once, Uncle Eli and I got to talk to one of these men. We told him how when we first saw the star, it sang to us. He laughed, and started telling us more about what this star meant. He said that it was a special star, and that it meant that a King had been born. He said that they were going to Bethlehem to find this King, because that was where the star was leading them. Once they found this King, they would return and tell the people who He was. He also said that this King would be a very special King, whose Kingdom would last forever, and that He would bring peace on the Earth. He said that maybe someday we would even get to meet Him.
         "Well, we were all very excited, of course, and it sure made big news in this town. After these kings had left, for days everybody talked about who this special King might be. Some people thought that maybe this King would be the Messiah, who would set us free from the Romans."
         Benjamin's father grew quiet. The boys knew the rest of the story. They had heard that Herod had all the young boys killed in the whole region around Bethlehem. These kings also never came back, like they had said they would. Soon afterwards, the star disappeared, and people stopped talking about this King. Maybe what these men had told them about a king being born wasn't really true at all.
         Still deep in thought, Benjamin and James drifted off to sleep. If only some day they could find out who this mysterious King was supposed to be. Maybe some day he would just show up out of nowhere and say, "I am the King that was born in Bethlehem!" and then everyone would know
* * *
         When Benjamin woke up, it was early morning. The sun was already shining on the hills, and a little lamb played near some rocks right where Benjamin was sleeping. "Oh boy! It's morning already!" thought Benjamin as he squinted in the light of the rising sun. He sat up. Uncle Eli and James, who had finished their last watch, had already gone back home.
         "Well, well, Son! How did you sleep?" called his father, who was up and about with the sheep.
         "Oh, I had such a beautiful dream!" said Benjamin. "It was all about that magical star. I dreamt I saw it, and could hear it singing, and then it even started dancing in the sky!"
         "Oh, really?" said his father with a chuckle. "Well, I'm glad you're rested up. Come, help me milk the goats. Then you can run some milk down to your mother."
         Benji was a hard worker, and it wasn't long before he had filled up a good-sized bucket and was on his way back down the winding path to his home.
         "I'm home, Mother!" Benjamin called out as he stepped inside the house with his bucket of milk.
         "My, what a surprise! Is all that milk for me?"
         "Yes! I milked the goats all by myself and carried the bucket all the way home!"
         "That looks heavy! Thank you so much! You're such a big boy!" Keren encouraged him. Benjamin smiled, pleased with his labors, and took a hearty bite from a piece of fresh bread on the table.
         "Here, why don't you wait around awhile while I fix up some breakfast for you and your father. Then you can take it up to him."
         "All right!" said Benjamin, as he finished his piece of bread and drank a cup of milk.
         "You sure are hungry this morning! How was it last night?" Keren asked Benjamin.
         "Oh, Mother, we had so much fun. James and I carried the firewood all the way up the hill, and then we made a big fire, and Father and Uncle Eli told us stories while we kept an eye on the sheep!"
         "And did the sheep stay safe all night?"
         "Yes, we kept a good eye on them!"
         "Well, that's good for you. I'm glad!" said Keren as she put some slices of homemade cheese on the bread.
         "Mother, do you think that maybe this prophet Jesus, who can do so many miracles, could be the King that these visitors Father met when he was a boy were talking about?"
         "Oh, the Messiah King? No, Sweetie. I don't think so. People say that Jesus comes from Nazareth, but according to our prophets, the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem." She paused for a moment. "But He does seem to be a very special or unusual prophet."
         She remembered the time she had gone to hear Him speak. He had gone up one of the many hills around Capernaum. So many people were following after Him that she decided she would go see for herself what type of person this Jesus was. When all the people had been seated, Jesus started to tell them stories and other things about the Kingdom of Heaven being close by. She didn't understand it all, but He seemed to be a sweet and loving man anyway.
         All the people had stayed till quite late, and when some folks started to head back to get food, Jesus told everyone to sit back down. She never figured out what happened next, but all of a sudden people were just passing around lots of bread and fishes. No one knew how all this food had gotten up there so quickly. She later heard that a boy had given Jesus five loaves and two fishes to eat, but that didn't explain where all this fish and bread for the whole crowd had come from. She couldn't stay much longer after that, and was soon on her way back home, still puzzled by all that had happened. Maybe this is the Messiah, Keren remembered thinking. But no He had come from Nazareth. He couldn't be
         Keren handed Benjamin the package of bread she had made, and he ran out the door, eager to get back to the sheep and his father John.
         "Here, Father! Some bread and cheese for breakfast--from Mother."
         "Oh, thank you, son. You're just in time. One of the lambs seems to be missing, and I can't leave our flocks right now. How would you like to see if you can find it? You shouldn't have to look too far. If you don't find it, come on back and we can pen the sheep and then look further together."
         "Yes, sir!" Benjamin replied boldly, excited that he had been given a mission of finding this lost lamb. He started up the hill, towards some hedges, where he imagined a little wandering lamb would probably like to go. He looked all around but couldn't see anything. So on he went, looking further.
         He didn't mind having to look. He enjoyed walking over these hills, with the trees casting their soft shades over patches of grass and shrubs. He loved feeling the warm sun on his face, and watching its reflection in the distant waters of the Sea of Galilee, where tiny ships scuttled to and fro.
         "Hey, you over there! "
         Benjamin spun around, and saw a group of men sitting by some rocks on the side of the road. He looked around again to see which one of them had called.
         "Yes, you, My lad!!" the voice called again, as a man stood up and motioned Benjamin to come over.
         Benjamin looked closely. Could this be Yes! It was Jesus, the prophet! Benjamin had never seen Jesus so close, and was a little hesitant, but as he got closer he could see Jesus' smiling face, His soft, loving eyes, and His outstretched arms. Benjamin approached Jesus, and was soon standing in front of Him.
