ELIZABETH
Mary is my niece. Her mother is my youngest sister. Perhaps because we didn't have a child till late in life or because Mary herself was a loving child, she was the favourite of all our nieces and nephews. She and I were especially close. It seems only natural that she would come to me with important news . But it was more than that....
To be told by a doctor that you are pregnant is commonplace, but to be told by an angel that you will become pregnant ........................... and carry God's own Son ! is far from ordinary. The sign the angel gave her that this was true, and that God could give her a child in this way was - me. Yes, me. For though well past the time for having children, God had provided and I was then six months pregnant. So Mary came to see for herself that this was really true and if it was ....
When I saw her ,I was overwhelmed with an awesome certainty that she was to be mother to God's Son and the baby inside me leapt as though recognising Mary's son, and all that he would accomplish. And together we praised the God who could do such wondrous things using ordinary folk like us.
Mary stayed with me three months, helping me as the time drew nearer and the tiredness increased so that everything was ready for my baby's arrival. She's a good lass, and she'll make a fine mother, I've no doubt........
GUARD In Herod�s Palace
Herod was furious. Not that it was unusual .But I had never seen him this angry before.
He called us in and demanded that we fetch the astrologers and wise men under armed escort. We hadn't a clue what they'd done to deserve this, but whatever it was.....It had made Herod really mad. The astrologers must have known it was going to be a bad
day. They weren't keen to come with us at all. But the wise men told them it might be safer to do as they were told. Very wise!
By the time we reached the throne room, Herod was livid. "What's the point of me feeding you and sheltering you under my roof, if you can't warn me of threats to my throne. I've just had three foreigners come and tell me of a new King of the Jews whose star has led them here from the East . I want to know what they're talking about. And I want some answers now!!!!!!!"
One of the astrologers spoke up - well it was more like a whine, "There is a star that is said to herald a great King's arrival, Sire" And one of the Wise men scratched his head and said. "In the words of the Prophets is written of a great King who will come
and be born in Bethlehem, Sire."
"Let's hope you have just saved your miserable lives! Guards take them away.......and WATCH them! Two of you go and bring the strangers to me. And be careful. Treat them as honoured guests!"
When we returned with the 'honoured guests", Herod was all charm and smiles...
"Gentlemen, gentlemen. I think we have your answer for you. The King you seek is foretold in our ancient writings. He is to be found in Bethlehem. Now, once you have found him, return here so that I too can go and worship him."
Poor fools! Couldn't they see what Herod was up to ? He'd no thought of worshipping a new King- he probably wanted the new King dead. I must get a better job !
THE WISE MAN'S SERVANT
"Never mind," he said
".Think of it as a challenge," he said .
"It's not that far," he said.
How many months ago was that?....And we're still travelling..! 'If you'd said last year that I would soon be travelling halfway across the known world -following a star. I'd have told you to have your head examined.......Yet here I am. Oh sure, I've got the excuse that I'm only doing my master's bidding - After all, I can't let the silly old fool wander off on a
goose chase with no-one to look after him, can I ? But he's almost got ME convinced. Him and his two friends. The way they tell it ,it almost makes sense. A King who
will be great and change the world should have some special sign to mark his birth.
I would have preferred to stay at the palace - the proper place for a King- if you ask me....which you obviously won't. But no, we have to follow this star. And where does it lead us to ? A magnificent palace? A jewel-encrusted domed residence fit for a King....?
NO, of course not. The way this journey has gone, I probably shouldn't have been surprised...But I was...
We reached a little town nestling in the hills of Judea. The star still ahead of ."David's town, name of Bethlehem." The master said." Just the place for the King of the Jews to be born." "You're kidding, " I suggested, and he gave me one of his 'you poor benighted fool' looks that usually made me feel like an idiot.
The star led us to a small house. I was totally fed up by this time. Another blind alley with no baby to show for it. This time I was wrong. There lying in a crib was the baby.
The master and his friends could hardly contain themselves. This was what they had travelled so far to see. This was the child who would change the world. They knelt down by the cradle and laid the gifts they had brought on the floor beside it. Could this really be the One??
WITNESSES
SHEPHERD
Out on the hills you get used to the silences.
Not that there is no sound, the sheep see to that. There's always some noise or other. But there is a stillness that can't be found anywhere else. Even sitting round the fire as the older ones tell their tales, you can feel the silence.
It was the same that night. Old Simeon was telling one of his long yarns. In the cold night air we were glad of the fire and the story. I was just beginning to nod off by the fire. Suddenly, a bright light shone in my face. I was about to yell at the culprit. When, opening my eyes, I gasped. A man...no an angel, it had to be....above us.. around us...
I sat up, and shielded my eyes. It was terrifying!
The angel spoke in a voice that was gentle, almost reassuring. "Don't be afraid. I bring you great news that will bring joy to everyone. Today in David's town is born the Saviour, Christ the Lord. Go look for a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Then you will know that you have found him." As we watched a whole company of angels appeared in the sky singing "Glory to God in the Highest"
Shepherds are usually the last people to hear any news- never mind important news like this. Yet God had chosen us...Quickly, we made up our minds to go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves. We decided to look wherever there might be a manger. Soon we came to a stable by an inn. A young stable boy asked us what we were doing there in the middle of the night. So we told him about the angel's message. "You'd better come with me then." he said. And he took us into the stable. There in the manger, just as the angel said, a baby boy. We knelt down in front of the manger. So this was the Saviour who was promised. And the angel had told us first!
WITNESSES
STABLE BOY
The town was buzzing with excitement.
Hordes of people were arriving every day. Friends, relatives, old flames were being reunited in the biggest census ever seen in the whole of Palestine. The work of the Romans, of course, but what an excuse to party!
The House of David ,every last one had to register in the town of David, Bethlehem.
The Romans were after more taxes - any fool could see that. But to refuse would mean death. So...why not enjoy being together.....? Not that I got much chance of enjoying anything! There I was stuck out by the stable as usual. "These are valuable animals" said my master, the innkeeper. "Our guests will not take kindly to them being stolen or mistreated. So see you guard and tend them carefully."
Humph!!
It was cold and dark by the time the innkeeper called me.. sorry, barked out my name.
"Come and tend to this donkey." he said." And take these folk to the stable. They can sleep there tonight. We've nowhere else for them."
I looked at the couple with the donkey. He was older than she. I looked again. The woman was pregnant...very pregnant! I led them round to the stable, feeling heart sorry for them. I have to sleep in the stable. It's my job. But I wouldn't wish it on decent folk. Smelly. Hot in summer. Freezing in winter, with only the animals warm breath giving any heat at all. I decided to camp outside the stable and lit a small fire to keep warm.
Then I lay down and tried to catch some sleep. Some chance! The baby decided to arrive that night didn't it ? With all the commotion and hot water, who could sleep?
The father was as much use as.....most fathers I suppose,
