Behold The Lamb

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Image credit: catherinecgilmore.com

 BEHOLD, THE LAMB

 

1.

In a grassy field in Bethlehem

a rugged old shepherd

tenderly smooths the wooly coat

of a pregnant ewe, as she bleats in labor

almost ready to deliver her offspring

 

He’s been through this many times—

Patiently, the shepherd remains with her

prepared to assist as she gives birth

 

Immediately following the delivery, he wisely wipes

the membrane away from the lamb’s face

so it can breathe, while the mother

instinctively licks it all over with her tongue

In a few minutes, it rises on wobbly legs

and manages a few shaky steps

 

Then the shepherd picks it up

and carefully examines

every limb and joint and crevice

Finding no blemish

he wraps strips of swaddling cloth

around its delicate little hooves

to protect them from splintering or cracking

 

He’ll raise this spotless little lamb

with utmost care—

 

and present it to the Levitical priests

designated for sacrifice

upon the altar at the Temple in Jerusalem

 

as an atonement for sin

 

2.

The old shepherd

warms himself by the fire

with the younger men

when suddenly the sky is alight

with angels singing praises to God

and announcing with joy

the birth of Jesus, Savior of the World

 

Filled with great jubilation

the shepherds set off

with their flock, to honor Him

They don’t have far to travel

 

In a lowly stable outside an inn

they find the Babe

with His mother, Mary

and her husband, Joseph

 

Baby Jesus is without blemish

swaddled and sleeping, in a make-shift cradle

that is actually a feeding trough for animals

 

Years go by

and in the fullness of time

the Man, Jesus, presents Himself

to John, the Baptizer

on the shore of the Jordan River

 

As He approaches

John proclaims to all who will listen

 

Behold, the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world![1]

 

A few years later

Jesus, Son of God, the spotless Lamb

does exactly that, once and for all—

 

at the Cross

 

Maude Carolan Pych

---

[1]John 1:29 NASB

"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

Poems about the Birth, Death & Resurrection of Jesus

by Maude Carolan Pych

Published by Elm Hill,

is available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, etc.

Website: www.maudecarolanpych.net

Email: maudecpych@gmail.com