         "What is your name, son?" Jesus asked.
         "I am Benjamin, the son of John the shepherd."
         "And how old are you, Benjamin?"
         "I'm seven years old."
         "That's quite a big boy already! Are you a shepherd too, like your father?"
         "Yes, I am, and I'm looking for one of our little lambs who has wandered away from the fold."
         "Oh, that's very good!" said Jesus, as He turned to His disciples around him, and said, "Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
         Benjamin couldn't help but keep looking into Jesus' friendly and loving eyes as He spoke with His disciples. Then Jesus turned back to Benjamin and said:
         "Do you know who I am?"
         "You're the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth, right?"
         "Well, yes. I am. But shall I tell you a little secret? Most people think I come from Nazareth. But do you know that I was actually born in Bethlehem?"
         Benjamin sat on Jesus' lap and listened intently as Jesus told of a stable, a star, and wise men that had come from far away to give Him gifts when He was two years old. He told of how they fled to Egypt, and later came back to Nazareth after Herod had died.
         "So you are the King!" whispered Benjamin, his eyes wide with astonishment.
         "Yes, I am. But My Kingdom is not of this world. My Kingdom is in the hearts of special people like you! You know, pretty soon I will have to leave Capernaum, and this world. But I will always be with you, and I will always be your King, and your Friend! And someday, we can be together forever!"
         Benjamin didn't exactly understand what this meant. But that didn't matter. He had found the King, and the King had found him, and promised that they would be together forever someday.
         "You had better go back to your father now," Jesus said kindly. "The little lamb that was missing has already returned and is safely back with his mother."
         Benjamin wasn't sure how Jesus could know this, but somehow he felt it was true, and he knew that he wouldn't have to keep looking for the little lamb. He ran back over the hills to where his father was watching the sheep.
         "Oh, there you are!" called his father. "It's okay, the little lamb came back on its own. You don't have to look anymore."
         "I know," said Benjamin. "I know "

NOW AND THEN
         The time is now and then. The place is here and there. Come with me, and let's look into the lives of two dear friends.
         Jerry is Here.
         Jerry was pretty satisfied with his life. He had everything he needed, and almost everything he wanted. Nobody bugged him much. He was pretty cool. His life was pretty together. He couldn't think of any major problems he had. Oh, he had occasional falls and stitches, arguments with his brothers and sisters, troubles at school--but nothing major. He'd done well at everything he'd tried.
         He wasn't really looking forward to another Christmas, though. All the relatives had come, and there was lots of food, lots to drink, lots to play with. It would probably be like every other Christmas: happy, nice to see everyone, but it'd be over before he knew it, and he'd get back to his regular routine of life.
         When he was younger, he used to get a lot more excited about Christmas--the new toys, all the food, and playing with all his cousins. He used to hardly be able to sleep the night before Christmas.
         But as he grew older, the magic seemed to disappear. It was just another holiday. He had nothing against Christmas, but on the other hand, there just wasn't all that much to it any more.
* * *
         Now come to There. Shelly is There.
         She's about the same age as Jerry, but there's something different about her. She has a zest, a zip, a spring in her step. She's excited about something. Could it be Christmas?
         It sure looks like it! What a feast is being prepared. I've never seen so much food in all my life! Everything you can imagine is There! All the delicacies you could dream of!--Desserts to make your mouth water, main courses to fill your tummy, drinks galore, appetizers, salads, pastas, breads and cakes; everything imaginable sits there on this banquet table.
         No wonder Shelly's excited, with a feast like that to look forward to.
         It's almost like looking at two pictures--the picture of Jerry in black and white, and the picture of Shelly in brilliant color.
* * *
         Let's get back Here, with Jerry. All the relatives had come to Jerry's house this year for Christmas--the aunts, the cousins, the grandparents and all. Jerry didn't really mind that. The thing he didn't like was that every time they got together, everyone would only talk about themselves--their lives, their kids, their work, their interests, the new things they got, the things they wanted to get and their problems.
         They'd be busy catching up on news about the Jones's and the Smith's. Then when someone would get bored, they'd go and flick on the TV, just adding to the confusion of the scene.
         It used to be more fun to hear what everyone was doing. But after awhile it got to be so much the same. Everyone was doing the same thing, year after year after year. It got so boring. Somehow it seemed to Jerry that there must be more to Christmas--and life--than this.
         Most of Jerry's relatives were well off. They had lots of toys and trinkets to talk about--their boats, their summer houses, or their new cars. But it seemed to Jerry that there was always a better new car. There was always something more you could want.
* * *
         Now let's travel back to There, and see what Shelly's doing. Well, after seeing the feast that's being prepared, Shelly's having a blast anticipating it. She looks around to see who's at the party. Wow! She is flipped out! She sees so many of her loved ones--in fact, all of them! She can hardly wait to embrace them, to enjoy them, to share the love with them that she feels inside.
         Uncle Jim sees her and rushes over to her to give her a hug.
         "Shelly, you're just beautiful. Why, God's light just shines from your face."
         Shelly blushes a little, "Well, He truly has been good to me. Jesus has supplied my every need and taken care of me, and now, look where He's brought me. I am so thrilled."
         "Me, too!" said Uncle Jim, "Me too."
         "Oh, look, there's Aunt Phoebe!" Shelly runs over to Phoebe, and they hug, twirling round and round, and dancing up and down for joy.
         "Oh, I've missed you! It's so good to see you but it almost feels like we've never even been apart. I remember you when you were just a little kid, and here you are a woman, and a beautiful one at that."
