The Shepherd Left Behind: A New Fable for Christmas Read Online Free

Following is the story of the Nativity, as told in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
    Note:  
    All Biblical quotes in this story come from the King James translation of the Holy Bible.
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         And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
         (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
         And all went to be taxed every one into his own city.
         And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.
         To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
         And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
         And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
         And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
         And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
      And the angel said unto them, 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 Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
         And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
         And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of     the heavenly host praising God and saying,
   Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
         And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
         And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.
         And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
         And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
         But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
         And the shepherds returned, glorifying an praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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The Shepherd Left Behind

    A new fable for Christmas

    by

    Thomas Rowe Drinkard

The Shepherd Left Behind

    © 2014-2015 Thomas Rowe Drinkard

    All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written of the copyright holder. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, other than those named in the Holy Bible and Christmas traditions, are the product of the author’s imagination.

Joshua should have been cold, but the campfire was burning and he had a lamb snuggled on each side. His woolen cloak was enough. Besides, the wonders of the night still made him tingle.
    The glory he had seen and the music he had heard were more than anything he’d known in all his nine years. Nothing would ever be the same.
    Although he was alone with the sheep, he was not worried. After all that brilliant creature of light had said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy.”
    Somehow, the deep feeling of peace had lingered. Then something pulled at his cloak and it wasn’t a lamb.
    “Hello, are you lonely?”
    When he turned around, Joshua saw a boy dressed in white robes smiling at him.
    He was supposed to have been alone. The