The Christmas Shrew
A Christmas Tale for All Ages
Written and Preached by John Odom
Starmount Presbyterian Church
Greensboro, NC

December 24, 2011

My name is Qatan[1], I’m the first Christmas shrew,
And in case you don’t know me, I’ll say, “How do you do?”
What?  You’re confused?  You don’t know what I be?
I’m the smallest of mammals almost too tiny to see.

I’m the size of a thumb, I’m small but I’m tuff,
I ravenously eat all kinds of bugs and other yummy stuff.
What?  Still confused?  You don’t know of my story?
How I helped welcome to earth the Lord of all glory?

It started you see with a taxation decree,
All the world to their ancestors’ towns they did flee,
To Bethlehem Ephratha, Joseph with Mary did go,
She was heavy with child, and the going was slow.

And when they arrived, the night was half-spent.
No room in the Inn, so out to the stable they went.
The stable behind the seediest inn,
It was crude, dank and smelly and dirtier than sin.

The man and his wife in a “family way,”
The man and his wife on the cold ground did lay.
Then just before dawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.[2]

When suddenly Joseph knelt down on his knees,
And, rejoicing, could hardly believe what he sees.
The baby was there, and his heart glowed with joy,
As he clasped in his arms, the adorable boy.

“Mary, dear Mary,” Joseph said, “He is here –
The One you were promised:  God’s love has drawn near.”
In the eyes of the Christ Child, I saw nothing but love,
The long-hoped for Messiah come to earth from above.

God’s love was incarnate. All who saw knew the meaning,
As light from the stars in the night sky were streaming.
God’s love is for sharing, is what Christ came to show.
For love that is given multiplies don’t you know?

God sent us his Son so that through him we might live,
God sent us his Son so that loved, we might give.
But, here’s the problem, I didn’t know what to do,
For what can you give when you’re an insignificant shrew?

What can you return to the Lord God of all,
When you’re poor and you’re humble and you’re ever so small?
“What to give, what to share, Divine Master, show me the way!”
On my knees on the floor of the stable, I did pray.

Then I heard a deep voice, I cried, “Dear God is that you?”
“Don’t be an ass,” brayed the donkey to Qatan the shrew.
“You foolish shrew, I’m not the voice of God the divine,
But I’m here to tell you: move to the back of the line.

We worthy animals all have gifts for Jesus the King,
And you’re caught empty-handed with nothing to bring.
Our gifts prove our worth, our intrinsic merit,
And once given, we can be sure, divine favor to inherit.

So, get lost, go way, scat, worthless, insignificant shrew,
It’s blatantly obvious there’s no value in you.”
Qatan turned his head as a tear welled in his eye,
then he moved out of the way to let the others go by.

The ewe, cow, and hen, and even the ass,
Qatan ceded his place to let the bigger animals pass.
As he turned away from the baby and love’s pure light,
He had a dark thought that gave him – oh, such a fright.

I’m weak, and I’m little, and I’ve nothing to take him,
When God created the shrew he must have been mistaken.
Qatan began doubting the truth that Christ came to show.
All creatures are blessed to be blessings, don’t you know?

So back to the end of the line he did mope,
With nothing to give, Jesus, he began to lose hope.
The words of the ass they rang loud in his ears,
“There’s no value in you.” It was the sum of his fears.

But Ms. Ewe pranced right up, she didn’t look back,
A gift of her wool, so no warmth Christ would lack.
The cow, she was next, a pail filled to the rim,
Fresh, steamy, raw milk, was her best gift for him.

The hen gave a cluck as she laid at his feet,
A free-range, brown egg for the Savior to eat.
Now sauntered to Jesus, the donkey, that ass,
Gift lodged in his mouth. It was some old, dry grass,

That he took and he nuzzled deep down in a manger,
So there would be a bed fit for the wee, newborn stranger.
The grass he had pulled away from the ticking,
Of a mattress, behind the inn, thrown out for the picking.

Then horror of horrors, it now was my turn,
I stood ashamed, empty-handed my cheeks starting to burn.
For what can you give to the Lord God of all,
When you’re poor and you’re humble and you’re ever so small?

