(The final in a 4-part short story, While Shepherds Watched)   Amos was now alone, a sole shepherd guarding the sheep, as the others departed hastily towards Bethlehem in search of the newborn King. The Angels had come and gone, leaving the shepherds with amazement and joy. The Messiah, promised from the beginning of time, had been born that night in Bethlehem. But someone had … [Read more...]

The Glory of the Lord   Amos, a young shepherd from Judaea was guarding the gate of the sheepfold while his father, Benjamin, and Shimron, his uncle, were asleep. The three shepherds had 98 sheep in their flock, intended to be sold as sacrificial lambs to the worshippers in the temple in Jerusalem at Passover. There were two other smaller flocks in the fold with their shepherds nearby. … [Read more...]

  Tending Special Sheep   Amos, his father Benjamin, and his uncle Shimron had just finished driving their sheep herd some ten miles to the outskirts of Bethlehem. Two other groups of shepherds were using the same ancient fold erected from stones as the shepherds settled into their open quarters that cold, clear winter night. Amos, a young man of 14, had placed his bedding at … [Read more...]

    Following is a 4-part short story I wrote a few years back. It’s my attempt to describe how that first Christmas might have been. We will print a chapter each week. Feel free to reprint or use as you choose.     Seeking Pasture Near Bethlehem   The sheep had gone easily into the fold that evening. Young Amos was pleased that he had not been called … [Read more...]

(This is the final chapter in a 5-part short story, "Let Down Your Nets", by Jim Brewer) Nighttime was always best for catching briny, the larger fish, as they could not see the nets so easily in the dark waters. They would enter, then be trapped in the trammel nets. A nice catch this evening would cap off what had been a productive week. But time and again, Simon and Nathan and the other boats … [Read more...]

  (This is the 4th of a 5-part short story by Jim Brewer, “Let Down Your Nets.”   The water was boiling with fish in the surface, vast schools of sardines, Simon cast his net to one side and Nathan to the other. Each hauled in a seine filled with the small, silvery fish. The other boat with Abner and Boaz was having the same luck. Within an hour, both boats had filled their … [Read more...]

(This is the third in a five-part short story by Jim Brewer called "Let Down Your Nets")   There was a knock and Nathan went to the door. It was Simon. “What, sir, can I help you with,” Nathan asked. “May I speak to your mother, Shaina,” Simon responded. “I have a favor to ask.” Shaina had been baking bread as the next day was the Sabbath, but went quickly to greet … [Read more...]

  (This is the second in a five-part short story by Jim Brewer “Let Down Your Nets”) The nets were the lifeblood of the fisherman of Galilee. Maybe even more important than the boats, the nets captured the fish. Their strength and durability were critical. And the nets that Shaina made were superb, the envy of every fisherman in Capernaum. To construct the finest nets, Shaina relied on … [Read more...]

  I have written a short story: Let Down Your Nets. Like the first such story I wrote – While Shepherds Watched – it is based on a Biblical account, but with fictional characters – my thoughts on how it might have been at that time. I will print each of the five chapters in CvilleBuzz, beginning this week. I hope you enjoy it.     Nathan: A Young … [Read more...]

    What a great Christmas carol. Odds are we have heard or sung “Joy to The World” a thousand times. We may have even sung it on this Christmas morning. Yet, I wonder if we fully comprehend the word “Joy”. What exactly does it mean. Happiness? Gladness? Great pleasure?  C.S. Lewis didn’t think so. Lewis, a British writer and lay theologian, once described Joy as the … [Read more...]