         "I'm just so thrilled to be here. I've never felt such love, such warmth, such excitement, such total peace," Shelly exclaims joyfully.
         "There's more to come, lots more to come," Phoebe adds emphatically.
         Shelly can hardly believe it--more than this?! She couldn't have even imagined something this beautiful. Why, everyone just glowed. The beauty, the love, the happiness, the total ecstasy--it was indescribable. Shelly easily became one with the atmosphere, and with all these dear loved ones; some she had known, some she had not, but the love was the same.
         It was just like being in love, only so much better, feeling a special love towards everybody. She was practically floating around.
* * *
         Sorry to bring you down, but we have to get back to Jerry, Here. It was Christmas Eve now, and the time to open the gifts had come. It was their family's tradition to open the presents the night before Christmas. The little kids were all excited, and the parents were having a good time watching as the children unwrapped their presents: a bicycle, a remote control car, dolls that could walk and speak--every gadget under the sun.
         "Jerry, you seem awfully quiet tonight. Something bothering you?" Jerry's dad asked.
         "No, Dad. I'm fine."
         "Well, why don't you go to the kitchen and get yourself a drink?"
         "Okay, Dad," Jerry said listlessly.
         As Jerry stood there alone in the kitchen in silence, his heart cried out for help--for an answer--for something that could fill this emptiness he felt inside. What did toys or gifts mean to him? Sure, it was nice that people remembered him enough to give something, but it all felt so empty.
         Something was missing--something important--but he didn't know what. He put on his jacket, left the kitchen through the back door, and started walking down the street. He had to get out of the house for a while. He needed some air. He needed to breathe. He needed to find some answers.
         As he trudged around the block, he saw a small group of people walking up to one of the houses.
         "What are they doing"? Jerry wondered. "Oh look! They're caroling." Jerry was a little amused. He didn't know people still did that these days. He walked on over to get a closer look, and to hear what they were singing.
         "Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother, and in His Name all oppression shall cease."
         Wow! He had never heard those words before or had he? They sounded familiar. Maybe he'd heard them, but they'd just never registered. But they seemed to mean something to him now. He remained there listening. He knew that he'd never heard the next song before:
         "Come and see Jesus, come and see Love. He is your Savior, your King from Above."
         Jerry suddenly felt overwhelmed with warmth, love, and beauty. It was as if this song reached into the very depths of his heart, touching and warming it. Then came another verse:
         "Come receive Jesus, come receive love."
         Jerry found himself mouthing the words, "I receive Jesus, I receive love."
         As he sang, he was flooded with a peace that passed all his understanding. He didn't know what had come over him, but he knew something had happened. Something was different. The emptiness was gone.
         He walked a little closer, trying to get a better look at these people. One of them turned around. It was a young girl, about his age. She broke out into a big smile.
         "Hi! Do you live around here?" she asked him.
         "Yeah, I live in the neighborhood."
         "Would you like us to come sing at your house?" she asked, still smiling sweetly at him.
         Jerry was a little taken aback. Strangers weren't usually so kind. "Sure, sure," he replied.
         As they walked over to his house, Jerry could hardly believe what was happening. He didn't know what to say.
         Finally he got up the courage to ask this girl, "What was that song you were singing? What was so special about it?"
         The young girl looked at him and said "Did you sing it with us? Did you pray that prayer in your heart?"
         "Yes, I did." Jerry answered.
         "That song was a prayer of salvation. It's a prayer to ask Jesus to come into your life, into your heart. He can make you into a new creature, a new person."
         Jerry could hardly believe his eyes and ears. Somehow, this deepest longing in his heart had been answered. He had found the answer. From that moment, Jerry's life began to come into focus.
         Jerry opened the living room door and said, "Hey, everybody! There's a group of carolers here that want to sing us some songs."
         Everyone politely came to the door and stood there smiling and listening, enjoying the songs.
         "Oh, how beautiful."
         "How lovely."
         "How sweet."
         "How nice," they all said.
         Some were even moved to tears as they were touched with the true spirit of Christmas, of Jesus' love. Jerry was thrilled.
         "Look at you, Jerry! You look like you just got plugged into a wall socket or something. You're all lit up like a Christmas tree!--Sure a difference from what you looked like just a few minutes ago. What did you drink in the kitchen?" his dad asked.
         "Dad, I didn't drink anything. I went for a walk and met these carolers. I guess just realizing what Christmas is all about has changed my life."
         Jerry's life truly did change. That night he got the address and phone number of the nice young girl, and all he could think about from then on was this new life that he had received. He had finally found it--the answer to his emptiness, and something that gave true meaning to his life.
* * *
         Now let's travel back There, and see what Shelly's doing. The gifts are being handed out, all the rewards. Oh, so many beautiful rewards--to all the faithful ones, all the loving ones, the obedient ones. Such joy, such happiness, such perfect love. What a party! What a joyous celebration!
         You see, there was a Star of the party There. As Shelly was about to receive her reward, she looked up into the eyes of One who was total love, total warmth, total forgiveness. He was everything to her. Jesus was the Star here, it was His party. But what a difference from earthly parties. For that party There will be infinitely more exciting, more beautiful, more wonderful, more satisfying, more joyful, than any Here.
         As Shelly walked along after receiving her reward, she walked straight into the arms of Jerry.
         "Shelly! I haven't seen you in ages! Oh, Shelly, I want to thank you for that night--that night you witnessed to me, that night I got saved; that night you were caroling--out in the cold, trying to remind people of Jesus' love. Thank you for touching my heart with His love. Thank you for all the love you showed. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
         Jesus turned around and took them both in His arms. "Well done, My good and faithful servants. Enter into My joy."
         And if you think the story ends there, oh no, it doesn't. Things got even more exciting than you could ever, ever imagine!

