How a shepherd visited us

"There were shepherds, living in the fields, watching over their flocks." (The nativity, in Luke's Gospel) 

Nowadays it is still the case.
I traveled frequently through Africa, Maghreb and Palestine; I saw people watching over a handful of sheep and goats. They were often poor people, often children.

Also in Paris, in the middle of the big city, you find poor shepherds.
Here is how one of them came to my parent’s home, on Christmas eve, and sat at our table, sharing with us the champagne and the foie gras, the oysters and the salmon, in the light of the silver chandelier and of the Christmas tree.

It happened when I was around 25 years of age, I was serving in the civil service because I was a consciencious objector. I refused to serve in the military. I served two years instead of one. I chose to serve in a shelter for street boys, in Paris.

One day I found a boy, Franck. He was sitting and begging at the entrance door of the Galleries Lafayette. He was very young, maybe 20 years old, he was dirty, and obviously homeless. I sat next to him and we began to talk. He was a poor uneducated boy, not handsome, skinny, but he was joyful and had many dreams he wanted to achieve. We talked for a long time. Then I gave him the address of our shelter. Later on, he showed up. I took care of him, He got new clothes from the women in the shelter, got Metro tickets, and got hot meals. And I loved to spend time with him and watch him get better.

Christmas was approaching. At that time, I did not live with my parents any more, but Christmas was a time when we would gather at their home together with my three brothers. I was a little concerned about the selfishness of having, year after year, Christmas Eve just among ourselves. Therefore I asked my parents if we could have Franck invited. They accepted it, although reluctantly.

That night, I brought him. He had never been in a house like ours. He had never known such a dinner. He instantly loved my parents and my brothers. He was so happy !
He was the enlightment of that night.

My brothers had presents for him, and he also had brought presents, very modest, and at the same time very touching. My family remembers that Christmas Eve above all !
The shepherd visited us. He brought us the blessing. When I remember this night, my heart rejoices and sings.

Glory to God in the highest – and peace to his people on earth.