Mary Did You Know
There was really nothing different about this particular summer’s night in Bethlehem, except that Mary knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, the world would never be the same. For this reason, she sharpened her focus, taking a snapshot of every detail, including the diamond studded canopy of the night sky. The beauty of it distracted her momentarily as she clutched her large belly. The twinges were few and far between but nonetheless, a reminder of her very pregnant body and the pending arrival of their son. Mary and Joseph had been travelling for many hours and she feared that the baby would come sooner than expected.
“Will we ever find a place to rest? Mary wondered. Surely God would provide, wouldn’t He?” It seemed like just yesterday the Lord sent the angel Gabriel who came to her proclaiming, “Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus”.
“Joseph?” she whispered.
“Yes”, he replied.
“What do you think the baby will look like? Do you think He will have my eyes or your nose? Will he have strong features like a king?
Joseph inwardly flinched and said nothing. He had no idea what the baby would look like. I mean technically, He wasn’t even his son. Was He? He quickly abandoned his thoughts to the familiar sound of Mary wincing and watched with concern as she shifted frequently, attempting to create some temporary relief.
“Do you think we will find a place to sleep tonight?” Mary asked.
“I hope so”, Joseph replied.
“I’m a little scared”, she admitted
Joseph avoided speaking and instead feigned earthly confidence by forcing a smile, eager to hide the quickened heartbeat that betrayed him. “Of course I’m scared. What if I’ve trusted the Lord in error? What if help doesn’t come?” (“Change my heart O God, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”)
The sharp pains came a little harder now and the ache in her lower back worsened. She lumbered slowly and with each jolt grabbed firmly onto the heavy woollen blanket to release some tension. Her ankles were noticeably swollen and dangled awkwardly in the far-too-small rawhide sandals. “Lord, are you with me”? The crisp night air was surprisingly refreshing as Mary’s body temperature rose and fell simultaneously with the sporadic throbbing of labour. Beads of perspiration formed a slow trickle down her brow and dryness formed in the back of her throat.
“Do you think we could stop for a drink?” Mary asked.
She immediately regretted asking the question as she noticed the creases of worry take shape on Joseph’s forehead. He didn’t wasn’t troubled often for he was a man of faith. (“It wouldn’t be just any man that would keep me as a wife. “)
Mary reminisced about that exact moment, many months ago, when she first exposed the virgin birth;
“Joseph, Mary said. I am with child”. At first, I feared he didn’t hear me but there was no mistaking the utter humiliation in his eyes followed by the accusing look of scepticism which pierced my heart. (How could I possibly blame him for his unbelief since I myself, could hardly believe that I, a virgin, would give birth to a son.) I pleaded for understanding, but he averted my gaze and in a barely audible voice explained that a divorce would be quick and quiet in an effort to avoid scandal. I had so many questions for God and wondered why His plan would hurt the only man I ever loved. My knees began to buckle under the weight of shame and I fell helplessly into a crumpled heap. Please God give him eyes to see and ears to hear. (“The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”)
It wasn’t long before the weary couple came upon a stream suitable enough to drink from. Joseph gently lifted Mary from the donkey and spread the blanket on the ground before her. She braced herself against his brawny shoulders and eased into a comfortable sitting position on the rocky terrain. He removed two small tin cups from their leather pack and rinsed them in the brook. The icy torrent assaulted his tired hands and yet, was so refreshing on his parched lips. He bent down to give Mary a sip of cold water and broke a piece of manna for them to share. He was so grateful that she wasn’t the type of woman to complain of her circumstances. And as Mary turned upwards to gaze at the sky, he caught himself staring at his young bride. She looked beautiful as the long dark hair cascaded around her face and his heart skipped as he noticed the humble intensity in her dark hazelnut eyes. (“There is something so stunning about a woman filled with the Holy Spirit, he thought. It’s a beauty that surpasses all human understanding”. “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”)
It was only a short time of rest before Joseph felt called to continue on their way. He reached down to help Mary back up to her feet, noticing that she too, was looking fatigued. He cupped his hands to create a makeshift stool and lifted Mary carefully onto the resilient back of the donkey. (“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”.)
Before long they arrived at the small Inn just inside the town of Bethlehem. It was well kept and Mary imagined it had been in the family for generations. Joseph tentatively made his way inside and inquired about staying for the night. Mary could hear the Innkeeper through the open window and although she trusted he was a kind man, he was unable to offer them a room. Mary gathered all her strength to climb off the donkeys back and bent over slightly in an effort to manage the increasing agony of pending delivery. Being unable, any longer, to contain her disappointment, she sat down and began to cry.
“Oh Lord, help”! And with the simple prayer ushered from a mother’s broken heart, the innkeeper softened and began to speak, “I don’t have much to offer other than a lowly stable. With a few blankets and some pillows, I think you may be able to find some comfort. I will bring warm water and cloths for your wife and we will pray over you while you are here.”
Joseph nodded his head in agreement. Mary could barely stand now and was grateful for a place to lie down. As they entered the stable, Joseph skilfully masked his disappointment, working diligently to block out the unpleasant odour and sweep aside the sizeable debris. Within a few minutes, the innkeeper, true to his word, brought several clean linens for Joseph and Mary.
“Was it God’s plan that I give birth in a stable?” Mary wondered. (“Be still and know that I am God”)
After many long hours, Mary delivered her firstborn son and named him Jesus. She looked deep into the eyes of her tiny baby boy and experienced a profound love she’d never felt before. She observed every inch of Him - His smell – The delicacy of each tiny finger and the way the two of them (mother and son) breathed simultaneously as He laid on her chest. Time stood still. The sting of childbirth vanished more quickly than it came. Oh why, did the Lord choose to bless HER in such a magnificent way? Would she ever really understand His ways?
It was late now and her tired body began to deceive her. Joseph tucked her under the warm blanket and adjusted the pillow underneath her neck. Mary’s eyelids fluttered involuntarily, but before allowing herself to drift off, stared in awe at baby Jesus. Her heart pounding through her chest barely expressed the emotional intensity of this moment. She took her index finger and very lightly traced the profile along His chin to His hairline. It was hard to tell who He resembled. There was really nothing striking about the way He looked and yet, she was drawn to Him in such a way that made everything thing else around her pale in comparison.
It was the soft touch of His mother that allowed Jesus to surrender into a peaceful, deepened slumber. Mary then kissed Him tenderly on the cheek, wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger because for some strange reason, that she could never possibly explain, there was simply no room at the Inn.
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