drummer boy revisited

it wasn't a night very different than any other night really. we we all glad to be out in the fields with the sheep, and not in town with all the chaos. Cesar had called for a census and there was no room to move down there, so to spend the evening upon the hillside with the sheep was very welcome. my dad and i spent most of our nights there, along with several others, it's just the way of life for Shepard's. and as i said, this night did not start out special or significant in any way, we had no idea our lives would never be the same. a few of us were grabbing some rest while the others were keeping warm near the fire. not much was being said, it was dark and late. i couldn't sleep that night, just felt anxious, like i was standing at the edge of something wonderful, something much bigger than me. so i sat near the warmth of the fire and tapped away on my drum, trying to work out the anxiety. then from out of nowhere the sky burst forth into a light brighter than any day i had known. everyone was awoken and desperately trying to get their eyes to adjust to this glorious light. as we shaded our eyes in a vain attempt to see what was before us, angels that filled the whole night sky cried out,"glory to God in the highest, and peace, goodwill on earth towards men!" the told us of an infant who had been born that night in the village. He was our saviour and our king! and in as quick of an instant as they had appeared, they were gone. we sat in a moment of silence, struck in awe of what had just happened to us. then through the darkness someone shouted, " we must go and find this child!we must find our king!" and before he could even finish what he was saying, we were off, running down the hills, tripping over our own two feet, our robes tangling between our legs. we came to the stable in town, inside we found a father and mother with their new born babe wrapped in rags laying in the animals food trough. such a meager start to life for this little one who was supposed to be our savior. yet as we entered the cave, there was a wave of peace and joy that washed over us all like a tidal wave. no one said anything, there was no need. i came up beside that trough and knelt down beside the babe. he started to fuss." shall i play for you little one?" i asked, his mother nodded to me in agreement and swept him up to her chest. i began to beat away at my drum in hopes of offering this child a gift,something, anything! for i had no possessions of my own to give, and yet in my heart i knew he deserved everything i had. i played with everything in me and the night air resounded with music filled with adoration for this little babe.even the animals seemed to be keeping time. as my song came to an end, i found my eyes fixed on this little child,and he looked at me, and smiled. in that smile was all the love in the world, his eyes seemed to hold everything that has ever been or was yet to come. so much was wrapped up in this tiny bundle, and all my soul wanted to do was to pour out adoration, love and worship to him. as we left that night to tell of all we had seen and heard, i knew this child would change the world. he was my savior.