MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Jesus was born amidst the sounds of His creation. It really is quite unusual, He was born in an animal stable. There was the sounds of the wind blowing across the fields and the braying of the donkey crying for its food. Maybe a cow mooing or a horse whinnying, maybe there was even the cries of the little lambs nearby. I wonder if Mary noticed the lambs in the stable that night? I wonder if those cries took on the real meaning of the birth of her Son? Of all people, Mary knew Jesus was a very unusual Child. After all she was the only woman who ever gave birth without knowing a man. Why was her child born without a human Father? Could it have something to do with the prophetic cry of the lamb? She must have held Him close to her breast that night as she pondered the meaning of the sounds of that crying little lamb.

Have you ever really thought about that special night? Have you pondered His strange birth and how He came to identify with you? At the end of the day, you and I are the reason He came. This child was born for us, just like the prophet Isaiah had said. Here is a poem about that night, I hope you enjoy it.

PASCHAL LAMBS
JOHN WRIGHT FOLLETTE

HARK! The herald angels singing,

Sweet the music, loud and clear.

Cease, O earth, thy tumult raging,

God to earth is bending near.

Once again the heavens open,

And transcendent is the light.

Shine! O shine in greater measure,

Scatter all this earth born night!
As I seek the lowly stable

And my heart as gift I bring,

Lo! The manger shines with glory

And I hear the angels sing.

In a corner of the stable,

Near the patient oxen’s stall,

Rests a mother sheep and lambkin

Where the deepest shadows fall.

Though the glory shines in splendor

Making all a blaze of light,

I am mindful of the corner

And the little lamb and night.

Though the music loud is ringing,

Coming to us from on high,

In a corner by its mother,

I can hear a lambkin cry.

Lamb of God, in lowly manger,

Do you her the lambkin bleat?

Does the cry mean something deeper

Than the Angels’ music sweet?

Little Paschal lamb I hear thee—-

I am in the shadows too.

Hark! I hear the Angels’ singing

“Christ the Lamb is born for you.”