Teman the Hunter - Fontanini® 5" Collection

Temen the Hunter - Fontanini® 5" Collection. 

Collector Note: reintroduced 2023.

The Story of Teman:

Teman was one of Bethlehem's best hunters.  His friends were shepherds who called upon Teman's skills to face the predators that preyed upon their flocks.

Terman was instantly recognizable by the lion's pelt he wore over his shoulders.  It was a trophy that marked the beginning of his reputation as a hunter.  After tracking the lion for days, he had finally come upon the mighty beast. Teman was downwind, so he was able to come upon the animal unnoticed.  As he raised his spear a dry twig broke under Teman's foot.  That was the only clue the lion needed before he roared and charged Teman.  The hunter stood his ground.  As the lion lept to pounce upon his prey, Teman's spear found its target, and the lion fell lifelessly to the ground.  Teman kept the lion's pelt.  It was his prized possession, and as time went one he couldn't imagine himself without it.

Teman moved from flock to flock offering his services as a hunter.  He was the answer to many prayers when shepherds found themselves facing elusive predators.  Always ready with a warm welcome for Teman, the shepherds were always quick to find a place for him by their fires and Teman would share news from camp to camp.  One night when Teman was sleeping under the stars at the shepherd's camp, he was startled awake by a light more brilliant than any he had ever seen,  Teman opened his eyes and an angel appeared before him and the shepherds of the Holy land.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I will 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.  And this will be the sign to you.  You will find a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

When the angels had left, Teman knew he must see the newborn Savior.  Teman, his friends, and their sheep journeyed together to Bethlehem.  When they arrived, the stable was crowded with those who had heard the news and everything was just as the angels had said.  While others presented their gifts to the Holy Family, Teman realized he had no gifts to share.  His only possessions were the clothes on his back and his spear.  But then he remembered his prized Lion's pelt.  It had been a part of him for so long he had forgotten it was draped over his shoulders.  He couldn't imagine giving it away, but as he grew closer to the baby Jesus, Teman could feel he was no ordinary child.  He felt that indeed he was standing in the presence of a child who was truly a newborn king.  With that realization, Teman placed the pelt that had meant so much to him at the foot of the manger.  From that day forward, Teman was often asked what had happened to his pelt.  Again and again he told the story of the miracle he has seen and of the treasure that now belonged to a true King.