This Matthew the Shepherd figure
is from the Fontanini 5 inch collection. Made of a durable poly resin blend to resist chips and breaks. Matthew stands 5in tall. Story card included. Matthew is wearing an antiqued emerald green tunic with long sleeves and a brown belt. He has a mauve colored mantle covering his head and an orange-red blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He wears brown sandals on his feet and a brown satchel over his shoulder. Matthew gazes up at the sky while holding a lamb around his neck.
Select this link to view our Christmas Nativity Scene.
Matthew:
The sun was setting after a cool and breezy day. Matthew had been searching for a lost lamb since mid-afternoon. “Where could she be?” he muttered to himself. “She disappeared without a trace. I am worried for her safety.”
Joanna, Matthew’s wife, would have told him to trust in God to return the lamb to trust in God to return the lamb to its rightful place. Matthew prayed, “Dear Lord, please return this little lamb to me. Protect her from any harm.”
The shepherd combed the rocky terrain, worried that he would not find the lamb before dark. Matthew heard a terrible racket just over the next hill. Running with all his strength, the shepherd came upon a frightening sight. His lost lamb was caught in a thorn bush, her soft wool curled around the pointy branches. A wolf had caught her scent and was about to attack. Shouting, Matthew shook his staff and threw a rock at the predator. Yelping in fright, the wolf ran off.
Matthew calmed the lamb and gently pulled her out of the thorn bush. Kissing her head, he wrapped the shivering animal in his cloak. ”Don’t worry little one,” he said. “God is watching over us both. He won’t let anything happen to his children; and I won’t let anything happen to you!”
Matthew returned to the camp. His fellow shepherds rested around the campfire. Ephraim slept. Josiah played bagpipes. Gabriel dreamt of sheep that never strayed. Matthew gently returned the lamb, now calm and sleepy, to the sheepfold.
Suddenly a blinding light appeared in the heavens.
”Josiah, stop playing that instrument,” said Matthew. “Did you see that? I thought I saw lightning.”
Before Josiah could reply, more brilliant lights lit up the heavens. A beautiful voice said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”1
The shepherds listened in amazement as an angel told them of a holy child that was born in the city of David. The angel said the child had come to save God’s people from their sins. As the skies darkened and the angels disappeared, the shepherds packed their belongings. They were going to see the newborn King.
1: Luke 2:10-11