Once upon a time two shepherd boys lived in Kemugesi
village in the Mara Region in western Tanzania. Mwita and Wambura were 16 years
old and belonged to the Wangoreme Ethnic Group. After finishing the fifth grade
in the local primary school, their father made them return home to work on the
family farm. Even though they wanted to continue with their studies, they had to
watch their father’s cows and goats everyday. Yet the two boys continued to
practice reading and writing on their own.

    Sometimes Mwita and Wambura would herd their goats near
the big Catholic church called Kemugongo Outstation on the west side of Kemugesi
village. They would see the Christians gather together to pray, especially on
Sunday mornings. About once a month a priest would ride in on his shiny red
motorcycle to celebrate the Catholic Eucharist. Mwita and Wambura particularly
liked the joyful singing during the service. Although they belonged to an
African traditional religion, they liked the Christians very much.

    One Wednesday afternoon on 24 December, the Christians
gathered together at the church. About an hour later the Catholic priest came
riding up on his motorcycle. The same evening many Christians arrived at the
church. Kerosene lamps were lit and soon a big prayer service started. Mwita and
Wambura were very excited by the joyful singing. When they heard the whole
congregation sing "Glory to God in the highest" and the bells ring, and the
drums sound, they said to each other, "Let’s walk closer to the church and look
in through the back door." When the two boys first peered in, they noticed that
all the Christians were seated in the front of the church near the kerosene
lamps. Mwita said, "Let’s sit in a corner at the back. No one will notice us."
So they crept inside just as the tall priest was beginning to read a story about
a man and a woman who travelled to a town called Bethlehem where the woman gave
birth in a stable.

    After reading the story, the priest began to talk with the
people who had sat down. Mwita and Wambura listened very intently. The priest
asked different questions and the congregation responded. He asked, "Who is the
mother of the infant?" Together the people answered, "Mary." The second question
was, "Who announced this special event?" The people answered, "An angel." Then
the priest asked, "Who were the first to hear about the birth of Christ?" The
congregation responded with one voice, "Shepherds."

    At hearing the word "shepherds," the two boys, Mwita and
Wambura, were startled and let out a cry: "Eeeh!" Hearing this cry, all people
looked around to see where the sound came from. Mwita and Wambura realized that
they had been discovered and became very afraid. They jumped up and ran towards
the back door. Just as they were darting out the door in panic, the tall priest
called out, "Please don’t run away. Come back." The two boys paused as the
priest continued, "Please don’t be afraid. You are welcome to stay here with
us."

    So Mwita and Wambura turned around slowly and then
cautiously walked back into the church. The priest said kindly, "Please stay.
I’d like to tell you boys and everyone else about the Christmas story we have
just heard." The boys sat down. The priest retold the story of Joseph and Mary
and the birth of Jesus Christ in a poor stable in the town of Bethlehem. He
explained how the angel appeared first to ordinary shepherds in the fields to
tell them about the birth of Christ the Savior. He said, "The angel did not tell
the king first or the government leaders first or the bishops and priests first.
No, first he told ordinary shepherds just like most of us here in Kemugongo
Outstation." All the people in the church listened intently, their eyes wide
with amazement.

    After a pause the priest continued, "So, we can rejoice
that we shepherds and farmers were the first to visit the Christ child in the
poor stable. He is called "Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." God loved us
enough to join us as an ordinary human being first as a newborn baby, and then
later as a young boy and grown man who shared our daily life. Through His Spirit
He is still with us Jesus is here with us. Then the whole congregation broke
into a clapping song. Amid shouts of joy they sang:

    Amezaliwa hakika.
    He has been born. It is certain.
    Amezaliwa jamani.
    He has been born, friends.
    Amezaliwa Bwana.
    The Lord has been born.
    Amezaliwa hakika.
    He has been born. It is certain.

    Mwita and Wambura sang too. They were so proud and excited.
They said to themselves, "We shepherds were the first to see the Christ child."
And they continued to sing in their hearts:

    Amezaliwa hakika.
    He has been born. It is certain.