In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12)
The Shepherds' Wives
by Richard Simon Hanson
The men came in from the fields, babbling of angels and hallelujahs in the heights of the midnight sky;
"We ran to the village," they said,
"and there, at the edge of the town, in the innkeeper's stable, we found a newborn child, all properly wrapped and laid in a manger, snug and warm in the straw."
The women listened and pondered these things in their hearts.
Talk traveled on through shepherds' camps as one told another, and soon all agreed that this, indeed, was a sign and wonder.
The women listened and pondered,
each, in the heart of her hearts understood:
The miracle of birth is always a sign, a wonder of joy, born out of pain, hope of the world, gushing forth in a flood, seed of human emerging, ruddy and strong in a field of blood.
The menfolk called off their work and spent the day singing praises to God.
The women pondered:
Yes, this is a wonder, a sign for the house of David and all other houses, of family.
When men will leave their labor to sing, then peace is near.
If only kings would hear this sign, lay down their weapons and works and bring themselves to the cradles of newborn babes and there be moved to sing of goodness to all with whom God is pleased.
Then peace would reign and women's dream would be fulfilled: To bring forth children who live.
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| "Bolivian Shepherdess" by Timothy K Hamilton, on Flickr |
The Shepherds' Wives
by Richard Simon Hanson
The men came in from the fields, babbling of angels and hallelujahs in the heights of the midnight sky;
"We ran to the village," they said,
"and there, at the edge of the town, in the innkeeper's stable, we found a newborn child, all properly wrapped and laid in a manger, snug and warm in the straw."
The women listened and pondered these things in their hearts.
Talk traveled on through shepherds' camps as one told another, and soon all agreed that this, indeed, was a sign and wonder.
The women listened and pondered,
each, in the heart of her hearts understood:
The miracle of birth is always a sign, a wonder of joy, born out of pain, hope of the world, gushing forth in a flood, seed of human emerging, ruddy and strong in a field of blood.
The menfolk called off their work and spent the day singing praises to God.
The women pondered:
Yes, this is a wonder, a sign for the house of David and all other houses, of family.
When men will leave their labor to sing, then peace is near.
If only kings would hear this sign, lay down their weapons and works and bring themselves to the cradles of newborn babes and there be moved to sing of goodness to all with whom God is pleased.
Then peace would reign and women's dream would be fulfilled: To bring forth children who live.
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