Sharon Dow

I find I can’t quite let Mary go from last week. My new favourite carol is, Mary Did You Know. As I listen to the words of the song, I find shivers running down my back each time the singer reaches the phrase, Mary did you know . . . when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God. In John 14:9, Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Holding my own new-born babies was a thrill not equaled in any other human experience, but to hold the Son of God? That’s powerful. That’s profound.

But today it’s about Joseph, the man chosen by God to be the earthly father of His son, Jesus. There is not much information about Joseph housed in the pages of Scriptures, but we can make certain assumptions, knowing that God would want to place his son with a man who would be a role model and would offer love and protection for this baby. Let’s visit the stable again where we left Joseph and Mary asleep.

Joseph

Joseph opened his eyes, aware of movement. For a minute he wasn’t sure where he was, then it flooded his mind. The stable, of course. Why couldn’t I find a better place for Mary? She’s so brave. He shook his head in wonder. He reached over to touch her, but his hand found only empty space.

“Mary.” He whispered her name into the darkness, sitting up and rubbing his head.

“I’m right here, Joseph.”

Her voice was close but seemed to float in the stale air. “Where are you?”

“I’m just sitting on the saddle for awhile.” The words came slowly, like tiny puffs of air. “Go back to sleep, Joseph. You had a hard day.”

Joseph struggled from a sitting position and felt his way until he found Mary. “What’s wrong, Mary, I can hear the strain in your voice.” He crouched on his knees beside her. It was so dark in the stable that he was unable to see her outline.

Her hand reached out and caressed his head. “It’s nothing really, I . . . I couldn’t sleep, that’s all.”

“Mary, tell me what’s wrong.” Joseph felt his heart begin to race.

Instead of an answer, he felt Mary tighten, and heard a tiny gasp escape from her lips.

“Mary, what is it?” He could feel panic grip his body as he reached out to grasp her arm. In response she leaned against him.

“I . . . I think, maybe . . . the baby . . .” Another gasp followed the first one and this time she grasped his hand and squeezed.

“Oh Mary, not here.” He stood and lifted her in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder as he moved to place her gently on the makeshift bed. “You can’t have the baby here.” He adjusted the pile of hay to make it more comfortable for her.

A little sniggle of laughter came from Mary. “Joseph dear, babies come when babies come.” Her hand found his and gripped tightly. “Just don’t leave me Joseph,” Mary sighed.

“Mary, I promise you, that I will be by your side through everything that this night brings to us and as far into the future as we walk together. Before God, you have my promise.”

“You’re a good man, Joseph. God chose well.” Her hand caressed his face as the two awaited the birth of the Son of God.”

What an amazing night for these two ordinary people, chosen by God to be part of an extraordinary historic event that changed the world forever. May the spirit of Joseph; loving, serving, caring, obeying; be in your hearts this Christmas.

December . . . I turn the calendar to the next page, my monthly ritual. I study the picture, admiring the winter scene; softly falling snow gathering on evergreen branches, a one horse sleigh pulled up beside a small festive train station, a lighted church visible in the distance, its spire touching the snow laden sky.

Just the usual monthly duty . . . but no, not this month. It’s December: Christmas is coming. Coming to Earth, coming to my house, already singing in my heart. Carols have been drifting through the rooms for many days and my thoughts are turning to family events, gifts, decorating, baking; all the things that bring joy to my home. But I paused as I viewed the scene, giving thanks to God for His coming to Earth, for His gift.

Somewhere in my thoughts, I realized that I wanted to revisit the scenes of the first Christmas for a fresh look at the people in the stable that night. Today, I bring you Mary. I want to try to bring her to life for you.

People in the Stable: Mary

A young couple approached the opening to the rough stable, ducking their heads so as not to hit the dark wooden cross pieces. Inside Mary paused, resting her hand on Joseph’s arm.

“I’m so sorry Mary.” His voice was a whisper as he laid his hand over hers.  Her head dropped to his chest feeling the coarse fabric of his robe.

“Don’t be, Joseph.” Her face lifted to his and soft lips stretched to reveal the smile lurking there. “God is already here.” She moved away from him, lifted her arms to the roof and slowly turned in a circle. “I can feel him. Can’t you, Joseph?”

“Mary, oh Mary. You deserve better than this.” Deep lines dug into his forehead and between his eyes. He pulled on the rope in his hand, allowing the donkey to enter beside him.

“Joseph, dear Joseph, you’ve done such a great job of looking after me, but don’t you see? You’ve done what God told you to do. And He’s here, ahead of us.” With her head tipped to one side, she smiled up at him, playfully pushing her hands on his chest. “Everything will turn out just fine, Joseph, I can feel it.”

His arms stretched around her and he pulled her close. “Mary, you’re so strong. I . . . I just wanted better for you.”

“Don’t be silly. If God is here, what could be better than that?”  Her hand reached out and stroked the donkey’s nose as he nuzzled against her shoulder. “And you’ve been such a good donkey. You’ve walked that whole long distance with me on your back.”  A soft whicker was his response.

“Come, Joseph, let’s get our things unpacked. I just feel it’s going to be a long night.” A suppressed giggle escaped her curved lips.

“Let’s do it. It’s impossible to not be cheerful when you’re around, Mary.”

The two worked side and side in silence until the donkey was relieved of his burden and Joseph had found hay and patted it into a rough bed. Mary lovingly spread a blanket over the hay.

She stood up, one hand on her back, and surveyed their work. “There now, Joseph, it looks just like home.” A sparkle lit her eyes as she gazed at her husband.

                Night deepened as Joseph and Mary slept, unaware of the stable noises around them.

We’ll leave them there, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the events falling into place in Heaven and on Earth that would soon end their rest. The universe held its collective breath as the moments piled up that would unfold the ultimate drama in history; God and man combined in an incomprehensible union.

Join me next week for part two of People in the Stable.