The Birth of Jesus

The caravan arrived in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary noticed a long line of people. Joseph called out to a man in line, "Brother, why are you in line?"

"For the census," he shouted.

"How long have you waiting?" Joseph asked.

"All day. I hope to register yet today. If not, then tomorrow or the next day," he shrugged.

Joseph and Mary wound their way through the crowd looking for a place to sit and rest. The streets teemed with people waiting, talking, kids playing and merchants selling the out-of-town guests with whatever they needed. They found a spot on the edge of town under a tree. Other families dotted the area.

They had distant relatives in Bethlehem. Joseph would start with them. It was late in the day and he didn’t know where they lived. They could sleep where they were. Mary looked so tired. He prayed he could find a room.

Joseph did his best to make Mary comfortable then set out. It was slow going. He tracked down the first relative his father recommended. Joseph hoped he remembered him from sharing a meal during the Passover Feast a few years back. He remembered Joseph and invited him to sit and talk. They would have to sit outside as they had other relatives staying with them and there wasn’t even room to sit inside.

Joseph didn’t think he had room but asked, anyway. No, wished he could help. He even had people sleeping on his roof.

It was the same with each relative. He learned of two places that might have a room available for rent, but it was unlikely they’d have room either. It was late when he found them. None had a room available.

He went back to Mary. As soon as he sat down a boy walked up and handed him a plate of food. He looked at Mary who smiled at him and thanked the boy. She explained that while Joseph was away, she met the families settled nearby. She delighted that they treated her as just a married woman pregnant with her first child. They wouldn’t leave her alone. They helped her get comfortable, brought her food and water and kept checking in on her. It was a refreshing contrast to the coldness she felt in Nazareth. She now had several doting mothers checking on her. The food was from them. She already ate. It’s delicious.

Joseph marveled at Mary’s resilience. He told her what she expected, he didn’t find a room for them. He would try again tomorrow.

They woke up early. Joseph wondered if he should line up to register or keep looking for a room. Mary said they had time to register. She didn’t think they had much time before she gave birth.

Joseph retraced his steps from the previous day, starting where he ended. Perhaps someone who registered for the census left. However, nothing changed overnight. This time he mentioned his wife was pregnant and they would take any space. They had no room.

At midday he returned to check on Mary. She did her best to smile, but he saw she wasn’t comfortable. She was certain the baby was coming soon.

Joseph revisited each relative, explained about Mary and asked again. They regretted they had no room. They offered food, blankets and firewood but had no place for them.

Joseph walked away shoulders slumped and paused in the street to consider what to do next. “God give me wisdom,” he prayed. Mary was by herself. What could he do? He wouldn’t give up. He took a deep breath, stood tall and decided he would knock on every door of every house on every street until he found a place for them. Then he heard his name.

"Joseph, there you are!"

It was Saul, one of his relatives he’d talked with earlier in the day.

“Shalom, Saul,” Joseph said.

“Shalom, Joseph. We feel terrible that we don’t have room for you. As I watched you walk away, I imagined myself in your situation. I felt guilty for turning you away. We found you a place. One of my neighbors has a barn where you can stay. It’s not ideal, but it is inside. The heat from the animals will keep you warm at night. Would you consider it?” He asked.

"Yes, thank you for your kindness in remembering me and Mary!" Joseph said.

“Let’s go and I’ll show you where it is. If it’s acceptable we can get Mary,” Saul said.

The barn was a small cave tucked in a hill. A corner of the barn had room to fashion a bed of sorts for them. It would be fine.

Joseph and Saul went to get Mary. She forced a smile at the good news. She wasn’t doing well. They gathered their things and made their way to where they would stay. It was almost sunset. The barn would do for now. Joseph purposed to continue his search tomorrow for a proper room.

There was enough straw in the barn to fashion a bed in one corner. Joseph and Mary often had farm animals inside their homes at night. It didn’t bother them.

