Eitan stood between Eran and Adiya watching the God-child lying in a manger. Mary had swaddled the Creator of the universe in strips of cloth. The love of a mother caring for the love of God. His name was Jesus, salvation come to earth. Emanuel, God with us. The God-child stirred and fussed. Mary spoke to the baby in the universal-high-pitched chatter of baby language. She picked up the God-child and suckled him.
“Stay with them,” said Eitan. “I have business to which to attend.” He walked outside the stable and listened with amazement at the silence of the night. The Festival of Sukkot should be a joyous event. A time for staying outside in makeshift shelters. A time of community celebration to remember a time when God dwelt with them in the desert—leading them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Once again God dwelt with them, and no one even knew of His presence. It would not do. The God-child would be worshipped by more than the angels and animals.
He spread his wings and rose into the sky. Instead of approaching the town, he made for the hills where the sheep slept. He descended next to a campfire around which a group of shepherds warmed themselves. He pulled out a ram’s horn and gave a loud call that echoed across the countryside.
The fire whipped and sparks flew into the sky as Eitan materialized into the physical domain. The glory of being in the presence of the God-child rippled through his outstretched opalescent wings. Barely more than half his height, the young men fell to the ground in fright.
The mere teenagers studied his wings and the lion embossed on his breastplate. He held his helmet under his arm so as not to induce more fear than necessary.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Eitan, “for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” A couple of the shepherds glanced over their shoulder to where the little town lay. “This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
A multitude of the heavenly host had responded to the call of the ram’s horn. Eitan asked the Father to open the eyes of the shepherds to see the host. Not since Elisha’s servant, had a human observed such a multitude of angels.
The shepherds pulled their heads back and shielded their eyes at such a sight.
In a unified melodic voice the angelic host praised God. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”
The shepherds lowered their hands indicating their sight into the unseen dominion faded. Eitan also slipped back into the unseen.
One of the shepherds said to the others, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried into town, leaving the sheep unattended.
Eitan ordered a few of the angles to look after the flock. Then he followed the shepherds. They arrived at the stable and fell to their knees before the God-child. Eitan also prostrated himself when he entered the presence of the Creator-become-creation.
The shepherds quietly told Mary and Joseph all that had occurred in the fields, of what the angel told them about the child. With the commotion of the shepherds entering town, gradually others filtered out of the homes to see the source of the excitement. Word spread from the shepherds to others who were amazed at their message.
All who saw the child, left rejoicing and praising God. Especially, the lowly shepherds whom God had chosen to elevate to the place of proclaiming His good news.
All Scripture from Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
“Stay with them,” said Eitan. “I have business to which to attend.” He walked outside the stable and listened with amazement at the silence of the night. The Festival of Sukkot should be a joyous event. A time for staying outside in makeshift shelters. A time of community celebration to remember a time when God dwelt with them in the desert—leading them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Once again God dwelt with them, and no one even knew of His presence. It would not do. The God-child would be worshipped by more than the angels and animals.
He spread his wings and rose into the sky. Instead of approaching the town, he made for the hills where the sheep slept. He descended next to a campfire around which a group of shepherds warmed themselves. He pulled out a ram’s horn and gave a loud call that echoed across the countryside.
The fire whipped and sparks flew into the sky as Eitan materialized into the physical domain. The glory of being in the presence of the God-child rippled through his outstretched opalescent wings. Barely more than half his height, the young men fell to the ground in fright.
The mere teenagers studied his wings and the lion embossed on his breastplate. He held his helmet under his arm so as not to induce more fear than necessary.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Eitan, “for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” A couple of the shepherds glanced over their shoulder to where the little town lay. “This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
A multitude of the heavenly host had responded to the call of the ram’s horn. Eitan asked the Father to open the eyes of the shepherds to see the host. Not since Elisha’s servant, had a human observed such a multitude of angels.
The shepherds pulled their heads back and shielded their eyes at such a sight.
In a unified melodic voice the angelic host praised God. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”
The shepherds lowered their hands indicating their sight into the unseen dominion faded. Eitan also slipped back into the unseen.
One of the shepherds said to the others, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried into town, leaving the sheep unattended.
Eitan ordered a few of the angles to look after the flock. Then he followed the shepherds. They arrived at the stable and fell to their knees before the God-child. Eitan also prostrated himself when he entered the presence of the Creator-become-creation.
The shepherds quietly told Mary and Joseph all that had occurred in the fields, of what the angel told them about the child. With the commotion of the shepherds entering town, gradually others filtered out of the homes to see the source of the excitement. Word spread from the shepherds to others who were amazed at their message.
All who saw the child, left rejoicing and praising God. Especially, the lowly shepherds whom God had chosen to elevate to the place of proclaiming His good news.
All Scripture from Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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