The Star Keeper

An original Christmas Story by

Doug Alvord

It was late afternoon, and the sun was setting over the small village.

Soon it would be night, that most wonderful of nights.

thousands of angels flew about,

for all needed to be in readiness,

and all needed to be perfect,

and all needed to be blessed.

God the Father had said this night would come -

that the Holy Child would be born to Mary,

in Bethlehem.

And there was One Star, an especially bright one in the East,

that God had told would shine even brighter tonight.

It was quiet on the shores of Galilee.

A husband and his wife made their way to the village,

and finding no lodging

made the best they could do in a simple stable.

But in Heaven, trumpets were being tested,

harps were being tuned

and angels swooshed this way and that,

all eager to turn the night sky into a symphony of praise and gladness and good news.

Gabriel was, of course, in charge, and to tell the truth he was a bit out of sorts,

as it seemed his angel troops were so giddy with the festivities

that he feared they might turn the night sky into a riot, even though a happy one.

One angel was not a bit happy about the coming event.

In fact, he wasn't even happy being an angel.

Jacob was only six years old.

On earth, a terrible fire had swept the tent where he slept,

and he found himself up here in heaven instead of down by the river

where he used to play with his goats and baby sheep.

Heaven, thought Jacob, was a very dull place with mostly older people.

He just wasn't ready to spend eternity sitting on a cloud.

And on this night-of-all-nights, nobody was paying any attention to him.

They were all talking about the Child, for

this was not just a baby, this was the Son of God himself.

Well, thought Jacob, maybe this little boy will get to grow up,

and maybe if he's God's baby he won't have to die at all.

The eastern sky grew pale blue, then red, then purple, and then finally black

as, a few at a time, the stars began to fill the vast celestial dome over the little town.

Then the Great Star shone to proclaim Him,

and bring new light

into the darkness of people's lives.

The angels hushed as they waited the coming of baby Jesus.

Gabriel flew in a grand circle around his flock.

He was just about to lead the host to earth

when he noticed the little angel sitting off to one side.

"It's Jacob, isn't it?

Why are you sitting there looking so sad, child?

Aren't you excited that the Christ child is coming tonight?"

Jacob didn't answer right away. For one thing, Gabriel was the head of all the angels and Jacob was surprised he knew his name. And, since angels do not tell lies, he was afraid to say what he had been thinking, about himself, and the new baby. But he sighed, and knew he had to tell.

"Well, you see, I don't like being an angel, sir. I'm only six, and I miss my mother because she didn't get burned up in the fire, and there's nothing for me to do here.

I know that the baby Jesus is special, if it's going to get to be God's little boy, so I guess I should be happy. Do you think God is mad at me?"

Gabriel laughed, and sat down and shook his feathers, which sounded like tiny silver bells when they moved. "No, little one, God loves you very much. And I am sure he thinks about you, but maybe tonight he's just very - well, sort of like a new father. But you should have something special to do. Let me think."

Gabriel took Jacob in his arms and flew to the east, just in line with the star of Bethlehem. "Ah," I have it, most, most important. Jacob, you are going to be the Star Keeper. I must tell you something. Jesus will get to grow all the way up, but his life will not be easy. He will bring a great message to the people of the earth, but not everyone will like that. They have become so used to doing things their way, and not always God's. But although he will be on earth only a short while, His word will be forever. The birthday of Jesus Christ will be celebrated every year. And each year, the star of Bethlehem must be ready. It must remind everyone of God's love, and the good news his Son brings.

And so, little Jacob, since you will always be with us, you will be the Star Keeper."

Jacob swallowed hard. He was amazed and proud, but also afraid.

"But forgive me, Gabriel - I'm just little and I don't know how to keep a star, and it's so big - five or six times bigger than me!"

"More like six million times," smiled Gabriel, "but don't worry. The Star of Bethlehem will never go out. It's the light in people's hearts that sometimes goes dark. Lift is not always easy, as you already know, and people forget how much God loves them. It's not that the star doesn't shine, it's just that they can't see it. So, on Christmas Eve, you will be the Keeper of the Star, which really means that you will bring light to dark places. And you will never, ever be bored, little Jacob, because you will find so many places that need the light of your Star."

Jacob's chest swelled as Gabriel carried him down close to the earth. There, in the stable, was young Mary, and Joseph, who would be his earthly father and, in the manger, the baby Jesus. And there, among the people crowding around in wonder and gladness, was his mother!

She still looked sad, but she also looked peaceful, as though she somehow understood.

"And a little child shall lead them," it says in the Good Book. Or maybe two.