Ep 13. The Lord is My Shepherd (1)

The Lord is My Shepherd (1) is the thirteenth episode of the first season of Little House on the Prairie. It first aired on December 18, 1974, and was written and directed by Michael Landon.

The episode begins with Laura running through a field to catch up with her pa, Charles Ingalls, who is out hunting. They make their way back to their home on the prairie where they are met by their family and friends. The day is filled with joy and laughter as they celebrate Christmas together. However, the festivities are cut short when Charles receives some terrible news.

His friend, Mr. Edwards, who is expected to arrive for the Christmas celebrations, has been lost in the wilderness. Charles, along with his daughters Laura and Mary, set out to find Mr. Edwards. They are soon joined by a search party consisting of their friends and neighbors.

As they embark on their search, they face many challenges. It is cold, snowy, and the wilderness is unforgiving. The group must move quickly before the weather leaves them stranded. Meanwhile, at the Ingalls' home, Caroline tends to their youngest daughter, Carrie, who is ill.

Elsewhere in town, Reverend Alden is working on his sermon for Christmas Eve. His message is one of hope and belief in the goodness of God. He spends much of his time visiting and helping those in need, including the sick and the poor.

As Charles and his group continue their search, they come across Mr. Edwards who is in bad shape. He has been severely injured and cannot walk. The group realizes they must carry him back to civilization. The journey is long and arduous, but they refuse to give up hope.

Back in town, the Christmas Eve service begins. Reverend Alden delivers his message of hope, inspired by the strength and perseverance of those on the search for Mr. Edwards. The Ingalls family and their friends are not in attendance because they are still out in the wilderness.

As the night wears on, Charles and his group finally make it back to civilization with Mr. Edwards. The town rejoices at their safe return. Charles returns home where he finds Caroline comforting Carrie, who is feeling better.

The episode ends on a joyous note as the Ingalls family and their friends gather for a Christmas meal. They are grateful for each other's company and the blessings of life. They reflect on the goodness of God, who has seen them through the trials of the past few days.

Overall, The Lord is My Shepherd (1) is a heartwarming and uplifting episode of Little House on the Prairie. It is filled with themes of hope, perseverance, and the strength of community. The episode is a fitting reminder of the importance of faith, family, and friends, especially during difficult times.