Introduction

An uneasiness is brewing among the angels – for an eerie song has been echoing throughout the portals of heaven. “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel…”

Heavenly Conversations

Gathering the celestial beings, Michael, the commander of the angelic realm, announces that the Father will send a deliverer as in ages past. But this time, the deliverer will originate from heaven itself and will liberate humanity from their sins. “For God so loves the world that He is going to send His one… and only…”  Michael pauses, knowing that the next word out of his mouth will change both heaven and earth, “…Son!”  Cheers erupt at this revelation, but some angels are perplexed.

Guardian’s Calling

Guardian, an endearing, younger angel, is wrought with concern. If the Son was being sent, that meant that He was… leaving! Would He ever return?  How could this be? Though each angel will be given an assignment regarding God’s plan of redemption, Guardian, it turns out, was given the perfect name the day he was created. He alone is chosen to accompany the Son – to guard Him in all His ways lest He strike His foot against a stone. He accepts this assignment with reservation as the responsibility seems more than he can bear.

The Nativity and Nathaniel’s gift

Gabriel announces God’s plan to Mary – that she would bear the Savior of the world. On the outskirts of Bethlehem, lowly shepherds are the first to hear of the Son’s arrival with angelic fanfare. Running to the stable, Nathaniel is the last to arrive, but the only one bearing a gift – a lamb he had been carving. He lays the roughly hewn lamb near the Babe. Mary treasures this humble gift in her heart for years to come.

30 Years Later – Nathaniel’s Nightmare Revisited

As all are gathered in Jerusalem for Passover, Mary encounters Nathaniel the shepherd, now turned carpenter. Seeing the lamb he had carved years earlier, Nathaniel reveals that after that glorious night in Bethlehem, he experienced a nightmare in his personal life. For though an angel rescued Jesus’ family from Herod’s sword, his own infant son was slaughtered right in front of him. Now, his suspicions are confirmed. This popular teacher, this miracle worker named Jesus, is indeed the One he had worshiped that night in Bethlehem and is now being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare is increasing as God’s redemptive plan is unfolding. Satan’s lies are confusing Guardian, and he is certain that he is failing the Son. Since the Garden of Eden, Satan’s one strategy, to create doubt, is tested on Jesus Himself. The crowds are turning on Jesus and the religious and political leaders condemn Him to death on a Roman cross. Violently confiscating a crossbeam from Nathaniel at his carpenter shop, Nathaniel re-lives the horror the night the soldiers stripped his son from his arms. Scenes from Nathaniel’s past unfold, leaving him tortured with his memories as he hears Jesus being nailed to the cross.

Redemption Story

Nathaniel approaches the now desolate cross of Jesus, driven by a desire for closure and vengeance. Upon noticing his name etched into the crossbeam, he seizes a ladder and a nearby stone, frantically attempting to erase his name, wishing to dissociate himself from Jesus in both life and death. In his struggle, his hands become smeared with blood. In his increasing anguish, he picks up a piece of cloth from the ground to cleanse the stains, but the carved lamb, left there by Mary, slips from the fabric. Blood now marks the lamb too. Overcome by guilt and shame, Nathaniel finds himself at the foot of the cross, where Mary, the Guardian, and Nathaniel each begin to grasp the Father’s purpose in sending His only Son. Following Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb, all of creation rejoices and sings of the wonder of God’s love.