RESCUED!
         Karyn Bradford was a young woman in her mid-20's, who seemed to have just about everything in life except for what she wanted most. She and Patrick had met when they were 17, and got married a couple of years later. They were very happy together and loved each other as much as any two people could. They both had successful careers, doing work they enjoyed and that meant something to them.
         Karyn was a pediatrician*, and one of the most tender, gentle, understanding doctors there ever was. She loved helping and caring for little ones. She counted it a privilege to be able to do something good for others with her life. Yet at the same time, sometimes when she was with her patients, her heart would ache deep inside. As she looked at and talked with the parents and children that entered her office, she often longed to be a parent too, with children of her own. But no, it would never be. She'd gone to four or five specialists, and they all confirmed that Karyn would never bear a child.
         In mid-December, as Christmas was drawing near, and twinkling lights sparkled and shone in every direction she looked, Karyn still didn't feel like it was Christmas. One evening she decided to go out for a stroll around their suburban neighborhood, to stretch her legs and get a little crisp, cool, air. Patrick was still at work on a special overtime assignment and wouldn't be home for a while. The quiet of the night was suddenly pierced by the screeching of tires, and Karyn turned around to watch a car flip upside-down just about 20 meters away from where she was standing. It must have gone out of control on the wet, icy road. She was stunned!
         Karyn walked toward the car as quickly as she could, to see what she could do to help. A woman stepped out the front door of one of the nearby houses, wondering what was happening, and Karyn shouted to her, "Quick! Call 911! Call the police! Call an ambulance right away!" Karyn crouched down on the ground to see who was inside and if there was any way she could help them out.
         The woman who'd been driving appeared to be unconscious, and then there was another person in the back no, two a boy who looked to be seven or eight, and a baby in an infant seat. Karyn couldn't see the baby, but could hear its cry. It would take 10 or 15 minutes for the rescue team to arrive, and Karyn's motherly instinct cried out, I have got to get those kids out of there, now!
         Karyn tried opening the door, but it was locked, and jammed shut. She ran around to the other side of the car. That door was locked too. Karyn grabbed a decorative rock from a yard nearby to use to break the window. Just as she managed to shatter the glass, she noticed a large puddle of gasoline leaking out of the car, streaming towards her. The woman, who she assumed must be the mother, was either still unconscious or dead.
         Karyn had to move fast in case the gasoline caught fire and burst into flames. She unlocked the door and was able to pull it open. The young boy was closest to her, so she undid his seatbelt and pulled him out of the car and onto the nearby snowy sidewalk as carefully, yet as quickly as she could. She headed back toward the car for the others, but was halted by a man's firm voice behind her saying, "I'll go in and get the woman and baby. Pull that boy further away; this car's going to blow any second."
         Karyn wasn't one to trust strangers, and she was about to argue that one of them should try and get the woman out while the other got the baby; but something told her to listen to this man. She turned back to move the boy farther away from the car as quickly as she could. She had only carried him about 15 feet away when she heard the roar of the gasoline catching fire. He could never have gotten the mother and baby out in time, Karyn thought, as she put the boy on the ground and covered his body with her own to protect him from any harm.
         She turned to look at the car, now ablaze, expecting the worst, certain that the woman and child would perish and the man who was trying to help would be badly burned. But as she gazed at the burning car she could not see the man or the woman inside.
         She could now hear the sirens and saw the police cars, ambulance and fire truck heading up the road. Surely it was already too late. "Oh, that poor baby!" she cried out. But then, she noticed that the man who had appeared out of nowhere was standing on the sidewalk directly across the street, holding the baby! The woman was also there, lying on the sidewalk, at the man's feet.
         Firefighters quickly put out the blaze. Paramedics opened the ambulance doors, picked up the three injured, laid them on the stretchers and prepared to speed off.
         "I'm a doctor. I am going with you," Karyn told the ambulance driver. Karyn looked around to speak to the man who had rescued the woman and child but could not see him anywhere. There wasn't time to spare. She climbed in the back to help the paramedics attend to the patients. The boy was in shock, and the baby cried fitfully, but the two children didn't appear to have any broken bones or head injuries of any kind, though they would have to run more tests as soon as they arrived at the hospital emergency room. The woman was still unconscious and appeared to have sustained serious injuries.
         Once they arrived at the hospital, the Emergency Rescue crew worked desperately to try to stabilize the woman's condition. Karyn and one of the paramedics tried to make the children comfortable. They carefully examined them, and found, to their relief, that besides some scratches, bumps, and bruises, they were going to be okay. Karyn held and tried to soothe the baby, a gorgeous little blue-eyed girl, who finally calmed down enough to sob herself to sleep. As Karyn laid her down, she heard the boy's voice ask, "Doctor, what happened?"
         Karyn looked up at the boy, and then glanced over to the next room to see the doctors standing over the injured woman, shaking their heads in despair. "Your car flipped over. You and your sister are going to be okay, but " tears started rolling down her cheek as she looked into the boy's eyes.
         "She's hurt bad, isn't she?" he asked, his eyes glancing over to the next bed.
         Karyn tried to comfort him, "Yes, your mother has been hurt quite badly. They are doing all they can to help her, but I just don't know, dear "
         "She's not my mother. She's Aunt Bess, my dad's sister. But she doesn't really like me. Baby Lucy and me, we're just a whole lot of trouble for her--that's what she always says. She says she just takes care of us because she has to, because there's no one else who can or wants to."
         "Where is your father now? Could I call him for you?"
         "My dad died of cancer last year," he responded, his eyes downcast.
         "Oh, I'm sorry! What about your mother?" She asked hesitantly.
