THROUGH THE EYES OF ...
a donkey:
We've come such a great distance. She doesn't weigh much, and his demands are few. But I sense the need for caution. I feel a presence that is not a presence. So I go carefully, picking my way through the stones in the road, trying to keep the ride smooth and not to jar her.
The city is just ahead, and is very busy. Throngs of people and their beasts have gathered for what looks to be a celebration. The noise is deafening and I feel an urgency in both this man and this woman. She is so weary. I slow my steps as we enter the crowd, trying to shield her from the jostling mobs. Her voice is low. We must be patient. There are so many seeking lodging - - I am hungry and quite thirsty. She seems afraid. Is she crying? He's coming back from the innkeeper's door and in his arms he carries blankets.
AH, a stable! Some sweet hay and a little water! At last a place to lie down and rest! But I cannot rest. I prick my ears to hear the sounds she makes. A rustling. His soft murmur. And suddenly The Presence I have felt so long -- a lusty cry and He is here! With me! In this stable! I crane my neck around the corner of the stall and I see them! He covers the Child with soft wrappings. She holds Him close and kisses His head. She smiles as her tears fall on His blanket. Such a small Child, to change the course of the world! And the Light! The Light still shines amidst the darkness!
The baby sleeps and the light shines on. How blessed I am, a mere beast of burden, to have borne Him on my back. To have witnessed His birth. To have heard His first sounds. To have seen The Savior face to face. Thank you, Jesus!
II Through The Eyes ...
of an innkeeper:
My heart is sore within me in spite of the profits made that night. They came to my door, the man and his wife, two among hundreds seeking admittance to my inn. She was riding a donkey and looked to be near her time of delivery. He was soft-spoken and anxious to get them settled for the night. But what could I do? My rooms were filled with others who had come for the census. First come, first served. How was I to know?
She held my sympathy for only a moment as she patiently waited on the donkey. As a gesture of kindness and magnitude I rented them the stable - I even sold him blankets - and went back to my family who waited within, where there was warmth and food and water and comfort.
He made her a pallet of used hay and blankets. A lantern was hung midst the beasts and the dung. If they had food I do not know it. If they had water I do not know it. If there was warmth I do not know it. But there was no comfort. This I do know. What comfort could be found in rancid hay and beast-fouled air? And a Child was born - her first, they told me - and she called Him Jesus.
How was I to know He was the King of all the kings? How was I to know He was the Lord of all the lords? How was I to know He was the Light of the World and that nothing in the world would ever be the same? How was I to know how the shame would overtake me? How was I to know I would forever regret my brusque reply?
If I had known, I would have opened my doors to them, would have welcomed them in with much celebration. If I had known, my concern for their comfort would have driven the greed right out the window and would have taken first precedence. If I had known, the Light would have shown upon my heart and upon my humble dwelling - the peace of the ages would have entered my soul!
If I had known, I'd have given my own bed, would have given my very best to Him. I'd have given my ALL to Him ...
If I had known ....
III Through the Eyes
of Joseph:
He has been born, and Mary named Him Jesus, as she said she would. This has been a trying and wearisome time for me. I'm glad this part is over, but I sense there's more to come. How do I father the Prince of Peace?
Will this Child grow as children grow? Or will He be an oddity - a strange one - a millstone round my neck? Will I be expected to be perfect, as He will be perfect? Can I finally be a husband to my wife?
So many questions as I lie here in this barn. Who would have thought God's Son would be born? He is a pretty child - not uncommon - and He lies quiet in the feed-box, allowing His mother a time of rest.
God only knows what the future will hold for us. It has been written we will be persecuted and pursued. Perhaps this child, Emmanuel, Almighty God, will be the One to save us. Perhaps this child, the Messiah to our people, will rise up and bless us, his mortal parents. Although I don't expect any special favors, of course. My days have been pre-planned, it seems. But I can't help but wonder if all this is leading to something greater.
How will this baby Jesus save us from our sins? Is there a plan? Does He yet know of it? Will He speak of it with me? Will he love me? Will He let me love Him?
So many questions, as I lie here in this barn. I pray God will protect us. I vow to keep my promise. With God's help I will raise this Child as a member of my family. With God's help I will teach Him my trade and will guide Him to His manhood. With God's help I will nurture Him in the scriptures and will live for Him, an example of a man of God. With God's help I will provide for Him His earthly needs and protect Him from His earthly enemies. With God's help I will uphold Him as my Redeemer, the Messiah, the Counselor, the Savior of mankind. With God's help I will do these things. And now I pray for sleep. It's been a long journey and a long, long night. With God's help I will rest until the morning, when He will show me how to do what He has planned for me to do. Praise your name, O Great Jehovah!
Mary stirs in her sleep. I will blow out the lantern, though a Light still shines.
IV Through the Eyes
of Mary:
There is a worried look on my husband's face as he returns to me, waiting on the donkey, just outside the inn. I see he carries blankets, and my spirits sink as I realize we may have to sleep outside again tonight. The pressure in my back increases and I re-adjust my weight on this poor donkey's back. The journey has been so far - - and the trip has taken a long time, it seems. But we are here at last. And soon I will be able to lie down.
Joseph has been so very good! I know he doesn't fully understand what's going on ... I don't fully understand myself ... yet he believed in me, and has done his best to spare me from discomfort and from criticism. He lights the lantern in this stable as darkness falls over the city. The pallet he has made for me is soft and fragrant. The Child will be born soon, I think. I need to rest, but I'm getting so excited -- the Son of God -- MY son as well!! As I try to imagine what He will look like, I can only praise God that He chose me to be the one to bear this precious child. Oh -- there's a light out there that beams through the window -- could it be a star that shines so brightly? How pretty!! Joseph has come over to comfort me, and we speak of the star, and of our journey, and of this baby boy whom we shall raise together ....
Joseph is such a strong man. It seems strange to see him cry.
At last the Little One is in my arms. He is so tiny! His fists wave at us as if to say, "Hello! I'm here! Now feed me!!" His perfect little fingers curl around my thumb. As He snuggles closer to my heart I feel my own tears well up and spill over onto His blanket. How sweet He is! My first-born son! My baby, Jesus! - - MY LORD!! Incredible that one so small could be the one to change the course of the world forever! I kiss His downy head and place Him gently in the feed box. Such a lowly beginning for such a Mighty Savior! His eyes open slowly ... He has such beautiful eyes ...
He sleeps. It's so quiet in here right now, I think I hear my own heart beating. So many questions, as I lie here in this barn. I pray God will protect us. I vow to keep my promise to Him. With God's help we will raise this Child to be the King that He is meant to be. How will Jesus save our people from their sins? Is there a plan I don't yet know about? Does Jesus know? Will He speak of it with me? Will He love me? Will He let me love Him?
I'm very, very tired. It's been a long journey and a very long night. With God's help I will rest until the morning, when He will show me how to be the mother of this child which He has given. God's Gift to mankind. Praise your name, Jehovah! You have blessed me with your Son. You have blessed my people with their Savior.
I can't help myself -- one last look before I go to sleep. I touch His cheek and He smiles. Oh, Baby, I love you so ....
Jesus stirs in His sleep. The lantern is not burning now, though a Light still shines.
God Bless you this Christmas!
Good Day/Night
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