[Dialogue] Christmas Greeting - witness

[George Packard]

Colleagues

In gratitude for many experiences shared and anticipated, we share this
holiday greeting,

George and Elise Packard

K. Elise Packard, Ph.D., Learning Consultant,  Bridging Futures LLC,
<http://www.bridgingfuturesllc.com/> www.bridgingfuturesllc.com

 Being Led into The Night

 


S

heep were at the birth of Jesus. Many nativity sets remember to include at
least one sheep or two. They are minor characters; but maybe major
characters after all.

 

One Christmas carol begins with the line, "Said the night wind to the little
lamb, "'Do you hear what I hear?' Ringing in the night little lamb, "' Do
you hear what I hear?'" The lamb never gets a chance to answer, but if she
could, the response would surely have been "Yes!" because her action was to
ask the shepherd boy, "Do you see what I see?"

 

Sheep have wide angled lenses in the eyes that are placed on the side of
their heads. They can see what is surrounding them, and they always keep at
least 5 other sheep in their gaze.  It is their way of caring for
themselves, and caring for their colleagues in the flock.  Sheep don't show
up being alone.  They don't try to convince themselves that they can make it
alone; because they can't. In fact, often sheep are thought of as helpless
and at the mercy of others---bleating and bah-ing in distress.

 

But those eyes are powerful and they help a sheep to spot those who are
after them. Each sheep bahs and  bleats to quickly pass the word to others
who might be in the sights of predators. One sheep---two sheep. She-we.
We-he--connected in care for each other.

 

Sheep are not out to get anybody.  They don't need that.  The earth provides
grass and water.  It is enough.  They spend their days eating and
ruminating..that might also involve thinking, reflecting.  But they are only
able to ruminate if they are not under stress.

 

Sheep were there that night because the shepherds got the word to move to
Bethlehem.  It probably was not a quick nor easy journey; but the sheep went
along because the shepherd prodded them to do so.  It probably made no sense
to them to move from a comfortable pasture into the town; but they followed
the cues of the shepherd in trust.

 

In the same book where we find the Christmas story, it says, "The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want."  In that same book it says, that the baby being
born would be the "Lamb of God." In the oldest part of that book it says
that a ram sheep got caught in a bush and became thesubstitute sacrifice
that saved a little boy named Isaac.

 

But, that Christmas Eve---these were just sheep-- following, following, a
shepherd in the black of night.  Moving forward, not balking, caring for
others---moving forward, not knowing why they needed to move nor where they
were going..moving, moving, and Showing Up...being present to the night and
to the birth of something new.

 

Lamb-He; Sheep-we; Sheep-me.  Being led, and deciding to move into the
night. Deciding to show up, and perhaps to be surprised.
Elise Packard, December 2010

We wish you the Best of the Holiday Season, Elise and George      

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