Christmas--An Advent Parable

[Gregory Matthews]

AN ADVENT PARABLE

by Chaplain (Colonel) Gary R. Councell,

with humblest apologies to Saint Matthew and Dr. Luke

 

 

            Jesus was coming to Hawaii.  Everybody expected it.  You could not be stationed here very long without hearing about it.  The coming of Jesus was talked about, sung about and preached in all the chapels.  According to those who studied the prophecies of His coming, the time was very near.  Early one morning, several soldiers guarding the gates were discussing the signs of Jesus’ coming.  They believed the event was soon to happen.  Suddenly, a bright light blinded them.  They shielded their eyes, thinking that it might be an approaching car with head-lights on bright beams.  Then they were afraid it was a plane, frantically trying to find a landing place, or possibly worse.  But as their eyes grew more accustomed to the light, they perceived beings that looked faintly like pictures they had seen of angels – only far more glorious.  Before they could turn away, one of the beings spoke, “Don’t be afraid.  I bring good news.  Jesus has arrived.  He’s here at Fort Shafter.”  Then the angel told them where He was staying. 

 

            No sooner had he finished telling them the great news, than a whole company of angels joined him and together they sang the sweetest music the soldiers had ever heard.  Then they were gone.  The soldiers rushed off to the place they were told Jesus could be found, and sure enough, everything was just as the angel had said it would be. 

 

            Around 0800 the privates burst into headquarters and exclaimed to the secretary, “Jesus is here!  Quick, call the chaplains.  Jesus came last night and we saw Him ourselves...  or maybe you have already heard about it,” they finished a little sheepishly.  “None of the chaplains have come in from PT yet,” the secretary replied.  “Could I make an appointment for you, say around 1100?”

 

            The privates agreed and left, but decided to let Operations and Security know about these important events.  But all those important officials were busy with briefings, so they decided to stop by the Sergeant Major’s Office.  His driver said he was chairing a meeting and would not be available the rest of the morning.  So while they were waiting, the privates tried to tell their story to anyone and everyone they met.  A few people seemed to believe them, and some even asked for directions to where Jesus was staying, but mostly, their tale was met with stares, knowing smiles and rolled eyes. 

 

            Finally, the time came for their appointment with the chaplains.  Eagerly, they repeated their story.  The chaplains exchanged glances and asked a few polite questions.  At the end of the interview they promised to discuss the matter at their next staff meeting, and if deemed important for the whole community to know, they would offer it to the Chief of Staff to be put on his agenda for the next staff meeting. 

 

A few weeks later, some distinguished looking gentlemen in civilian suits arrived from Washington, D. C., asking questions about where they could find Jesus.  Someone sent them to the Chaplains Office.  When the receptionist heard their request, she hurried into the chaplain and nervously asked what she should tell them.  “They obviously are not Christians, but they appear very important and wealthy.  We should not offend them,” she said. 

 

            The chaplain invited them in.  Soon rumors were flying all over post about the angels and visitors from D. C.  But everybody knew that if Jesus really came to Fort Shafter, He would surely follow proper protocol and coordinate His visit with the Commanding General through the senior chaplain and SGS.  The clergy and brass would be the first to know, not some privates.  So the people dismissed the reports and continued to anticipate the time when Jesus would really come to their community.

 

 

See the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, chapters one and two;

and Luke, chapters one and two, for an older and more accurate

accounting of these events.