         "I don't know where she lives now. After Dad died, Mom just couldn't handle it, so now she's all messed up, drinks and sleeps all the time. She said she just can't take care of us anymore. That's why we had to go live with Aunt Bess."
         With tears in her eyes Karyn got up. "You try and get some rest, okay?" Karyn walked over to the bed where Bess lay. All but one doctor and a paramedic had left momentarily to go help elsewhere in the emergency room. Just as Karyn approached the bed, Bess opened her eyes. She seemed to know right where she was and what had happened to her, and that she wasn't going to make it through this one.
         She looked at Karyn and softly whispered, "It's my time, I'm going now. I've been selfish, I haven't lived the life I should have, or done what I should have, not even for my own brother's kids. Doctor, will you do something for me?"
         "Whatever you ask," said Karyn.
         "Find someone to take care of those kids--someone that'll not just feed them and clothe them like I did, but someone who'll love them, play with them, tuck them in at night and read stories to them, all that kind of stuff.--Promise me, please! Find someone who'll do for them what I should have done for them!"
         "I will," said Karyn, "I think I know just the right person."
         Bess started to drift away, but opened her eyes one last time to whisper, "I've got to thank Robert for saving me and baby Lucy. I've got to thank Robert he pulled the two of us out just in time."
         "I'll try to find him. Who's Robert?" Karyn asked but Bess was gone.
         Karyn sat down and tried to compose herself. She was interrupted by the footsteps of eight-year-old Bobby, who'd gotten up from his bed and now stood by his aunt's bedside. He looked at her solemnly, with a tear in his eye, as he said, "Well, at least her and daddy are gonna be together now in Heaven."
         Karyn called Patrick, who was home by now, and tried to stay as calm as she could while she told him all that had just happened. "Could you come down to the hospital and take me home, please?"
         When Patrick arrived 15 minutes later, Karyn gently asked him, "What would you say if I told you we might have a baby in our house by Christmas?"
         "Well, that would be a dream come true or maybe I'd say you were crazy. You need some rest, Honey. What are you talking about?"
         "What would you think if I told you we could also have a little boy with us for Christmas?"
         "Whose children are we talking about here?"
         "Maybe ours. Bobby and Lucy need a home and caring parents: That was Bess' dying wish, and I promised her I'd find someone ... and well, I can't think of anyone who needs them more than us, can you?"
         Patrick's puzzled expression was interrupted by a child's voice, "You'll really take us home with you for Christmas?" Little Bobby had been listening in on this conversation all along from his bed.
         "We'll try, son," Patrick said as he squeezed Karyn's hand. "We'll get in touch with your mother and see what we can work out."
         The next morning Karyn and Patrick located Andrea, Bobby and Lucy's mother. She cried as she thanked Karyn over and over for saving her children's lives, and for being willing to take them into their home. "I just can't keep them, I can't do anything for them. I'm too weak. Ever since Robert--my husband--died, I haven't been able to get a hold of myself or do anything good for myself or for anybody. But knowing that they're in good hands makes me so happy. I'm going to try and get help. Tomorrow morning I'm going to the New Life Help Center. I'm going to try to change. Maybe someday I'll be able to be a mother to them, but they need you now."
         "They could stay with us for the Christmas holidays," Patrick said, "and then after the New Year, we'll come and talk with you about the custody arrangement."
         Andrea smiled and said, "Oh, thank you! You're an answer to my prayers."
         "Did you say their father's name was Robert?" asked Karyn.
         "Yes, we named little Bobby after him. But please, let's not talk about him, not just now. I can't. Will you excuse me for a minute?"
         Andrea got up and went to the bathroom, and Bobby, who'd been listening by the door--as usual--walked over to Patrick and Karyn.
         "Wanna see a picture of my dad? Mom doesn't ever like to look at it, but I keep it in my wallet," he said as he opened his wallet, and pulled out a worn picture of a man.
         Karyn looked at the picture and gasped.
         "Are you okay, honey?" Patrick asked. "What is it?"
         "Remember the man I told you about who pulled Bess and baby Lucy out of the car and I couldn't find him later? It's him! It's the man in the picture, Robert, their father!"
         She continued, "It did seem impossible that anyone could have rescued them that quickly. I guess it's even more impossible being that it was a man who's not even alive!"
         Karyn looked up and said "Well, Bess, I guess you'll thank Robert yourself, won't you?"
         "Honey, what would you think about inviting Andrea to our house over Christmas?" Patrick whispered softly to his wife.
         "Why, that's an excellent idea. I'm sure it would do her some good. She looks like she's just been holed up here for God knows how long--and all alone."
         At first Andrea protested, but Patrick and Karyn insisted that it was alright, that they would be happy to have her over, and she agreed to give it a try. And so it was that a week later, Patrick and Karyn, together with Andrea, little Bobby and Lucy, enjoyed the first of many wonderful Christmases together--a family brought together by love, by tragedy, by kindness and compassion and by a miracle!

THE SHY SHEPHERD
         Ever since he was little, James loved to see the Christmas story acted out. The play was performed every Christmas for the community, and different grades at school would participate. He loved the whole story, about Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem to pay the taxes, Joseph's love for Mary and his concern for his pregnant wife, both of them being very desperate to find a room when they were in Bethlehem because all the inns were full, and how they had to go from door to door pleading for help. He loved watching the shepherd boys being called by the angels to go and visit Jesus. He enjoyed watching the play so very much; hearing the songs that were sung, the words that were said and seeing all of the actors dressed in their costumes.
         He himself was an extremely shy boy, and although he wanted to act in the play, he never thought that he could get up in front of people like that. He admired the people that did, but he didn't think that he could do it. Once again Christmas was drawing near, and the youth director was assigning the parts for the Christmas play. James really wanted to play the part of one of the shepherd boys, but he was so shy and timid that he didn't even want to say anything about it.