Then horror of horrors for there was another
Catastrophe in the making by the hands of Christ’s mother.
Bending over to place the newborn babe in the manger,
Only the eyes of a bug-eating shrew saw the danger.

                                   The old grass in the manger, I saw it was teeming,                                 The blades looked to be moving, and I knew, I weren’t dreaming.
Up the side of the manger, I quickly was dashing,
I plunged into the grass, my teeth actively gnashing.

Quick as a wink, I chewed and I swallowed,
Till the grass ceased its moving, and peace is what followed.
For, at this moment, I bet you surmise,
I’d saved baby Jesus from being eaten alive,

By a host of bedbugs that had been infesting
That inn’s old mattress grass which the Ass gave for nesting.
Now, Mary, on the cleaned manger grass, Christ Jesus did lay,
As she placed him, and kissed him, this old rhyme she did say:

“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.
Wake up bright, in the morning light, to do what’s right, with all your might.”

A smile curled my lips, I knew the rhyme would come true,
Because I had eaten not just one bedbug but 742.
I snuggled next to the babe, exhaustedly called it a day.
Next to the Christ Child is where I will guardingly stay.

And the truth that Christ brings, it washed over me,
The truth of gift giving.  It’s real plain to see.
A gift – it’s true worth – isn’t how big or how small,
For a gift, all that matters is that you give it your all.

Poor, insignificant, and small though I be,
I gave Christ all I had, and that gift was well – me.
This night, it’s your turn to follow Qatan, the shrew,
Give Christ your best gift – and, you guessed it, it’s you.

God sent us his Son that through him we might live,
God sent us his Son so that loved, we might give.
Now my story is over. There’s no more to tell,
Except we’re all gifts of God, born anew each Noel.

The End.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us… Titus 3:4-5a

Paul’s letter to Titus, according to commentaries, put the plight of man in one simple sentence for Titus. In v. 3, man is the actor (For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.).  But in v. 4, man is the recipient of God’s salvation.  What man could not do for himself (v. 3), God initiated for him by sending our Savior.

In the Greek, verses 4-7 are one complete sentence.  Commentators paint the total picture of salvation in these verses – manifestation (v. 4), the basis (v. 5a), the means (v. 5, 6), and the results (v. 7) of our salvation.  Translators break it up into smaller bites for better understanding.

Three things need to be pointed out in the opening of this passage.  The first is the word “but.” Paul often used the word “but” to contrast what he said in v. 3 with what he is about to say in the next few verses.

Secondly, Paul attributes kindness to God.  Not just plain kindness alone but “goodness and loving kindness”.  He points out that GOD is the creator and as such, He provides out of his “goodness and loving kindness” a way for salvation.

Thirdly, OUR SAVIOUR!  God appeared as OUR SAVIOUR!  God became human, taking the form of a baby so that “we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Prayer:  Great and loving God, You filled this season with the excitement of a birth for all the world to share.  With gratitude, we renew our lives to serve our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah AMEN!

Parks Williams

Trivial Pursuit! OK, ready? How many kings came to worship Baby Jesus in the manger, and what animals did they ride? Well, those of you who are Bible scholars know that the Gospel of Matthew does not say that “Kings” came, but instead “Magi,” or Wise Men. They came to Jesus’ “house,” so it must have been later than the manger scene. Matthew tells us that there were three gifts, but never mentions how many worshipers from the East nor their means of travel.

This is an especially familiar piece of scripture that many of us are fully able to misquote! Perhaps we intersperse things from “We Three Kings” and Christmas plays from childhood where three kings with crowns and gifts came to the manger scene following shortly after the shepherds and sheep made their entrances.

Religious paintings of the Nativity often depict kings and shepherds with numerous animals including camels and horses.

The number of men, when they came or what animals they rode are interesting things to ponder, but they do not provide a key to understanding the importance of the text. The Wise Men who followed the star were Gentiles. They were the learned men of the eastern nations, devoted to astronomy, to religion, and to medicine. By Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles, all people were given the invitation to worship the Christ Child!

