Song of Life – 6

New life, new king

That winter was very different for Sarabek; her older brother and his bride, Mary, came to supper at least once a week and she grew to love her new sister. She and her parents and other brothers also went to Yacob’s home regularly to help with the new olive grove and to add to the house. By spring, Yacob told his family that there would be a baby and they all rejoiced in the new life to come.

As spring came, the old king announced his son would succeed him and sent word that he would be introduced to the people in the city as soon as planting was completed. Sarabek’s father took his family and they stood on the street as the king and prince rode their horses through the throngs. Cheers went up on every side as the men and the honor guard passed them. The prince wore a special mask that covered his face but let him see out, a tradition that had begun generations before, so that the people would know which of the young men was the king’s designated heir. Sarabek was sorry he had the mask on because she could not see his face well and told her father so. Her father said that the tradition was very old and that when he was king, he would remove the mask and his face would be known to all. The family returned to their valley home, happy to know that their country was secure in its leadership and prepared for the season of work.

At the end of the spring, the shepherds from outside the mountain valley took their flocks to higher ground, above the vineyards of Sarabek’s father. This year, it was the king’s flock that came to their valley; the flocks moved from valley to valley each year to not overwhelm the pasture. Other smaller flocks came other years, but this year it was the large flock of the king that came. The shepherds stayed with the sheep and the village people provided bread and other food for them each midday, with different families providing the meal.

The first time it was Sarabek’s family’s turn to bring the midday meal to the shepherds, her father took her along, warning her to stay with him. She helped serve the shepherds, mostly older men but a couple of younger ones, including one who was very handsome. His eyes were kind and his hands strong as they took the bread from her. His smile of thanks for the bread she gave him was like the sun shining and she blushed as his hand touched hers. Then he asked her if there was watered wine and she indicated her brother had the leather wine bags and he would be distributing them to the shepherds after her. His voice was like the deep water in the river, strong and moving, touching her heart.

Her family finished feeding the group and gathered the baskets to leave. The oldest shepherd inquired of her father about the time of worship on the day to follow and said each week 3 of the shepherds would attend worship with the valley people. The others would stay with the flocks and worship there. The family providing the midday meal could send the provisions with the shepherds coming to worship. Her father promised to send word to the family planned for the next day.

Sarabek was lost in thought and prayer as she and her father and brothers returned home. She could not help thinking about the young shepherd, his hands and smile and eyes and his voice. She hoped he would be one of the 3 at worship tomorrow. Her father noticed her silence but said nothing until he saw her mother later, commenting as they retired for the night that Sarabek had been much taken with the young man. Her mother asked if the shepherd seemed to be a good man and her father said that the king’s shepherds were chosen because they were men of good character.

Next: Shepherds at worship