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I used this story every effectively as the "sermon" for the Children's and Family Christmas Eve Service. If you come across this site, I would encourage you to use it. It is well-received. LRS

The Shepherd Boy

By Ruby Peregrine

The air was crisp and still. Scarcely a sound could be heard save for an occasional bleating of a lamb. Far up the hillside a tiny fire flickered, throwing a light upon the forms that hovered over it. The men were sturdy shepherds dressed in coals of loosely woven cloth. They were weary from the long journey with their sheep. Only Dan, a lad of ten, seemed to be awake to the beauties of the night about him. He sat gazing into the heavens as he strummed his harp. Then in the spirit of worship he began to sing the old shepherd psalm. One of the shepherds roused himself and exclaimed, in a scolding voice, "Dan, why do you play that harp? Don't you know that you disturb me?"

"I'm sorry if you are annoyed," Dan replied, "I shall go over on the other side of the hill by myself."

"But why do you play that harp anyway?" the old shepherd replied, not satisfied just to have Dan go away.

Dan knew that the old man would laugh at him. He did not understand his dreams, but slowly he answered him, "I wish to learn to play as well as David of old. I want to make my harp strings ring out beautiful music. Perhaps, someday, I might play for a king, as did David."

The old shepherd laughed loudly, rousing the other shepherds. "You, lad, learn to play as well as David? David was a musician. Not even a babe could stand to hear you play. If that is why you strum that harp you might as well quit now."

The other shepherds began to take notice of the talk about the harp. "There is no king of Israel now, Dan," Isaac said, "How could you ever play for a king?"

"Oh, I have heard the Scriptures read, and I have heard stories from my mother. There is a new king coming someday to reign over David's kingdom. I want to learn to play beautiful music so I can play for the Baby Prince." Dan went off a little way from the others and sat down land began to softly strum his harp.

"I am going to sleep for a little while. Will you watch over my sheep, Dan?" called Isaac as he stretched out on the ground in front of the fire.

"Yes, I will, Isaac," called back Dan, cheerfully.

Then the other shepherds began to prepare for a nap. They, too, wanted Dan to watch their sheep. Even old Levi, who had scolded him called rather sternly, "And watch my flock, too, lad."

Dan replied cheerfully that he would care for Levi's sheep. Surely the old man meant no harm when he scolded him. As soon as he thought the men were asleep he began to strum his harp and sing the 'Shepherd's Psalm'. Suddenly he stopped! There seemed to be music in the air. A strange song! A new song seemed to charm him as he sat and listened. It grew nearer and nearer. He suddenly jumped to his feet.

"What is this I hear?" he cried, as he ran toward the shepherds. They, too, were startled. They heard voices singing, as though they were angels. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."

The shepherds were afraid and fell on the ground trembling. "Don't be afraid," an angel said to them, "for behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

Then there was a multitude of angels singing 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is pleased.'

The shepherds listened with awe. Their vision touched them deeply. They sat quietly for a moment. Then the youngest of them said eagerly, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what this is all about."

"Benjamin is right," Matthew replied, "we must go to Bethlehem. It may be that a king of Israel is born, for something wonderful has happened."

The shepherds arose and started down the hillside. Dan quickly picked up his harp, tucked it under his arm and followed after the men. "Are you going, Dan?" Levi asked with a sharp voice.

"That I am, Levi," Dan answered excitedly.

"Then why do you take your harp?"

Dan hesitated. He did not know that Levi saw him tuck his harp under his arm. He knew that he would make fun of him, but he smiled at the old man and said rather slowly, "I thought, perhaps, I might play for the Babe in the manger, and if he were the king of Israel. . ."

The old shepherd interrupted him. "You dreamer, lad. Lay your harp down if you are going with us."

"Aye, no," begged Dan, "I pray you don't scold me. I want to take my harp."

The old shepherd went on for he feared that he couldn't keep up with the others. But he called back to Dan, "if you tarry, you will be left behind."

Dan did not care if the other went before him. It was almost dawn and he could see them as they went down the hill. He stopped to tune the strings on his harp. Then he again tucked it under his arm and started to run toward Bethlehem. He had not gone far when he heard a faint cry. Dan knew that it was the cry of a lamb lost or in pain. He picked up his staff and rod. He could not pass by a sheep in need of a shepherd's help. He groped his way along the edge of a deep ditch. He paused and gave a call: "ta-ra-ra, ro, oo, oo, oo." The cry of the lamb made Dan's heart beat faster. It was suffering and needed help. Down at the bottom of the ditch he found it. It was scared and scratched. He took it in his arms and hurried toward the little fire. He sat down to care for it.

"Ah, you are one of Levi's fairest flock," he said. "I will anoint your head with oil and perhaps you will feel better."

He took care of the bruises, gave the lamb a drink of water from his jug, put a cloak down for it, near the fire, and turned to follow the others. They were now out of sight but he was fleet of foot and could catch them before they got to the gate of the city. But as he started to leave the lamb, still frightened, it called after him. That stirred the others and they huddled together and gave frightened cries. Dan stopped and thought of the sheep. The others had forgotten that a shepherd never leaves his sheep alone. "Poor little lambs," said Dan as some of the small ones crowded around him, "I will not leave you."

Dan looked longingly toward Bethlehem. Then he stirred the fire, sat down and picked up his harp. His fingers strummed the strings as he sat there and dreamed of the vision of the night before. He seemed to hear the angel song over and over in his mind - the song of 'peace on earth and good will to all.' How he wished that he could be in Bethlehem. He would not get to play for the Babe in the manger. His dream of playing for a King would not come true. It had all been a dream - but what a dream it was! He could hear that song - and began to sing as his fingers strummed the strings.

"I did not get to go and see the new born King," he said to himself, "but I will learn to sing the angels' song: Glory to God in the highest . . ."

An hour or more passed by as Dan sat on the hillside strumming his harp and singing. Up the hill came the other shepherds. They walked silently. None of them wished to talk. Then they paused. "Listen," said old man Levi, "I hear the angels' song. They have come back."

"It is just Dan, playing his harp and singing."

"Dan, nothing," answered Levi, "it is the angel's song."

All the shepherds quickened their pace but the old man passed them all. When he got close to the place where they had camped for the night he stopped short. When he saw Dan, there was a funny lump in his throat. He listened for a moment and then spoke, "Dan," he said.

"Yes, Levi."

"Would you play for me?"

Through the crisp morning air rang the music of "Glory to God in the highest."

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