Alleluia!

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for making yourself known to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nancy Sands

I have often wished that my call story were more dramatic. As a young adult, I remember well hearing one of our church members, a former banker, say that she heard God call her into ministry while watching the George Burns movie “Oh, God!” on an airplane. Of course we all laughed. I remember expecting her to say that her call came to her in a dream. Years later, when I was getting ready to leave advertising for seminary, I was expecting a dream, too. Although it never came, I still experienced a powerful call to ordained ministry.

It took me until August of this year to finally interview a pastor who heard God call her name in a dream. And not just once, but three times.

Raised by devout Christian grandparents of Native American heritage in Salt River, Ariz., the Rev. Sharon Selestewa had at first distanced herself from their faith community and traditions. A series of dreams changed all that. Eager to discern their meaning, Sharon decided to seek out the wisdom of a commissioned lay pastor in her grandparents’ congregation. “It sounds like the Lord is calling you into ministry,” he told her. Today Sharon serves as pastor of the Vah-ki Presbyterian Church in Bapchule, Ariz.

Hearing Sharon’s story, I happily and humbly remember that God may speak to us whether we are waking or sleeping. Just as God appeared to Joseph in a dream, so, too, can God convey important messages to us in our dreams if – like these contemporary and biblical dreamers – we seek to discern and honor their meaning.

Prayer: Lord, speak to us by day or by night that we may forever sing your praises. In the name of the One who is to come, we pray.

Rev. Emily Enders Odom

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night…

Of all of the scriptures read at Advent and Christmas, these words from Luke are among the most familiar. Who hasn’t heard these words proclaimed through word and song. The glorious strains of Handel’s Messiah reflect this account from the gospel of Luke. Even Linus of Charlie Brown fame gets into the act, reading the Christmas Story from Luke’s gospel in the yuletide favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Why do these words stay with us? What is it about this gospel that captures the essence of the story of Christ’s birth?

Could it be the shepherds? After all, these were not important people in the traditional sense of the word. These were commonplace, working folk who labored day and night in the fields to protect their flocks. They were not philosophers; they were not prophets; they weren’t even the upper crust of society. Some of them were downright unsavory, yet it was to this group that the angel of the Lord came to proclaim the birth of the Savior.

Perhaps we can identify with these shepherds. Most of us are not famous, fabulously rich or unimpeachably holy, yet Christ was born for us. He was born to save us just as He was born to save those shepherds so many years ago.

Luke’s message to us is simple but profoundly important. …

A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord…” Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill to all.”

Prayer: Loving God, help us to remember that Christ is born for all of us. As we celebrate His birth, let us remember that You sent your Son to us. We don’t have to be the most important, the wealthiest or the wisest. We can be like the shepherds of old, experiencing the awe of the Angel’s words and elation at the birth of our Savior. “Glory to God in the highest!” Amen.

Bob, Rhonda, Jenny and Mary Overman

The day was sunny, and everything was in readiness for Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem to be taxed. Joseph was of the house and lineage of David, and Mary was his betrothed who was great with child.

As with every journey, questions were asked. “Are we there yet?” “Who will be there?” Will there be food?” “Will we see shepherds in the fields?” “Will Simeon still be in the temple? “Will we see the king?” “Will we hear music and singing?” “Will we see the star shining brightly?” How often we have ask these questions on our journeys?

On her journey to Bethlehem, Mary’s thoughts returned to the words of the angel Gabriel and the prophet Isaiah.

As we approach this Christmas season and begin our journey once again to Bethlehem who will we see and think about?

A babe in a manger, there was no room at the Inn

Jesus who will save his people from their sins

A savior who will bring forgiveness to all who believe

A friend

The good news is that Jesus speaks to us today saying “I came to forgive all your sins. I offer you new life.”

Prayer:  Make room in my heart, Lord, to know and love the Christ Child and to receive your renewing love. Amen.

Ruby Stevens and Betty Wade

Through Elizabeth’s eyes:

I couldn’t believe what was happening to me:  Waiting SO LONG to have a child and then to learn that this child’s job would be to get Israel ready for the Messiah?  Can you believe it?  Neither could I…until my niece, Mary, came over.

