Prophecy

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And
in that region
there were
shepherds
out in the
field,
keeping
watch
over their flock
by night.
[Luke 2:8]
*********************
Jesus
and His followers
are walking
along the dirt road.
They have just come
from Nazareth; the
disciples are feeling
dispirited, dusty,
and disheveled.
Jesus tells everyone
to go and find a place,
under the trees, to
rest. It's an overcast day,
and the chilly breeze
feels good against their
weary-worn skin.
**********************
"LORD?
Maybe....
we should just go HOME."

"Why,
Peter?"

"BECAUSE,
LORD!"
(Frustrated grimmace.)
NO ONE is LISTENING
to US!"

"I have My Work,
to do, Peter."
[QUIET PAUSE.]
"And,
so do you."

"But....LORD!
This isn't WORKING!
THE PEOPLE IN NAZARETH
WERE LAUGHING AT US!"

[NODDING PATIENTLY.]

"Perhaps......"
(Peter looks about
at the others, sitting
off to one side
in the grass.
He lowers his voice,
leaning forward,
towards his Rabbi.)
"Perhaps....we
should just go back
HOME. My brother
and I still have our
fishing boats...."

[FIRM VOICE.]
"No,
child!"
[GAZE INTO THE DISTANCE.
LISTEN TO THE CHILLY
WIND SCATTERING UP
BITS OF DIRT, AND TOSSING
THEM TO AND FRO.]
"You still have much
work to do,
for Me.
Then, you can go Home."

"But....LORD!
I'm not DOING
ANYTHING!"

"You are following
Me, child."
[TENDER VOICE.]
"That is all you need
to do."

(Sigh.)
(Nod.)
"Will ANYONE
ever REMEMBER...
what we DID here:
in NAZARETH,
I mean?"

[SUDDEN CHUCKLE.]
"Oh, yes,
Peter!
Yes!"

(All of the others
hear His laughter,
and get up: going over
to stand under the
tree, where Peter and
Jesus are sitting.)

"Why are You
LAUGHING,
My Lord?"

[CHUCKLING.]
[SMILING!]
"Because, children;
I am thinking of
the one word that
they will all remember,
in Nazareth..
at this time of year."

(The disciples glance
at one another, and
then back to their Lord.)
(Peter speaks up.)
"What WORD,
is THAT, Lord:

PREACHING?
MESSIAH?
THE PROPHETS?
SALVATION?
BAPTIZED?
HEAVEN?
KINGDOM?

(Frustrated,
impatient voice.)
WHAT?"

[SMILING!]
[GETTING UP,
TO START ON
HIS JOURNEY,
AGAIN.]
[STRETCH.]
[REACH OVER,
PLACING HIS HAND
ON ONE OF THE
DISCIPLES' SHOULDERS.]
[QUIET VOICE.]
"Manger."

(All His disciples
stare at one another,
with surpise,
and a little amusement.)
"WHAT?
M..A..N..G..E..R?
You mean....a FEEDING TROUGH?
For...SHEEP,
AND OXEN,
and..GOATS?"

[NODDING.]
[TENDER VOICE.]
"Yes,
My beloved."

(Peter rises,
to stand up also;
he turns to look
around, at his
fellow travelers,
and shouts,
impatiently.)
"But....we don't
UNDERSTAND,
LORD?"
(Gaffaw.)
"What sort of RIDICULOUS
word, is THAT?"

"God works in ridiculous
ways, My children."
[SMILING JOYFULLY.]
"Sometimes...
that is the only word,
the Lost will hear."
**********************
And
she gave birth
to her
first-born son
and wrapped him
in swaddling cloths,
and laid him
in a
manger,
because there was
no room
for them
in
the inn.
[Luke 2:7]

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