         The youth director went around to all of the different Sunday school classes and announced, "Once again we are selecting people to take part in the Christmas play. This is strictly voluntary, and anybody that wants to can sign up." He didn't want to put anybody on the spot. "I'd like to ask for anyone interested to please write your name, your grade, and the part that you want to play on one of these slips of paper and turn it in after class."
         Most kids were interested in signing up, but became even more interested when the youth director went on to explain that there would be prizes for each participant this year. Many of the boys wanted to be Joseph, and many of the girls wanted to be Mary. But James didn't think he could bring himself to volunteer to be in the play.
         Jenny, the assistant to the youth director, knew how enthusiastic James was about the Christmas play, and that he really loved the story. But she also knew how very shy he was. When James did not turn in a volunteer slip, Jenny decided that after Sunday school she would ask him about it.
         "James," she said, pulling him aside after class, "I noticed that you didn't ask to be in the Christmas play again this year. Are you sure you wouldn't like to give it a try?"
         "Well," James replied, a bit embarrassed, "I just don't think I could get up in front of all those people."
         But Jenny was determined, "Then I know the perfect part for you to play. If you play the part of the shepherd boy who stays back with the sheep while the other shepherds go and see Jesus, you would not have to be up front much at all."
         James was excited at this possibility to be part of the play, but as enthusiastic as he felt about the idea, even that amount of performing seemed like a lot. "Well, I don't know if I could do that."
         "Really, James, you wouldn't have to say very much at all. It's a small part and I think you would do well."
         After a moment of thought, James decided to give it a try.
         The big day came and it was announced who was going to play what part. Bill was chosen to be Joseph. He would surely play the part very well, because he was very outgoing. Jane was going to be Mary. She was very pretty and certainly fit for the role. James was very excited about the little part that he had been chosen to play. Of course, he didn't have to do very much. He would be off to the side caring for the sheep with the other shepherds. He was actually the youngest in the bunch, and would only be saying a couple of words. He practiced his lines with enthusiasm and played his part eagerly as they rehearsed.
         In the play, the angel appears and invites the shepherds to come and see Jesus, Who had been born that night. Not all the shepherds could go, because someone had to stay with the sheep. So when the shepherds asked who would volunteer to stay by the sheep, James simply had to respond and say, "I will stay behind and watch the sheep."
         Finally it was the day of the Christmas play! Notices had been passed around inviting all those in the neighborhood. The church was soon packed, and even the senior citizens from a nearby lodge had come to watch the children perform. All was going well, just as they had rehearsed, with Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem, songs and Christmas carols sung throughout the play, Mary and Joseph finding the stable and baby Jesus being born.
         Then it was time for the shepherds to come on stage, and soon the moment would come when James would have to step forward and say his line. The shepherds were off on one side of the stage in a hillside setting. A few young toddlers were dressed as sheep. Then the big spotlight shone over onto the shepherds.
         Because James knew what came next in the story, and that all the shepherds were going to see Jesus, he got carried away with the feelings in his heart. Suddenly the angel of the Lord came and appeared before the shepherds: "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
         A number of other angels entered, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
         Then the oldest shepherd began his lines. "Come, we must go and see Jesus as the angel has instructed us. Who will stay and keep the sheep?" and he turned to look at James.
         James did not respond, and in the few silent moments that followed, the eyes of all the other shepherds turned to look at James. Was he nervous? Had he become tongue-tied with stage fright? Why wasn't he saying his lines?
         Again the older shepherd repeated, "Do we have a volunteer who will stay back and watch over the sheep while we go and see Jesus?"
         James hesitated again for a moment, and then he could hold back no longer. He burst out and exclaimed, "But I want to go see Jesus! I want to go see Jesus."
         "Oh no, that's not what he is supposed to say," Jenny thought, as she watched in stunned silence to see what would happen. The other shepherds looked at James with puzzled expressions on their faces, but James loved Jesus so much, and was determined to go see Him. The audience didn't realize that this wasn't part of the play, and they thought it was cute. Another shepherd quickly volunteered to stay back, and the others went on to the manger to see Jesus.
         The rest of the Christmas play passed without incident, and the show was a great success. The audience clapped and clapped when it was over.
         The following Sunday, the youth director presented everyone with their prizes. He stood up in front of the class and said, "You all were tremendous and Jenny will be passing out the prizes you have earned. But before we start, we want to award a special prize to one of our new actors. James, would you come up here, please?"
         James could not believe what he was hearing. His face flushed a deep red, but sported a big smile of happiness. Humbly James walked up to receive the prize, as the youth director continued, "We have decided to give James this special token of our recognition. This was James' first time to act in the play, and overcoming his stage fright was a big step for him. But he overcame and played his part enthusiastically and with all his heart. So James, I am proud to present you with this special prize."
         Everyone stood up and cheered and clapped for James. All this attention was almost more than he could take. But deep inside he did feel good, like he had done the right thing. He was glad that he had let Jenny talk him into being in the Christmas play, even if it had been difficult for him at first, and even though he didn't do his part the way he had planned and practiced. In that one moment on stage, his love for Jesus had conquered his fears--and he, too, had been able to come and see Jesus.

A CHRISTMAS EVE FRIEND
         It was a snowy Christmas Eve, and Jane, who had turned 11 only a few weeks before, looked longingly out of her window. She was lost in a little world of her own thoughts and memories. She had so much hoped that her father could be home for Christmas. He was a doctor, and was often away making house calls. She had hoped that on this day he would not be called away, so that they could spend time together as a family.
