JUST A SHEEP

"Why does Tom get to be the angel?" asked Lily. "Angels are girls."

"The angel that came to Mary and Joseph was a boy," said their mother.

Tom and Lily put on their costumes for the community Christmas program. Tom was radiant in his angel outfit. Lily was a cute sheep.

"All I get to be is a sheep. Where's the glory in that?"

"We need the sheep for the shepherds," said their mother.

"Yeah, but the sheep could be cardboard and no one would care. I'm only a sheep so they can feel better about themselves for giving me a part."

They got in the car and their father drove them to one of the local churches where the program was to be held. Lily grumbled the whole way.

Parents filed in and took their seats. Backstage was crowded with children. A friend of Tom's went out to start the program as the narrator.

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin named Mary."

The girl playing Mary went onto the stage, followed by Tom, who told her she was to have a baby named Jesus. Then, he visited Joseph and told him to marry Mary because she would give birth to the Son of God.

Tom waited backstage with Lily while Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem.

"Baa. That's all I get to say."

"The Savior is the good shepherd. We are all sheep, Lily. God loves his sheep. That's why His Son was born. You, like the Baby Jesus, represent God's love," said Tom.

Lily never thought about it like that. Sheep were more important than she realized, not as important as an angel, but still important.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night."

The shepherds and sheep, including Lily, go out on stage. "Baa," said Lily and the other sheep. She smiled as Tom came out to announce the Savior's birth.

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring 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."

Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2010