NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress
“Mary,” her midwife helper said, “here is your son. Now you need to learn to feed him.” She kneeled next to Mary and helped her rearrange her garments so her breasts were accessible and positioned the baby in Mary’s arms with his cheek against Mary’s breast. Immediately the child began looking for her nipple and in no time latched on and began to suck. When it seemed he was satisfied and looked as if he were falling asleep, Mary looked about for a place for him.
“Here,” said Rachel, indicating the manger, “This will be perfect. We’ll make sure the animals are kept away for now.”
Mary tenderly laid the newborn, now wrapped tightly in layers of cloth, in the manger and knelt at the side of the manger, gazing in wonder at the sleeping infant. Joseph came and knelt by her side and also looked wonderingly at the child.
“So,” Rachel asked, “Has this baby been assigned a name?” Traditionally, naming was a significant rite shared by the family. “You two seem to be all alone here. How will you name this baby? Or do you know what its name is to be?”
“Jesus,” offered Joseph.
“Yes?” Rachel looked inquiringly at Mary.
“Yes,” responded Mary.
“Saviour –“ Rachel said, “unusual, but an honourable name. Well, when he is circumcised you can decide for sure.”
Suddenly the tranquility of the moment was broken by a commotion outside the home. Before Salmon and Rachel had time to see what was going on a swarm of shepherds invaded their space. They seemed all excited about something and kept talking about blinding light, angels and singing in the night sky. They all suddenly became subdued when they saw the baby in the manger and dropped to their knees, bowing face to the ground, loudly praising The Highest One.
By this time Salmon had appeared and between himself and Rachel tried to bring some order to the scene. “What is going on here?” Salmon bellowed.
One of the older shepherds, probably their chief, stood up and bowed in the direction of the four, “Sirs, ladies, we beg your pardon. We were tending our sheep and suddenly the sky was ablaze with light and we saw an angel descend in front of us. We were all paralyzed with fear, naturally. Wouldn’t you be? But this angel told us, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 2:11Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 2:12This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-12).”
“So, we came looking in the town for where a baby had been born and some people knew a very pregnant woman had come here last evening so here we are (Luke 2:15)!”
“And here is this baby in a manger, just as the angel said. It’s a miracle!” the shepherd dropped to his knees with his comrades again.Turning back, he raised his arms wide and said, 2:13“Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 2:14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased (Luke 2:13-14)!”
Salmon and Rachel were speechless, ‘What was going on?’
Then the shepherds all tried to repeat the story to them and others who had heard the noise and were beginning to gather outside and peer into the door. They kept on praising Jehovah and finally, turning with one last bow to the astonished foursome, vanished into the night, calling out continued praise as they went.
Salmon and Rachel turned back to Joseph and Mary, “This is unbelievable; I don’t know what to make of this,” Rachel exclaimed, “What do you make of it? This baby, the Messiah, the Saviour? Indeed, you did say his name was going to be Jesus.”
“Yes, yes we did,” Mary said quietly.
“I don’t know,” interjected Salmon, “It just doesn’t seem to make sense. But hey,” he said, gesturing towards Rachel, “these poor folks have had quite a day. I’m sure they need a rest.” Waving his arm around the dark chamber he added, “Sorry again about the lodgings. We can take care of business in the morning and try to find you some better lodgings.”
“Oh, thank you,” replied Joseph and Mary, almost in unison, “How can we ever thank you for all you’ve done. Our Jehovah will surely bless you for your kindness.”
“Oh,” protested Salmon, “We really have not done anything much worthy of blessing. Shalom to you!”
“We will bring back more oil for the lamp,” said Rachel, “You will need a little light to get your bearings when the baby is hungry again. And I will bring some water to drink too. You must be thirsty after all that.”
Suddenly, Joseph and Mary realized they too were hungry. When the hosts had gone, they unwrapped the last of their food and ate it before Rachel reappeared with more oil and the promised water. They thanked her and drank some to quench their thirst before lying down together, exhausted, on the straw next to the manger. It wasn’t long before Mary heard Joseph’s even breathing signifying he was asleep. But her mind was too full of all that had happened and how it connected with the visits of the angels to herself and Joseph. She raised herself on her elbow and made out the form of her calmly sleeping infant. She reached out to touch his cheek again. He stirred momentarily and then settled. With that, Mary’s heart seemed to swell with an unbearable joy and feeling of contentment and peace. She lay back down and snuggled up against Joseph as the chill of the night began to make itself felt. Eventually, her fatigue overtook her thoughts and she too fell asleep.