As soon as they settled in, Mary asked Saul if knew of a midwife. Saul said his neighbor is one and left to find her. In a short time, they returned. She talked first with Mary then Joseph.

It would still be awhile before they needed her. The midwife instructed Joseph how to take care of her and the signs it was time to call her back. They should go to sleep and if she didn’t hear from them first, she’d check back in the morning.

She left, and Joseph and Mary rested. They talked about their plans, and how having the baby in Bethlehem would change everything. Now all they could do was wait. They didn’t have to wait long.

Mary woke Joseph and said she needed the midwife. The baby was coming. Joseph hurried out to get her. A short time later he returned without her.

“Where is she?” Mary asked concerned.

“On her way. She didn’t expect you to give birth so soon. I hurried back so you wouldn’t be alone. She’ll be here soon,” Joseph said.

And she was. Not only that, it seemed like she brought the whole town with her. She shuffled in with enough helpers to deliver ten babies! In addition, other people stood outside the barn, looking in. What had been a peaceful barn transformed into a festive hub of activity as joy filled the air!

Joseph looked confused. The midwife saw him and said, “We’re happy for you! A baby is coming! We’re all here to celebrate with you. Who isn’t happy to hear a baby is coming?” she asked.

Joseph basked at the moment, grateful that no one knew their story. Here they were just a young couple having their first baby.

Then he was born. The midwife shouted "It's a boy! It's a boy!" Everyone cheered.

Someone called, "What will they name him?"

The midwife, whose command of the situation equaled that of any general with his troops, said "Shh! Shh! Just wait. Find Joseph," she said.

"There's no need. I'm here," Joseph said.

She cleaned him up, wrapped him and handed him to Mary.

The midwife asked, "Do you know what you will name him?"

"Yes, his name will be Jesus," Joseph said.

"That's a wonderful name. How did you come to choose it?" the midwife asked.

"It's a long story," Joseph said.

After everyone left, Joseph and Mary lay side-by-side, holding Jesus. He was here. The miracle happened. Joseph picked up Jesus, who was sleeping, and laid him in a manger. Mary was already sleeping when he returned to bed.

They awoke to a pounding at the door. Someone was shouting, "Is the newborn baby here? Is this where a baby boy was born this evening?"

Joseph hurried to the door.

"Yes, it is. Lower your voices or you will wake the whole town. Who are you? What do you want?" Joseph asked.

"We're shepherds and this will sound crazy, but we were out in our field watching our sheep when an angel visited us. Yes, an angel, and no we haven't been drinking. Well, not that much. That angel told us about your baby, didn't he?" he said turning to his friends standing with him. They nodded.

"What makes you think the angel told you about our baby?" Joseph asked.

"The angel said a baby boy had been born this evening in Bethlehem. We looked all over town and yours is the only baby boy born tonight. He pointed at Jesus. The angel said you will have him wrapped up and lying in a manger. There he is! Just like the angel said! Can we see him?" he asked.

Joseph turned to Mary, who smiled and nodded. They rushed in, surrounded the manger and stood looking, saying nothing.

"Tell us more about the angel?" Joseph asked.

"Sure. Like I said, we were out in the fields watching our sheep. One moment it was just us, the next moment an angel stood in front of us. He scared us. The angel must've known because he said, 'Don't be afraid!' Then he added, 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

“Then the angel said, ‘and you will recognize him by this sign: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Then one more thing happened. Suddenly, a vast host of other angels joined him. They filled the sky! Then all together they said, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”

"Then the angels disappeared as quickly as they came. We had find this baby!"

"That's it. That's what happened. We are so excited that God chose us, lowly shepherds, to tell about the birth of the Savior. You folks must be special," he said.

They sat down and talked a while. Joseph and Mary told them their story. They told how the angels visited them and how they came to be in Bethlehem. After a while, the baby stirred. It was time to feed him.

17 When they had seen him, the shepherds spread the word concerning what the angels said about this child, 18 and it amazed all who heard what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which they angel told them.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, they named him Jesus, the name the angel had given him