         However, the inevitable had happened, and her father had been called away to a home across town where a mother was expecting a child that night. As much as she liked little babies, she knew that a delivery was likely to keep her father away longer than a regular house call. And so she sat, looking wistfully out of her window, waiting, hoping--half dreaming--that any moment she would see the headlights of his car pulling up into the driveway. The snow was falling softly. Other than the fact that her father was not there, it was a perfect Christmas Eve.
         "Jane," her mother called up the stairs, "your father just called, and he said that he will probably not be back before eight o'clock. If you're hungry, you can just grab a bite to eat, okay? We'll save dinner till your father gets back home."
         "All right, Mom," Jane responded. She turned to look at the clock on her dresser; five o'clock. Three more hours and nothing to do. Oh, Dad, why did you have to go on Christmas Eve? she thought to herself.
         "Jane," it was her mother's voice again, "I'm going over to see Mrs. Cornwall across the street. Would you like to come? It will probably just be an hour or so. I'm bringing her some of the cookies you helped me bake yesterday."
         "No, Mom. Just go ahead. I really don't feel like it right now. I'll just watch some television or something."
         "Well, all right, honey. I'll be back soon."
         "Thanks, Mom. Maybe next time."
         Jane heard the front door close as her mom left the house. She sauntered down the stairs and headed for the living room. On the table lay a number of magazines that she had gone through picking out things she had wanted most for Christmas. But even the anticipation of opening her gifts that night could not pull her out of the feelings of resentment and disappointment that she felt at having her father gone on Christmas Eve.
         She walked over and turned on the television set, then plopped down on the comfy sofa with the remote control. She started flipping through the channels, stopping to watch a cartoon for a few moments, and then switched to a few different channels. There was nothing that caught her interest. She went over to the closet where the videos were kept, but she didn't feel like watching any of those either. So she turned off the television and headed back up to her room.
         On her way up, she noticed one of her gloves on the floor in the hallway. "Hmm, maybe I'll just go outside and walk around for a while. Maybe then I'll think of something to do." She put on her coat, hat, gloves, and scarf and headed out to the street. Having no particular idea of where to go, she just started walking. Pretty soon she came to the park that lay in the center of the village. She walked across its white lawns, her footprints mingling with the hundreds of others that had been there before her. She kicked up the remains of a snowball, and was about to turn around when a movement off to the side caught her eye.
         She turned, but saw nothing. She looked again, and it was then that she noticed someone hunched up and shivering inside the little wooden children's playhouse at the corner of the playground. She slowly walked over to see who it was.
         "Hello?" she called questioningly, as she approached the little wooden structure, "Are you okay?"
         "I guess so," a hoarse voice answered, and a girl lifted her head out of the sparse bundle of clothing she was wrapped in. Her face looked pale and white as she started coughing badly.
         "Oh " Jane stammered at the unexpected sight. The girl seemed to be close to her own age. "Who uh what's your name?"
         "They call me Candy," the girl replied feebly.
         "Candy? What are you doing out here? Where do you come from?"
         The girl mumbled something that Jane didn't understand and then broke out into another spell of coughing.
         "Oh dear!" Jane thought. "I can't leave her out here like this! She's sick. What am I going to do?"
         Jane pulled off her coat, and shivered at the rush of cold air that enveloped her. She hadn't dressed all that warmly herself, but she had to do something to help this poor girl. She held out her coat to the girl, and helped her to get her arms in.
         "Thank you " Candy said softly, suppressing another cough.
         "Come on, we've got to get you to some place warm. Come with me!" Jane boldly grabbed her hand and helped Candy to her feet. Candy faltered awkwardly, her legs numb from the cold. "Come on, you have to try to walk at least," Jane said, with a note of irritation in her voice. She was getting quite cold herself. "I'm not going to carry you."
         Candy looked tearfully up at Jane, but did her best to regain the feeling in her legs and walk. Ever so slowly, with Candy holding on to Jane, they made their way back to Jane's house. Jane couldn't seem to get that door open fast enough. She quickly shut the door behind them and helped Candy pull off her thin, soaked, cloth tennis shoes.
         "Come on over here and sit by the fire. You can take off those wet clothes, and I'll get you something warm. There's no one else here but us." Jane threw a few more logs into the open fireplace, ran out and came back moments later with a towel and one of her nightgowns. "Here, try this on."
         Candy shyly undressed and dried herself with the towel, and then put on the nightgown, which fit her snugly.
         "Now come on the couch, and I'll get you a blanket to keep you warm," Jane instructed.
         Candy lay down on the comfortable couch, and Jane covered her with a blanket. Candy looked up at Jane, and through her misty eyes and hoarse voice managed to get out another "Thank you."
         "Here, watch some television. I'll be right back!" Jane said. She switched on the television and handed Candy the remote control. But Candy paid little attention to the television. Her eyes wandered back and forth, and then fixated on the large Christmas tree off in the corner. The blinking lights danced around in her eyes. She couldn't remember ever having seen a more beautiful Christmas tree.
         Jane soon returned from the kitchen with a bowl of instant chicken soup for Candy. She knelt down beside the couch and lifted a spoonful to Candy's mouth. Candy eagerly swallowed the good-smelling broth spoon by spoon, and it wasn't long before the bowl was empty.
         Candy started warming up, and was now regaining feeling in her numbed fingers and limbs. After accepting a second bowl of chicken soup, she sat up.
         "There, how do you feel now?" Jane asked.
         "Oh, much better. Thank you so much. You're so kind," Candy replied between a few coughs.
         "Keep that blanket around your shoulders," Jane said. "Now, tell me again, where did you come from, and why were you at the playground all by yourself?"
