|
22nd Annual Christmas Lamb Show
1 December - 27 December 2007
To see whose work was accepted into the show, click here.
Thank you to David and Ingrid Nemelka of Mapleton for their continued support of this show.
"The Christmas Lamb"
The day of Kim’s visit to the art gallery’s Christmas room was about the only day of the year that he didn’t complain about combing his hair and dressing up. There was always a sparkle in Kim’s eyes, but today as he stepped into the beautiful, peaceful, room, there was a look of depth beyond his years as he studied each painting.
This room was open only during the Christmas season each year. The paintings on display had to be more than good examples of painting technique, for this was a room for feeling as well as for looking. Although many paintings were submitted, only a few were chosen, usually only one new one each year.
Kim looked intently at each picture, absorbing what each one had to say. Only one other person was in the room with him this morning. Kim enjoyed each of the old familiar pictures, saving the new one for last. Each one had a special message for him, but there was something about his last one that held him an extra long time.
The scene was typical, with the Holy Family in the stable, the animals nearby, and the shepherds standing or kneeling before the Christ Child. The new star in the heavens illuminated the cradle and the sleeping baby. The youngest shepherd in the picture captured Kim’s attention. The shepherd’s face was nestled against the soft, white wool of the lamb he was holding. His eyes were full of wonder and love and seemed to be saying, “So this is the little baby who will grow up to be the Savior of the world and the King of my people!”
Kim looked deep into the little shepherd’s eyes, as if trying to read his thoughts. What was there about this boy? Kim reached out to stoke the lamb when a hand touched his elbow, startling him. Turning, he looked into the face of a young man. “But, but look, that is I,” Kim stammered pointing to the shepherd. “He looks like me!” “Yes, he does,” the young man said. “I wonder if he gave this lamb to Jesus. See how tightly he holds it. I wish I had been there. I would have given it to Him,” exclaimed Kim. “You still can,” the man said. “But I don’t have a lamb, and I can’t see Jesus except when I close my eyes or look at a picture.” “You can still give Him a birthday gift,” said the young man.
Kim’s mother appeared at the doorway and beckoned to him that it was time to go. The image of the picture, especially the shepherd boy holding the lamb, and the man’s voice and words, were with him all the way home. All through the following week they were his constant companion.
When the last gift was wrapped and put under the tree, Kim blurted out in frustration, “But I don’t have a gift for Jesus!” causing his mother to look up in surprise. “It’s His birthday. We have presents for each other, we’ve given and received lots of gifts…and …it’s not our birthday.  It’s His birthday, and I don’t have a gift for Him. If I had one, how would I give it to Him? I don’t know how!” Kim was almost crying. Putting an arm around his shoulders, his mother looked thoughtfully into his tear-filled eyes.
Kim told her about his experience at the art gallery. “What do you think Jesus would want for his birthday?” she asked. “He would say ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.’ Remember the story of the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked Him how to be happy? Jesus told him that to find happiness he should sell all his possessions and give to the poor and needy. That rich young man couldn’t do it. Can you?” “But I don’t have great possessions to sell, and I don’t know any people in need,” Kim answered.
“People can be poor in many ways. Some are wanting in spirit,” said Kim’s mother. Do you know someone you don’t like very well?” “Grouchy Jake. He grumbles if we even look at his old flowers!” snapped Kim. “Maybe he watches them so closely and tends them so carefully because his flowers are all that he has. The flowers are his world. He has no family and very few good friends… Kim, what do you want most for Christmas?” “A clock radio.” “It’s in the package behind the tree,” she replied. “Oh, but mother I couldn’t.” “I know Jake doesn’t have one. Do you think that shepherd boy loved his lambs? Do you think he gave it to Jesus?” she asked.
Kim closed his eyes and saw the shepherd boy with his face nestled against the lamb as he held it close, then he thought of his own words to the young man. “I wish I had been there. I would have given it to Him.” He thought, too, of Grouchy Jake and how he always frowned and grumbled when the children came near his yard. Kim ran to his room and prayed, asking what gift he could give the Savior.
Kim was very quiet all the rest of that day and the next, which was Christmas Eve.  After dinner, he quietly ledt the table, walked slowly to the closet, took out his acket and put it on. Slowly, he walked over to the Christmas tree, reached to the very back, picked up the package with the red bow, and left the house. He was gone for a long time, and his mother began to worry until she heard him running up the walk. He jumped all the steps in one big leap and threw open the door. "Mother, Mother, Mr. Jake is nice!" he shouted as he sat down on the arm of his mother's chair, and once again, with a sparkle in his eyes and with conviction in his voice, he said, "Mother, if I have been there at that first Christmas, I would have given Jesus my lamb."
To download a printable version of "The Christmas Lamb" story, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
