Pharez: A Christmas Story | Laveda D. Rockford

Pharez: A Christmas Story
Part One

 

Pharez was awakened from a deep sleep.

“Pharez, it is time. Wake up, my boy, she is bleating,” said the old man.

Pharez rose quickly and followed the old man. The night was dark except for the brightness of the moon and stars. Pharez knew these hills and valleys like the back of his hand. As they grew closer, he heard the bleating of his ewe. He had been staying up every night waiting for this to begin, but last night he was too exhausted, and the old man offered up his services for the evening watch.

Pharez followed the old man into the lambing cave with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. This could be the one.

Pharez stooped down to comfort his ewe. He spoke softly while rubbing her belly, “I’m here, settle down, it will be alright.” The frightened look in the ewe’s eye softened some when she heard his voice. After all, sheep know the sound of their shepherd’s voice.

The ewe gave birth to a little lamb. Pharez inspected the little lamb and found no blemish. He wrapped it in swaddling clothes for protection. It was a male, white, and without blemish. Pharez’s job now is to protect this little one. This could be the one. Pharez pulled the little lamb close to his body and began to sing softly to comfort the ewe and little lamb. Both animals seemed at peace for the moment.

Pharez named his little lamb Adaiah, meaning pleasing to Jehovah. After all, if this lamb will become a sacrifice, why not give him a regal name?

For many days he watched the lamb and cared for him like no other, for a shepherd’s job is continual.

So many people look down upon the shepherd as if their job isn’t important. But if God gave shepherds the job to care for the temple sacrifices, how could his job be menial?

Pharez grew up being a shepherd. He knew the many uses for his sheep. Besides wool and milk, the horns could be used to carry oil and wine, and as trumpets for summoning the people and in religious rites. And his sheep could be used as a sacrifice, “Without blemish,” he said out loud to remind himself while looking over at Adaiah.

One evening while on a hill overlooking the valley where his sheep were settling in for the night, other shepherds in the area were gathered around him. All were discussing the discovery of a mutilated lamb. Most agreed that it was the work of a bear. Pharez looked out into the valley where Adaiah was laying on the soft grass next to the ewe and surveyed the area for any signs of anxious sheep in case the bear was nearby. He didn’t see anything suspicious, so he relaxed again and listened more intently to the conversation.  

“I have led my sheep in that same valley where the lamb was found and have never seen signs of a bear,” said one shepherd.

Another shepherd answered, “True, it seems too close to the city. Foot traffic, eh?”

Pharez leaned back and looked up at the night sky when all of a sudden, he noticed something. “Look,” he exclaimed.

The shepherds at once scanned the fields looking for the bear. After not finding or hearing a commotion they turned to look at Pharez who was pointing not at the valley, but at the sky.

Pharez asked them, “Do you see that?”

A light, as if a star, grew larger and larger until it began to envelope them in light. “What is it?”

 

to be continued…

 

Pharez: A Christmas Story by Laveda D. Rockford

© 2022 Laveda D. Rockford