SAMUEL was a little shepherd boy in Africa. He heard for the first time of Jesus, and of how He had been born a babe in Bethlehem. Samuel told this sweet story to Edward, a little friend of his, who was also a shepherd.
Edward was so surprised to hear the story of Jesus that he listened most attentively and believed every word he heard. He longed to see the babe of Bethlehem.
“Can I see Him?” he asked. “Tell me, oh tell me where He is!”
“He’s at the missionary station at Kuruman,” replied his friend. “Have you seen Him?”
“No, I never saw Him, but I know He is there, for they sing to Him and talk to Him.”
So right there and then little Edward made up his mind to go and see the Babe. Then one day he started out on foot. It was a long journey, more than 100 miles over hot plains and through dangerous jungles, but he found his way, and days later, on Saturday evening he arrived at the mission station.
A kind Christian woman took him into her hut and gave him supper. Next morning he heard a bell ring and followed her to the Sunday service.
The little shepherd lad looked about, hoping to see the glorious Babe, and as he looked he saw a fair little child, with light hair and blue eyes, such a child as he had never seen before, for all Edward’s people were black.
“It is the Babe of Bethlehem,” he thought. Then after the service was over, he told his Christian friend so.
At first she could not understand him, and then she told him it was the missionary’s own child. Furthermore, she told him who the Babe of Bethlehem really was, that He was the Son of God; she told him what He did, that He died upon the cross for sinners; and finally she told Him where He is now — in heaven. Such is His love for sinners everywhere, and now those who trust Him as their Saviour will go to live with Him in glory one day forevermore.
In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare,
For all who are washed and forgiven,
And many dear children are gathering there,
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
But thousands and thousands who wander and fall,
Never heard of that heavenly home;
I should like them to know there’s room for them all,
And that Jesus invites them to come.
Little Edward believed the lady’s kind words, and soon he came to love the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, though he could not see Him.
He did not wish to leave the station, but stayed there and learned to read his Bible which one gave him. He grew up to be a happy useful Christian.
ML-01/02/1972