JOY

Photograph: Kenneth McMillan

(as told by a shepherd)

This is about Joy.
You might wonder what a flock of shepherds
and a few sheep
would know about joy –
Well, let me tell you.

The God who created this whole universe
chose to make the birth announcement of his Son
to us – shepherds.
You know that story –
but have you ever really thought about it,
wondered why it wasn’t on CNN, the Goodyear blimp
or Rogers Cable?

It was in the quiet of the night, miles from town.
We had nothing to bring him,
nothing to hide from him.
He knew we would come to the party
and he knew we would tell everyone what we had seen and heard.
Chosen, part of the plan
and remembered throughout history.
That’s cool. I mean that’s JOY.

And you know what?
You too are chosen,
you are part of the plan too.
Sit out under the stars.
Take a deep breath,
listen for the good news
then tell someone about it.

©1997 Sharron R. McMillan