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WHO STAYED BEHIND?
Who stayed behind to tend the flock
        when the shepherds to Bethlehem went?
Did one poor heart ache because he had
        to stay when by angels they were all sent
To see the wondrous gift from heaven
        of the Saviour promised so long ago,
Laying in a manger wrapped in waddling
        bands, he must have wanted to go.

Yet on that special night maybe they need
        not have to guarded their flock that night,
For the whole world would be filled with
        God’s everlasting truth and light so bright,
No beast however hungry would on this holy
        night attack those gentle, hapless timid sheep,
And those who steal and plunder would be
        touched with goodness and sweetly sleep.

Or there could have been left behind a guardian
        angel sent down from heaven’s glory above?
So all the shepherds could go and worship that
        child who brought peace and everlasting love.
But I feel that every hunting beast’s mouth was
        closed, or they no real hunger that night felt.
And all the thieves and robbers that prowled at
        night in sweet prayer quietly and humbly knelt.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson November 24, 2003