A Shepherd's Night

Daniel shivered and pulled his thin cloak closer around his shoulders. With lips that were quickly growing numb he softly blew on the small flute that he carried around with him. A high note pierced the cold night air, and soon he was playing a shaky tune. He glanced down at the group of sheep he was supposed to be watching. They were fine. He continued to play, trying to take away some of the night's boredom.

"You're coming along nicely, Daniel," one of the older shepherds called softly from where he sat a little ways off. "Keep practicing. Though I doubt you'll ever be anything but a shepherd, you are quite good on that little flute."

The young shepherd stopped playing and smiled. "Thank you. At least this little flute gives me something to do."

"Aye," the old shepherd agreed. "The night watches can be dark and lonely. It is nice to have something to pass the time. It is nice for me as well. I do not have to listen to the night sounds only. And it makes you think of your father, does it not?"

Daniel swallowed and nodded. "Yes." His reply was only a whisper that would be hard to hear in normal circumstances, yet the gentle breeze carried the single word through the night air over to the elderly shepherd. "It does, Jacob."

Jacob slowly nodded and then smiled kindly at Daniel. "It's a shame you were orphaned so young."

"Why should you care?" Daniel asked sharply. Sharper than he had meant to.

"Because it truly is a shame, and I care about you, Daniel." Jacob answered kindly. "So does God," he added.

Daniel grunted and shook his head. "I believe that you care about me, but you and I both know that I do not believe in your God."

"Perhaps you should." Daniel looked over and saw his old friend smiling at him. "You have a talent for piping on that," Jacob continued. "It could be greatly used for Jehovah."

Laughing, Daniel leaned back against a rock. "Why would your Jehovah ever use a poor orphaned shepherd boy? He doesn't care about me. No one does, except you, Jacob."

"I've raised you since you were orphaned when you were four, and I've taught you Jehovah's ways. After eleven years with me, you still haven't learned anything, have you?"

"I have learned much from you, Jacob," Daniel answered. "But I can make my own choices as to whether or not I believe the things you teach me about Jehovah, can I not?"

"I suppose you can. But know this, Daniel. I pray to God for you every night, and I will continue to do so."

Daniel shook his head again, but he was still smiling. He began to think about his father and mother. He only remembered them a little bit. Mostly he remembered that his father had given him the flute he held in his hand. Both of his parents had been killed by highway robbers when Daniel was only four. Jacob was an elderly shepherd who lived nearby to Daniel's home. He had never married. After Daniel's parents died, Jacob took care of Daniel and raised him like a son, teaching him to be a shepherd as well. Though he was not Jewish by birth, Jacob believed everything the Jews taught, and had taught Daniel as well. It was only a couple years ago that Daniel had decided not to believe in the God of the Hebrews.

"What a beautiful night!" Jacob exclaimed, interrupting Daniel's thoughts. "Praise be to Jehovah for making such a wonderful world! Just look at that star!"

Wonderful world? Daniel often wondered about Jacob. How could he praise this Jehovah? Jacob, who was a poor, unmarried shepherd. He was a nomad, not having much of a real home to go to, and for the most part he was shunned by society. Yet here he was, praising God for a wonderful world.

Daniel sighed, but looked up to see what star Jacob was referring to. The sight made him catch his breath. The star lit the entire sky, and Daniel noticed for the first time that it also illuminated the hillside, even enough for him to see the other shepherds who were watching their sheep quite a ways off. Whether the world was wonderful or not, the night certainly was beautiful.

Something about tonight was different. Even the sheep seemed to know it. They were, well, excited, it seemed. But about what? He didn't know. Yet, he could sense it as well. Something was about to happen. He felt it in his bones, though he didn't understand why. Jacob seemed even more excited, though Daniel doubted that the old shepherd knew the reason any more than he himself did.

Suddenly the entire hillside was lit up brighter than during the day time. The light was so bright that Daniel cried out and covered his smarting eyes, dropping his flute. The light grew a little less intense, and Daniel squinted into it. He seemed to see the silhouette of a man.