This poem goes straight to my heart, I read it last year and loved it but when I read it, I had a feeling of indifference until I revisited it several times and thought about it. I soon loved it because it was seen though an obedient, loving Border Collie who told the story of his shepherd “lads” who made the trip to the manger at the first Christmas.
After
the very bright light,
And
the talking bird,
And
the singing,
And
the sky filled up wi' wings,
And
then the silence,
Our
lads sez
We'd
better go, then.
Stay,
Shep. Good dog, stay.
So
I stayed wi' t' sheep.
After
they'd cum back
It
sounded grand, what they'd seen.
Camels
and kings, and such,
Wi'
presents - human sort,
Not
the kind you eat -
And
a baby. Presents wes for him
Our
lads took him a lamb.
I
had to stay behind wi' t' sheep.
Pity
they didn't tek me along too.
I'm
good wi' lambs,
And
the baby might have liked a dog
After
all that myrrh and such. by
The
language is so modest-almost simple. “ the singing/ And the sky filled up wi’
wings.” But then you gently catch on to what is going on, it’s the birth of the
Christ child and the shepherds are going to see what is going on and the dog is talking about the Angels.
They
leave the Border Collie behind to tend after the sheep because that’s his job
and can be trusted. And there’s a hint of sadness in the line,
Our
lads sez
We'd
better go, then.
Stay,
Shep. Good dog, stay.
So
I stayed wi' t' sheep.
“And
after the’d cum back/ it sounded grand, what they’ve seen”
And
then the presents the shepherds took, ”Our lads took him a lamb”
But
the dog has responsibilities. He has to miss the greatest event the world has
known because he has sheep to look after- and that’s what sheepdogs must do.
The
last few lines are precious,
“Pity
they didn’t tek me along too.
I’m
good wi lambs”
I think
the Collie regretted he couldn’t go, I know mine would.
The
Border Collie understands somewhat why he couldn't go, even as mine do when I can't take them. They may not agree, but they understand and know it’s
their duty of what is expected. Dutchess
will fight me to get her way but in the end, she knows it’s her duty and will bow
her head and comply.
As I said last year, "the Christmas Season is upon us, it’s really about second chances,
something we all need. It is a gift that
we don’t deserve but was given because of love many years ago, it’s only
fitting that we give others a second chance too, whether it’s for people or
pets."
“Some
stories are told with Claymation, puppets, and cheesy musical numbers but don’t
miss their deep and abiding meaning! These stories have lasted for decades, if
not centuries, because their message connects with us on a deeply human level
by inviting simple truths into our souls, truths like “beauty comes from
brokenness,” “joy isn't about what we own, but who we are,” and “even the worst
of us deserve a second chance.”
Christmas
is a gift from God.
It
is a gentle reminder of the plot to this whole story called Life: that we once
were lost and are now found, once broken and now restored. The Gospel of the
Second Chance brought by the helpless baby-king born in a barn is a gift for
all of us”… Mike Foster
Merry Christmas from us here at the farm... Ken...
Merry Christmas from us here at the farm... Ken...
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you next week or follow us today on Facebook
