December 25- The Gift
Mary can see a bright light in the North from her place amongst the straw. All she knows is that she is whole. Complete. Her heart is full to the point of bursting. The Child rests against her chest, sleeping at last. The world is silent. The stillness reminds Mary of the quiet after a long exhale. A cow lows as it goes to its haunches and lies down to sleep. If there was a moment of perfection in life – this was it.
Joseph’s eyes drift from Mary and the Child out to the tranquil night. All the other stars in the sky pale in comparison to one lone star in the North. Not even a cricket dares disturb the quiet that seems to be a blanket across the land. They have reached the end of their journey but somehow, Joseph senses this is merely the beginning. The road ahead is one that all of mankind will travel. And the Child? This Child will be the one to lead them.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
From Nazareth to the Manger: Pains
December 24- Pains
Mary’s knuckles are white as she grips the hem of her garment. Her breath is coming fast and hard as she waits for the feeling in her abdomen to pass.
“Hurry, Joseph. The child comes.”
Joseph picks up the pace and keeps his face forward, his eyes searching through the last of the evening light.
“Bethlehem is just around the bend,” he states with more reassurance than he feels. He has said this at least 10 times in the last hour. This time it MUST be true.
As they finally round the bend in the path, Joseph exhales in relief. The town! He almost starts to run but a grunt from Mary as the donkey starts to bounce her up and down reminds him that he cannot do that.
When they finally pass into town, Joseph drops the donkey’s lead and races to the nearest door. Mary bows her head in silent prayer as another pain rocks through her. She can hear Joseph becoming frantic as he inquires at door after door. A few minutes later, the donkey begins to move and Joseph is leading them farther into town. He stops at an inn and pounds on the door with his fists.
“Please! My wife is in pains! We have a child coming! There must be a place!”
As the innkeeper turns him away, Joseph bellows at the sky, “Lord! You must provide!”
Mary does not take her eyes from the ground. The world suddenly seems so silent and still. As the last ounce of her hope and strength drift away, a light breeze cools the sweat above her lip. She hears a soft voice up ahead and to her left.
“There is a place.”
Within in minutes, Joseph is helping her down off the animal. She leans against him as another pain comes upon her. There is straw beneath her feet and the musky smell of sheep. She does not remember how she at last finds a place to lay down. She only knows the hour is at hand and the Child grows inpatient.
Mary’s knuckles are white as she grips the hem of her garment. Her breath is coming fast and hard as she waits for the feeling in her abdomen to pass.
“Hurry, Joseph. The child comes.”
Joseph picks up the pace and keeps his face forward, his eyes searching through the last of the evening light.
“Bethlehem is just around the bend,” he states with more reassurance than he feels. He has said this at least 10 times in the last hour. This time it MUST be true.
As they finally round the bend in the path, Joseph exhales in relief. The town! He almost starts to run but a grunt from Mary as the donkey starts to bounce her up and down reminds him that he cannot do that.
When they finally pass into town, Joseph drops the donkey’s lead and races to the nearest door. Mary bows her head in silent prayer as another pain rocks through her. She can hear Joseph becoming frantic as he inquires at door after door. A few minutes later, the donkey begins to move and Joseph is leading them farther into town. He stops at an inn and pounds on the door with his fists.
“Please! My wife is in pains! We have a child coming! There must be a place!”
As the innkeeper turns him away, Joseph bellows at the sky, “Lord! You must provide!”
Mary does not take her eyes from the ground. The world suddenly seems so silent and still. As the last ounce of her hope and strength drift away, a light breeze cools the sweat above her lip. She hears a soft voice up ahead and to her left.
“There is a place.”
Within in minutes, Joseph is helping her down off the animal. She leans against him as another pain comes upon her. There is straw beneath her feet and the musky smell of sheep. She does not remember how she at last finds a place to lay down. She only knows the hour is at hand and the Child grows inpatient.
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