Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Christmas Carols/Carolling (10/02/08)
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TITLE: A Cowboy's Holy Night | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lynne Eliason
10/09/08 -
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The cattle were settling down for the night on the open range. Ben reined his trusty grey horse, Shepherd, beside them discreetly, so as not to disturb their peacefulness. The air was crisp with the slightest hint of snowflakes and the cowboy tugged the collar of his brown wool coat up around his ears. He intended for his thoughts to keep him warm as well on this special night.
It was Christmas Eve, but he had drawn the short straw in the bunkhouse. That meant he’d keep vigil and ride the herd until sun up. He didn’t mind really. The night sky was beautiful, alive with stars. It made him wonder what that first holy night must have been like. He imagined on a night such as this Joseph and Mary sought a warm place for their child to be born, finally reaching the stable in Bethlehem. Ben could see the few twinkling lights of the little town of Dayspring in the distance. The ranch lights to the east danced and he was sure they were illuminating Christmas festivities. They beckoned, but he knew he must keep watch. It was all part of God’s plan back then, maybe it was now too.
The cowboy reached inside his leather vest pocket and drew out a gold locket. The intricate design was worn by time and touch. In the moonlight he opened it and smiled as Sarah, his wife, smiled back. This tugged on his heart, thankful she understood the “cowboy way.” She’d be waiting for him in the morning in their little ranch cabin with simple presents and a hearty breakfast. Then, together they’d wait for the arrival of their own first child. He’d anticipated this pending joy for a long time. He did worry about how it all would go, often praying that God would take care of his precious Sarah and their unborn child during her birthing time, something he wasn’t sure he himself would survive.
Ben circled the cattle and his thoughts turned to what it must have been like for the shepherds on the hillside above Bethlehem. They too, had done their part on the night that brought forth the Christ child. They had tended their flocks, knowing their purpose was small in the world, yet necessary. He could only envision their wonder at seeing an angel appear with the good news.
As the night journeyed toward morning, Ben hummed the Christmas carols he was so familiar with. His mama had seen to that. She’d taught him the words and they’d often joined carolers in merriment and reverence to the song‘s messages. Later on, as a cowboy out on the trail, many a Christmas campfire was blessed by those same tunes heralding from a harmonica. Tonight “Silent Night”, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”, and “Away in a Manger” seemed so appropriate, as he softly sang the words. Ben looked up and his gaze fixed on a star in the east. It was so much brighter than the rest and seemed to be placed in the sky just for him. Now he knew how the Magi must have felt following the Star of the East.
As the stars submitted to the sun peeking over the hill, Ben headed Shepherd toward the ranch. Sarah was probably pulling hot biscuits out of the oven at this very moment. As he got closer, he noticed Doc Matthew’s carriage in front of his house and he rode faster, his heart pounding in fear. Dear God, please let Sarah be alright. Please God.
The doctor immediately came out on the porch shaking his head. Ben, the ever tough cowboy, folded at the knees. Doc Matthews caught him. “Well, Ben, your Sarah has been busy while you were gone. It was a little rough, but you have a son. He’s a little small, but he’ll grow. Oh and you have a daughter, too. She’s even a little smaller. With lots of love and good food, they will all be fine. Congratulations, cowboy, you are the father of twins born this Christmas Day!”
Later, as Ben was getting acquainted with his babies and seeing Sarah as a mother for the first time, he thought of that bright star shining down on him during the night. Maybe God had been giving him the message of their birth. He felt like he was living a Christmas carol. It truly was a Holy Night.
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