As you know, Mary was expecting as well.  When she came over to stay with me and Zech for a while, the most amazing thing happened – my son started doing somersaults inside me!  How did he know?  Well, it must have been the Spirit, which filled me when Mary arrived.  I couldn’t help but shout:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?  For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary, overwhelmed by the Spirit as well, began to sing – in all my years, I never heard anyone sing so beautifully – it was like an angel.

I write this as a woman who was blessed by God.  For my son to be set apart as a servant of God – and my niece as well – What a blessing!

Prayer: Dear God, allow for your Holy Spirit to work and move and live within each of us as we anticipate your coming Son.  Amen.

Rev. Kathryn Campbell

The Annunciation – the announcement to Mary the Messiah was to be born of David’s family.  It had been thousands of years since David, and there had come to be thousands of families of Daniel’s descent.  God, in looking them over to choose the one through whom His Son should come into the world, passed up the ruling families around Jerusalem. His eyes rested on a humble woman in a lowly home in an obscure village of the distant hills of Galilee.

What a woman she must have been to be thus chosen of God to impart and mold the human nature of His Son!  And how her heart must have thrilled at the angelic message that she was to be the mother of the Divine King of the Ages!

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for giving us your Son through Mary who was truly your loving servant.  We feel and know this was the Greatest blessing ever to be received.  We are continuing to be blessed through your Son every day.  May our hearts be opened to this wonderful Advent Season, and may we share your love to others.

Connie Kronenfeld

“Do Not Be Afraid…But it keeps happening….”

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard.”

Elizabeth and  had been man and wife for some time but had no children. Elizabeth had given up hope, and God knew that.  Then on a special occasion, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah.

My angels always come in the middle of the night, revealing the will of God in amazing ways. “Your prayer has been heard.” Those are the words we should all like to hear.  Perhaps not that another child would be born in our family, but God has heard and will give answer.

When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, she learned that she would have a child named John.  Can you imagine?  Two cousins, one a young virgin and the other an older wife, rejoicing, laughing that together, they would see a child born.  God has not lost that touch of surprise.  Zechariah was so stunned he could not speak for months, while Elizabeth rejoiced that the Lord would give her a son.

In this brief passage we hear God telling his people of “their” Miracle, and He continues to bless us with miracles. They happen over and over but never in the same manner.  We must listen carefully for that voice of God which reminds us of our miracle.  Oh, can it be?  At this holy season, God will come and speak a word of truth about His miracles in our lives.  “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice…”

Prayer: Lord of mercy and love, your miracles are too numerous to know.  Help us to live in those miracles as we listen for your Holy World.  In Christ, our Holy Lord,  Amen.

Dr. George Carpenter

An Unlikely Witness

John bears witness to Jesus’ divinity in this passage.  Why does God think people will be convinced by a man who wears hair shirts and eats locusts…and who alone sees “the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending from heaven and resting upon

Jesus?”  John the Baptist certainly seems an odd pick to prepare the way of the Lord.

However, John is very clear about his purpose and task.  He is

baptizing folks in the Jordan…but he is also watching expectantly.  Upon seeing the dove, he testifies that Jesus is “the one.”  John may be out of sync with men, but he is definitely in sync with God.

Reflection: Do we tend to underestimate God’s choice of messengers and angels?  Do we discount people we consider bizarre or on the fringe?

John is humble about his purpose, totally ready to move off the stage now that Jesus has come to baptize with the Holy Spirit instead of water.  Andrew was John’s disciple – until he met Jesus. He and his brother Peter then begin to follow Jesus, with John’s blessing.  John gets out of the way after preparing it for the Lord.

Reflection:  John’s ego is not bruised when Jesus eclipses him.  He is fulfilled, content to have played his role and put in motion the rest of the story.

Prayer:  May we be as watchful and obedient to God’s will as John the Baptist.  Help us to prepare anew the way of the Lord this Advent.

Carol S. Andresen