         "I've run away from my home," Candy began, and tears started to fill her eyes. "I never want to go back!" she cried emphatically. "Never!"
         "Shh, it's okay. Don't get upset. Just relax. Don't worry about it." Jane tried to encourage her.
         "I'm a foster child*, you see," Candy's voice took on a softer tone again. "I've gone from one family to another. But now I've had it. They don't really care about me, so I've run away and I never want to go back again."
         Jane knew about foster children. There were a few who attended her school. Most of them didn't seem to be very happy, but she had never seen one this unhappy. She never thought much about what life must have been like for them, but now she was filled with love and compassion for this girl who was so much like herself, and yet so different.
         All of a sudden it didn't matter to Jane anymore whether her father was at home or not. It didn't matter that she was bored. All she wanted to do was help this poor girl have a good Christmas Eve.
         "Would you like to play a game?" Jane asked.
         "Huh, uh sure. What game?" Candy asked.
         Jane pulled a few board games out of the cupboard, and soon they were both busy laughing and playing. So busy, in fact, that neither of them noticed when Jane's mom returned from her visit with old Mrs. Cornwall.
         "Well, hello you two. What is happening here?" Jane's mother kindly asked, seeing Candy, and noticing the pile of wet clothes strewn on the floor in front of the fireplace.
         "Oh, Mom, you're back! This is my friend, Candy. She she was all alone in the park, so I I asked her to come home with me so we could play some games."
         "Well, hello, Candy. It's nice to meet you!" Jane's mother said, leaving her questions unspoken so that Jane and Candy could continue their game. She went to pick up the wet clothes and hang them up to dry.
         Candy looked over at Jane. It had been a long time since anyone had called her a friend. Her eyes went misty again and she broke out into another coughing spell.
         Jane's mother came back to the room when she heard the cough. "That doesn't sound good, my dear. You had better be getting home soon so you can get some rest."
         Candy looked fearfully over at Jane, who said, "Mom, but she can stay the night, can't she? We're having so much fun together."
         "Jane, can I talk to you for a moment?"
         Jane recognized her mother's serious tone of voice, and told Candy that she would be right back. They went into the kitchen where Jane answered all her mother's questions, explaining about Candy, where she had come from, and why she wanted her to stay. Mother agreed to not do anything drastic until Jane's father arrived.
         Jane went back to continue the game with Candy, but somehow it didn't seem as much fun anymore. She was concerned about what would happen to Candy when her father got home. She tried to put these feelings aside, and for Candy's sake, enjoy the game together, but Candy was clearly also concerned about what would happen to her now.
         The game was soon interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into the driveway and someone coming up the steps. Jane glanced at the clock. It was half past six. It couldn't be her father. "Then who is it?" she thought, and looked anxiously back and forth between the door and Candy.
         Jane's mother opened the door for a man with an armload of groceries and packages. Jane jumped up at the sound of the familiar voice. "Dad!" she exclaimed, running to the door. "You're home! You're home already!"
         "Yes, dear. The delivery was very quick, it was so easy that I didn't have to stay long at all. Now, let's have some dinner. I'm starving!"
         Mother proceeded to the kitchen to warm up the prepared dinner in the microwave.
         "Oh, Dad, come meet my friend Candy," she tugged at his hand, and then lowered her voice to a whisper. "She ran away from her foster home, but Mom said it was okay for her to stay here till you got home."
         Her father's face grew serious as he went in to see Candy bundled up on the couch. Candy looked up at Jane's father and cracked a polite smile, then broke into coughing again.
         "That's quite a serious cough, young lady." Jane's father reached into his medical bag and pulled out a bottle of cough syrup.
         "This is Candy, Dad," Jane said. "She's a foster child, and I found her freezing in the park."
         "Well, this is quite a serious matter. I am sure there must be some very worried people out looking for you right now. I am sure they are not having a very nice Christmas Eve. Do you think it would be a good idea to at least let them know where you are and that you are safe?"
         Candy thought it over for a moment, "Well, I guess we could but I'm not going back there!" she added firmly.
         "Would it be okay with you if I called them and had them come over and we could all discuss the situation together?"
         Candy did not seem to relish the idea, but at last agreed and Dad made the phone call. Dad was right, the people had been frantically looking for Candy everywhere and were just about to call the police and the Welfare Department. Soon they were on the doorstep and Dad was showing them in and offering them some Christmas eggnog. Dad talked quietly with them in the kitchen for some time.
         In no time all the hurt and tension was gone and the living room was filled with joy and laughter. Candy and her foster family were reconciled and had cleared away their misunderstandings, hugged and made up. And Jane had found a new and what turned out to be a lifelong friend.
         Jane learned a very special lesson about the joy of putting the happiness of others above her own. Now she understood her father better and was very thankful for him. All the resentment she had felt earlier melted away. Her dad had dedicated his life to helping others who needed him. There was just one of him to go around, and sometimes people even needed him on Christmas Eve. But what better day to help people through a problem than on Christmas Eve?
         A funny thought hit Jane as she sat by her new friend and gazed over at the tiny nativity scene by the tree. Thank God that Jesus didn't decide to just stay at home in Heaven with His own family that first Christmas Eve, or there never would have been a Christmas. Jesus, the Great Physician, made a very important house call to Earth that night, to bring God's message of love, hope, joy and salvation to everyone.

Definitions included throughout booklet:
         *meager: not enough; scanty
         *ashen: pale in color
         *exasperated: impatient; annoyed
         *pediatrician: a doctor who specializes in the care of children, and the treatment of children's diseases
         *foster child: a child assigned by a welfare department to live with a family not his or her own because they could not be properly cared for by their natural parents

(End of file.)


Copyright (c) 1998 by Aurora Productions