Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-20 

                                            “The Gift”

What is the most memorable gift you’ve ever received at Christmas? Was it something big and expensive? Was it something small and intimate? Was it something handmade – perhaps from your child? Was it a gift from someone very special – perhaps, even a ring from a fiancee? Was it the birth of a child? 

Tonight I’d like to tell you the story of a little orphaned shepherd boy and “The Gift” he received many many years ago. 
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Benjamin could hardly remember his parents. They had died four years ago when he was only three. He had a vague memory of strong arms and of a sweet smile, but nothing more. 

Ben had come to live with some distant relatives who were nomadic shepherds. It was a hard life, not just because they were constantly on the move, but because Ben was...well, different. He was born with a twisted leg. He had learned to walk, but he limped badly, and running was impossible. Because he was an orphan and because of his funny walk, Ben was often the butt of jokes and teasing from the other children in the family. 

The adults were not much better. They were busy just trying to survive the harsh realities of the wilderness. They had little time for their own children, much less for this child who had been thrust upon them by circumstance. Thus there were no strong arms to hold him when he felt sad or when his leg hurt. There were no stories told at the campfire to brighten a long night. There were no kind words or loving smiles to make him feel wanted and loved.

One day Uncle Judah told Ben it was time for him to learn to take the sheep out to the distant meadows and guard them. He would go with older cousins who would teach him what a shepherd must know about tending sheep. Ben did as he was told and just as the dawn was breaking they set out with the herd.

The shepherds journeyed for two days looking constantly for good grass and fresh water for the sheep. At night after a simple meal and when the sheep were safely bedded down for the night Ben and the others made beds from a blanket that was part of their clothing during the day and covered themselves with their cloaks. They would take turns through the night standing guard over the sheep. One of the others would wake Ben when it was his turn. Ben fell asleep quickly after his exhausting day.

Suddenly, there was a rushing sound and a bright light. Ben was instantly awake. At first he thought he might have been unwakeable and had missed his watch, but it was dark everywhere but overhead where...where...what was that...what manner of being was floating above him and what was it saying? Ben tried to make himself very small so the being wouldn’t see him. But, it’s voice seemed to penetrate even his body. At the same time, as Ben heard the being saying, “Fear not...” Ben felt a strange and wonderful peace settle over him. He realized that this was not one of those horrible demons that his cousins teased would get him out in the wilderness if he wasn’t careful. This was an angel...an angel that glowed with love and joy.

Ben listened intently to the message the angel was giving. It said a specially anointed child had been born who would save his people. This would bring great joy to all people. Ben wondered...could this special child perhaps help him? Might it have the power to make his leg straight? Might this child save him from the taunts and meanness of his cousins back at camp. 

And, just listen! The angel was telling them how to find the child. Oh, he could hardly wait to start off for Bethlehem. But wait! The cousins were debating. Someone must stay with the sheep...”oh please, not him”, Ben prayed. Thankfully, the cousins felt he was too young and inexperienced to be left with the sheep. But, if he was coming with them, he must hurry. They wouldn’t wait for him if he couldn’t keep up.

So, they started off, and before they knew it they were in the town of Bethlehem. What a large city it seemed to a small boy. And even at night, so much seemed to be going on, so many people were out and about. But even with all the confusion of streets and milling crowds, the shepherds found the stable by the inn that the angel had spoken of.

They went into the stable and there, lying on a bed of straw was the loveliest lady Ben had ever seen. At first she was frightened of the big rough looking shepherds and her husband seemed ready to fight them off if they meant harm. But then Ben squeezed between the cousins’ legs and got out front where he could see. 

The sight of a young boy – a cripple at that – seemed to put the lady at ease. She smiled at him. Oh, that smile! It was just like the one he remembered on the face of the lady in his dreams. It was a mother’s smile and she was smiling at him. Some kind of unspoken communication traveled between them. Somehow she seemed to know about the pain Ben experienced so much of the time.

The lady...Mary, she said her name was...beckoned Ben forward to see her baby. Shyly, he crept up to the manger. The baby...who was called Jesus...had a hand extended from his swaddling clothes. Ben put his hand into the manger and the baby grasped his finger. Ben felt a thrill go through him. It was a feeling he later could never quite describe, but a feeling that changed his life forever. For when the baby let go of his finger and Ben stepped away, he found that his leg was completely straight and strong.

He couldn’t believe it! He took a step, then some more steps. He leapt up in the air and then spun around. His leg...his leg was healed. Ben had received The Gift – the only gift he had ever really wanted. The other shepherds looked on Ben with awe. They knew they had seen a miracle and that somehow it was related to this child.

Mary seemed to know that a very special bond had been created that day between her son and this little orphaned shepherd boy. Gently, she lifted her son from the hay of the manger and put him in Ben’s arms. The baby gazed up at Ben and Ben knew deep in his heart that in someway he would always have Jesus with him wherever he went and whatever else happened to him in life.

After a few moments, Mary took the baby Jesus back and put him in the manger again. The shepherds thanked the couple for letting them see this Christ child. They went out into the town, telling everyone about the miracle of this night. And Ben savored The Gift of salvation the rest of his life.

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Now, you won’t find this story in the verses after our Luke 2 Gospel lesson or anywhere else in the Bible. It *is* just a story I made up for us tonight. But, stories usually have a kernel of truth to them and I promise that if you let this Christ child take hold of you, let him take over your heart, you too will experience healing, and wonder and joy beyond all knowing. Blessed Christmas. Amen.