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| Merry Christmas from J.Q.Rose Hello and welcome! I hope you are looking forward to Christmas because ready or not, it'll be here on December 25th! I am sharing a short Christmas story with you today. I was caught up in all the holiday fun and food and needed a reminder of the reason for Christmas. It's not the tinsel and the fruitcake. It's Jesus' birthday! Whatever holiday you celebrate, please know I wish you joy, hope, peace and love this season and throughout the New Year 2022!  The Starry Night The Starry Night by J.Q.Rose |
Noor’s
eyes widened in wonder. The millions of stars faded in the brilliance of the star
in the night sky. The fields appeared as if it were mid-day. The sheep stood
silent all around him. What is happening? His heart thudded in his chest
for in all his eight years of living, he had never experienced such a moment. The
sound of sweet voices from heaven calmed Noor and peace overcame him. His
father approached him and whispered, “Hurry,
Noor, we must go to Bethlehem.” “But
why, Baba? What is happening?” “Did
you not hear the angel tell us our King is born, is here? Come, come, we must
follow the star.” “Noor.”
He stooped to search the boy’s face. “Listen to me. We’re leaving now. Stay by
me.” Grabbing
his staff, he scurried to catch up with his father rushing toward the path
leading to Bethlehem. As they followed the star, more shepherds joined in the
pilgrimage. Soon the men engulfed him. Unable
to breathe in the suffocating crowd, Noor pushed his way to the side of the pathway.
Finally free from the tangle of men, he stopped to take deep breaths. The view
of the star mesmerized him. The starlight seemed brighter. “Noor,
come on,” his brother hollered as the throng of believers swept him out of
sight. Noor stumbled after his brother but gave up. He was exhausted. The
next morning his father’s harsh words jolted Noor awake. “You never listen! You
didn’t stay by me.” Relief
flowed through him knowing his father found him sleeping alongside the path. But
sadness filled his heart. “Baba, I never saw the King.” Pointing
his finger to his chest, his father said. “Nor did I. Instead, I searched for
you everywhere!” His angry face softened. Instead of a whack, Baba embraced his
son as their tears trickled down their cheeks. Thirty
years later, Noor’s father now bent with old age asked, “Son, help me bring up
the bucket from the well.” Noor
leaned his staff against the well. With his strong muscles, he helped his dad pull
up the bucket so they could drink the refreshing water. Noor
and his father stepped away from the well, allowing the man behind him an
opportunity to go ahead. “Thank
you, Noor.” “You’re
welcome, sir.” His brow creased with a puzzled frown. “ May I ask how you know
me?” The
man’s gentle eyes filled with mischief. “Well, listen carefully. We never actually
met on that starry night in Bethlehem. But I know you.” He squeezed Noor’s
shoulder gently. “Today I can meet you and your father in person.” Janet
Glaser writing as J.Q. Rose copyright J.Q. Rose 2021 December
2021 YOU'RE INVITED TO A CELEBRATION JANUARY 4-16, 2022!
YES, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir was released by BWL Publishing on January 1, 2021, so we are celebrating that birthday in January. eBook giveaways, free stories--and it's easy to win! Just leave a comment between January 4-16 on this blog. Winners will be announced on January 19! Please come back and be a winner!!! If you can't wait, then visit amazon to pick up Arranging a Dream especially on sale for the celebration for 99 cents. Click here to download now. PLEASE NOTE: I am taking a break, but I'll see you for the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop on January 5, 2022!! 
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