Do not be afraid
the angel said
in such commanding tone
that we almost believed
he could put to flight
our fears with a Word.
And all we like sheep
each one scattering
in his own direction
with the sheep themselves
skipping and bleating
like waves dancing
on the water.
We were sore afraid
but not so afraid
that we could not leave
those few sheep
in the desert
and hurry off.
What do you think
we found when
we got to Bethlehem?
Nothing but a child
wrapped in rags
and lying in a manger.
And His shy mother
so patient with
our blushing and fumbling
until she was distracted
by the child’s cry.