No Kidding

Give thanks to the Lord, for He isa good!

His faithful love endures forever...

He fills the hungry with good things.

(Psalm 107: 1,9b)

“Tell us, Grandpa!”

I look around at the eager faces of my grandlambs.

“Tell us!”

“Tell you what?” I tease, even as I make space for them to sit near me.

I know the story off by heart.

My heart knows the story.

The kids (sorry, lambs. Kids does not work with sheep) know it off by heart too.

Their lips move with mine in the telling.

They live the story with me.

It is becoming their own, and there is no greater gift I can give them.

They shuffle in closer.

I close my eyes, picturing that scene from years ago….

 

We crowd around the manger.

He’s late today.

His shadow falls on us, but he pushes us aside.

No food?

I pick myself up.

He’s helping a couple into our space.

Pointing to the empty manger.

The woman groans.

Soon, the manger isn’t empty.

And I’m not so hungry anymore.