Dear Family, Friends, Neighbors and Associates:
We wish each of you great happiness and joy in this wonderful time of remembrance and celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth and life-giving ministry. Please read Sister Taylor’s “Little Lamb” story attached.
All of our love,
Dad and Mom
George and Debra
GT & DT
My Little Lamb
When I was a child I lived in Bethlehem five miles from Jerusalem and just a little way from “Shepherd’s Field” which was called Migdal Eder. This was the place where lambs were raised for sacrifice at the Temple. All the firstborn lambs around my home are considered holy. My father, my grandfather, and my uncles were shepherds. I always wanted to be a shepherd like them but I was a daughter; I was told I needed to stay at home.
My father spent many cold and lonely nights in the fields protecting the sacred sheep. He risked his life to keep the animals from going astray and falling into the steep ravines. Spring was especially difficult because it is the time of lambing and Passover. People came from all over to purchase animals for burnt and peace offerings to atone for their sins in Jerusalem.
When the lambs reach a year old, my father separated the firstborn males, those without blemish and spot, and led them to Jerusalem. I waited on the road to see my father and the little lambs as they passed by. On one such occasion one particular lamb with such a big tail caught my eye—he even looked at me. I ran to my father and asked if I could keep that little lamb. He told me that there were many others back on the field from which I could choose. But, I wanted the one which had caught my eye. After some pleading my father finally gave me that special lamb. I picked it up; the lamb licked my nose. I giggled and buried my face into his neck.
I ran back home holding my little lamb and hollered to my mother with excitement as I entered the house. She sighed and asked what I would do with the lamb. I told her that the lamb would be my friend since I didn’t have anyone else to play with.
When my father returned from Jerusalem he went back to the field to divide more of the lambs.
One dark evening as I lay in front of the small fire, I was awakened with a start as my father rushed into the house in great excitement. The door slammed against the wall causing straw to fall to the ground from the roof. His eyes were flashing but his spirit was joyful. He began talking so fast that my mother and I we could make out only a few of his words. My mother asked, “What is the matter?” She told him to slow down and repeat what he had said.
“I had been tending the flocks with James and the other shepherds when an angel appeared and said unto us, ‘Fear not for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the a multitude of Heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’ ( Luke 2:9-17).
“I saw the babe wrapped in the same swaddling clothes in which we wrap the new-born lambs. As I came near the manger I knelt down to view this miraculous sight. I felt such indescribable joy, peace, and love as I looked upon this holy family. I couldn’t contain myself and I have shared this experience with everyone on my way home. Will you come with me and see?”
Well, we ran out of the house and shut the door leaving my little lamb behind to go and see this new-born baby. The stars were so bright, especially one brilliant star which led the way.
When we arrived at the manger there were others whispering and pressing in to see the child. My father lifted me upon his shoulders so that I could catch a glimpse of the baby. I could hardly breathe because my heart was full as I looked upon the infant child’s face.
As I gazed upon him I wondered how I could show my love. I so wanted to give him a gift. We walked home slowly, talking with each other with feelings we could not describe.
In my mind, I continued to ask myself what I could give to him.
When we reached the door of our home, my little lamb was waiting eagerly but patiently for me. As I lifted up my lamb I began to cry. Again he licked my nose but also my eyes and my mouth.
During the night, I didn’t sleep. I felt a strong desire and a need give my new little lamb to the new boy-child babe in the manger.
Following this wonderful experience, my father returned back to the shepherd fields. I asked him if we could take my little lamb to the child when he returned home. He answered that we could indeed! I waited and watched for a few days for his return. Finally he came back and helped take me and my lamb. The little lamb followed me to the manger. When we arrived the child and his parents were gone. I felt so sad—disappointed that I had taken so long to return. I wondered what sacrifice of purification the baby’s parents offered at the temple to celebrate the birth of their first-born son.
As we were leaving the manger, my lamb seemed to linger behind sniffing the golden straw but then turned and followed me back home—how I loved my little lamb! As he grew too big to live with us in our house, I returned him back to the” Shepherds Field” with the other ewes. But, I never forgot the love I felt for my lamb and for the child and the gift that I wanted to give.
Debra Taylor 12/2011
