DID THEY REMEMBER
We all know that shepherds visited the Christ Child
In the stable with the beasts, Joseph and Mary mild,
We know they went away full of joy and proclaiming,
Telling of all they had seen and heard gladly rejoicing.
I wonder if thirty years later as Jesus’ mission began,
Did they remember that day, their part in God’s plan?
Surely they followed Him if they remembered that night
When the angels sang so boldly filling the sky with light.
I think I would have remembered the night the angels sang,
Remembered if I’d have heard heaven’s rafters loudly ring,
I would have remembered the animals quietly standing there
And the feeling of sweet peace that must have filled the air.
No, I was not a shepherd, I did not hear the angels sing,
Yet I know that Jesus was born, and the rafters did ring,
I did not visit Him in the stable so humble cold out there
But I know it all happened to free us from sin and fear.
Every time at Christmas as I set up my nativity scene,
And hold the shepherd with the dog and wish I had been
Part of the shepherds band who saw that precious sight,
And hoped I would have left rejoicing on the special night.
I’m sure I would have remembered Him later in life,
As I saw Him heal the sick, relieve suffering and strife,
Remembered the angels voices rend the cool night air
Telling that Christ was lying in a stable cold and bare.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson October 31, 2002