Episode Transcript
[00:00:04] Speaker A: Hi, this is Pastor Scott and I will share with you a story that I wrote for the Christmas Eve Family and Children's Service 2025, and it is entitled the Christmas Jackal.
All is quiet on the hillside outside of Bethlehem.
The only activity is shepherd's watching their flocks by night.
But then, what is that sneaking over the hill behind the back of the shepherds?
Oh no. A golden jackal, common to the region.
Is it here to eat the sheep?
[00:00:50] Speaker B: There's a nice big juicy one.
Yummy.
[00:00:56] Speaker A: Before the jackal can pounce on the unsuspecting sheep, there is a bright divine light and an angel of the Lord along with the heavenly host appears before the shepherds. And the shepherds are not afraid.
The angel announces to the shepherds.
Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.
To you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will lying in a manger.
[00:01:40] Speaker B: Well, what just happened?
The light blinded me and I couldn't see well enough to get my dinner.
And what was that angel talking about?
It must have been something special.
I will follow the shepherds and see what this is all about.
Besides, I can grab a la anytime and have a late dinner.
[00:02:07] Speaker A: The angels guide the shepherd's sheep and the lowly jackal to the inn.
There they find Mary, Joseph and the newborn who is wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger which had been an animal trough.
Look.
[00:02:27] Speaker B: Look how tired the poor parents are.
I wish I could see the baby who is getting all the attention from the shepherds and angel alike.
But I do not want to get close enough to be seen.
Those mean old shepherds will try to chase me away, or worse.
[00:02:47] Speaker A: And then the wise ones from the east came with their animals.
They told those gathered that they had followed a heavenly star to this spot and which now shines directly on this child.
[00:03:03] Speaker B: What are these strangers in their magnificent garments doing?
[00:03:09] Speaker A: Hmm?
[00:03:10] Speaker B: I wonder if the animals with the humps would be good eaten.
[00:03:16] Speaker A: What are they giving the baby?
[00:03:19] Speaker B: Their treasure chests are filled with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What is everyone doing?
They're all bowing.
All the human and angelic heads lowered.
All the animals are stretching their front legs forward as if to bow.
I can't stand it.
Everyone is close enough to see this special baby.
[00:03:45] Speaker A: But me, I have to see the.
[00:03:48] Speaker B: Baby'S face, even just for a quick glance.
[00:03:54] Speaker A: Everyone was so fond of on humble adoration that they didn't see the jackal right away, but when they did, there were shrieks of fear from the animals and angry shepherds grabbed their staffs and were about to strike the lowly jackal when the angel who announced the baby to the shepherd yelled, stop.
Immediately.
The shepherd stopped and all was quiet again.
[00:04:29] Speaker B: Then the angel came up to me, laid a shiny warm hand on my.
[00:04:35] Speaker A: Side and guided me forward to the manger.
[00:04:42] Speaker B: At first the baby's parents looked apprehensive, but the angel gave them a reassuring glance and they stepped back into place.
I stuck my face in the manger.
[00:04:55] Speaker A: And lo and behold the baby Messiah.
[00:04:58] Speaker B: Who the angels proclaimed, raised his little arm and touched the side of my nose.
Little old me, a jackal known for hunting and killing birds and domestic animals the size of a water buffalo, was trusted with someone as vulnerable and valuable as this messianic baby.
We were considered evil by the Hindus, Buddhists and the people of Israel.
Every religion's philosophy described us as cunning cheats.
The Egyptians claimed the jackal had supernatural powers of evil and they were to be feared or we were to be feared in this world and the next.
The Bible said that because we lived in the most desolate places, we were to be despised and even said to be a symbol of Satan.
Yet here I am, trusted, loved.
[00:06:06] Speaker A: Isaiah 11:6 is fulfilled tonight.
The jackal or wolf shall live with the lamb.
The leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
[00:06:25] Speaker B: And when Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus had to flee to Egypt, they were not alone.
Not only did the new family have angels guiding them, but they had a jackal, me, who would give his life to protect the baby who loved me so.
All of you, child and adult alike, you're like me.
[00:06:52] Speaker A: You are less than perfect.
[00:06:54] Speaker B: But our Messiah came that Christmas night to make you whole, acceptable and loved.
On this night, picture yourself walking up to the manger, putting your hand in and letting the Christ child grab hold of your pinky.
When he does, that divine light will.
[00:07:16] Speaker A: Fill your heart and make you whole.
[00:07:20] Speaker B: Like it did me.
Now you are part of the Christmas message, a message of acceptance and renewal.
Because if there is a blessing for a cursed jackal like me, there is a blessing for a meaningful life eternal for us all.
Amen.
[00:07:48] Speaker A: And all those, animal, human and angelic alike, went back to their lives filled with the glory of God.
Amen.
Before we go, let us pray.
Dear Lord, we, like that little golden jackal are imperfect and we need you. Lord.
And you came on Christmas night and made us all acceptable, loved and whole.
Thank you.
And may we turn to you each day, not just on Christmas Day, but every day, thanking you, loving you and making you the center of our lives.
And we ask this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Good night, Sam.
