From Nazareth to the Manger: The Holy City

December 23- The Holy City

Joseph was focused on putting one foot in front of the other. The hill he was now attempting seemed to be never ending. At last, Joseph sensed he had reached the zenith. The donkey exhaled. Mary’s breath caught in her throat. Joseph raised his head to examine the scene before him.

Stretched out in the distance was the Holy City of Jerusalem. The city was set on multiple hills. On the highest hill, Mount Moriah, sat the Temple. Its golden dome glittered in the sunlight and put to shame the expanse around it. It was a moment of majesty and the young couple stood in silence, exhausted and in awe.

From her perch on the donkey, Mary sensed a tightening in her abdomen. These small feelings deep in her belly had started this morning. She suffered them in silence, hoping the Child within was merely stretching the confines of His chambers. Now, as she looks upon the Holy City, several of these sensations happen at once. Mary sets her jaw and bows her head. Joseph says nothing, assuming she is taking in the wonderful sight before them.

They cross through the city and take the gate that will lead them on towards Bethlehem. Once on the outskirts they begin to pass shepherds farther up in the hills. Sheep lazily graze on the cool grass above. One shepherd in particular is chasing after a wayward lamb far out on the edges of a cliff. Mary watches as he coaxes it back towards him and then drapes it over his shoulders for the trek back towards the herd. Hours later, another shepherd stands alone and watches as the two of them pass him by. Ever so slightly he nods at the two of them. He seems to be waiting for something. What that may be, Mary does not know.

Looking around, Joseph notes a silence to the air. The birds have gone quiet in the trees as if they were anticipating a change in the weather. The sky overhead was dotted with clouds. The setting sun was casting shadows across the plain that stretched down on Joseph’s left. The world was holding its breath as if anticipating the closure of both the day and an era.