The First Noel

"The first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay."

Jeremiah rubbed his eyes sleepily, unsure of what had awakened him. He glanced over at his father's sheep grazing nearby. They seemed fine. But he heard a murmur coming from behind him. He turned, then shielded his eyes from the sun to see three older shepherds pointing frantically.

Then the absurdity of what he was doing struck him. Shielding his eyes from the sun. Jeremiah had seen the sun set before he nodded off. He turned frantically towards the light he had been blocking. It wasn't harsh or blinding. It was a beautiful, brilliant star.

Now Jeremiah had spent his life it seemed in this fields. Dozing through the evening while the sheep grazed, before heading home. He had seen bright full moons and star-filled nights. But he had never seen anything like this. He had never seen a star so bright. A star that seemed so close. A star that seemed to call to his soul and beckon him to come to it.

He sat with the other shepherds that night and watched that star. The sheep were calm, more peaceful than usual. He and the shepherds watched others walk by, men answering the call of the star and intent to find its origin. Jeremiah knew like these men new that something spectacular was occurring. And he hoped that the feelings of hope and awe and humility and camaraderie would never leave.