November 1998 Volume 79 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Chaplaincy
By David Marr

The Birth of The Century    From last month.

Decurion Gallio assembled his patrols at corners leading to the Bethlehem Central Arms. He had correctly assumed the shepherds to be heading in that direction. He was still puzzled by the glare that had illuminated the fields and the city. He would never forget those harmonious singing voices.

The previously aggressive shepherds walked quickly and silently along the main thoroughfare. Gallio noted a resolution about their attitude and countenance and he determined not to take any action that might aggravate them. No good biting off more than he could chew. This was a mob to respect at all times.

On reaching the hotel, the large group were met by an anxious publican with a couple of his supporters who were attempting to appease the shepherds and avoid further trouble. Publican Oberoi shouted to them several times: "Sorry chaps, but. there is no room available. Our premises are full." Gallio moved in closely with eight legionaries, two others remained to the rear ready to nab any would-be missile throwers. The shepherds merely pushed their way passed the hotelier and his minders and moved quietly toward the stables to the rear of the complex.

The publican was beside himself about what their intentions might be. Decurion Gallio moved into their path and shouted for them to halt. The group stopped outside the stable doors. Gallio spoke firmly and with a confidence that belied his apprehension. "Now everybody listen. The publican has informed you there is no room in his inn. So I'm requesting you to turn around and accompany me and my legionaries back outside the city gates and return to your sheep squats. Anyone failing to meet this request immediately will be arrested."

A spokesperson stepped forward. A giant of a man, unruly of dress, with tribal tats on his forehead and the back of his hands. He had a strong smell of sheep and his breath smelled like yesterday. He had no sense of personal space either and every time Gallio took a step backward, the huge shepherd took one forward. "Look Decurion, we ain't lookin' fer no trubble. We seen the glow in the sky and then an angel came an spoke to us. There was the 'eavenly choir too, singin' like we never erd before. Then this angel told us to come 'ere and see the little baby that's gunna bring peace an' happiness fer everyone. We're all going into that stable and we're gunna 'ave a look. Then we're movin' out. Not you or nobody else is gunna stop us"(or Hebrew words and accents to that effect).

Decurion Gallio slowly stepped aside, then followed a few shepherds inside. Just as had been described to him, he saw a young man, a young woman with her recently born baby boy. She had wrapped him in what appeared like a towel and placed him in a portable feed trough. Gallio, his troop and the shepherds watched in silence.

The big shepherd at last stepped forward took Gallio's hand and shook it. "Peace to you and your family," he said. Gallio smiled, "Peace to you too." Then they all shook hands and offered compliments of peace and goodwill. As the large group moved off, Gallio heard them singing harmoniously the traditional Jewish Peace "SHALOM."

Another account of this story can be found in St. Luke 2:1 - 20.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr
	Senior Police Chaplain.
	Tel: 8364 3567
Academy 8	Mark Thomas. Tel: 8296 9616
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens.
	Tel: 8398 2510 Office: 8398 2517
Berri 212	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Bob Borgas. Tel: 086 253 503
Christies Beach 20	Vacant
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke. Tel: 088 423 681
Communications 172	Mark Cooper. Tel: 8379 3764
Elizabeth 52	Stephen Brooks. Tel: 041 884 0739
Far North 210	Tony Redden. Tel: 08 8672 5011
Focus 21	Richard Lawton. Tel: 08 8363 2536
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke. Tel: 085 222 288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas. Tel: 8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Brenton Daulby. Tel: 8443 8286
Holden Hill 44	Tony Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
	Rod Dyson. Tel: 8365 1170
Kadina 71	Mark Dickens. Tel: 8823 2513
Kingston 208	Richard Dutton. Tel: 08 8767 2590
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth.
	Tel: 087 231 353 (W)
	Tel: 087 252 537 (H)
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill. Tel: 085 325 536
Naracoorte 208	Keith Brice. Tel: 087 622 303
Norwood 60	Bob George. Tel: 8362 2227
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald. Tel: 085 621 011
Para Hills 46	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Plympton 14	Ian Dempsey. Tel: 8210 8108
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake. Tel: 8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Vacant
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Shirley James. Tel: 0886 410 146
Salisbury 53	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Sturt 12	Brenton Williamson. Tel: 8270 4316
Tea Tree Gully 48	Paul Hammat. Tel: 8396 4141
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy. Tel: 8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd. Tel: 8443 4895
Unley 28	Max Bowers. Tel: 8272 8324
Whyalla 218	Vacant