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Part 2: A Modern Nativity
A couple of months later they went to the hospital for their appointment. Everything was fine and the specialist tried to put their fears to rest. The pregnancy was progressing normally though they would need to come in for further tests over the next few weeks. The baby should be born around the end of January. Their next appointment was to be the 10th January. Joe asked if they could travel and the specialist became concerned. How far, where to, where would you stay? In the end she would recommend staying at home but could not prevent them doing what they needed to do. When they got home they rang Mary's mother. They still couldn't see how they could get away. Mary's mum said they understood though Mary should know her father was a lot worse. He was still at home but the doctor was talking about him going into the hospice soon after Christmas. When they came off the phone Mary broke down. She must go.
“Surely if we're careful, and we could be back long before the appointment. I just have to see him before it's too late.”
Joe sighed but realised that this was a journey they had to make no matter the risks. So the following morning they caught the plane and flew to Invercargill and picked up a hire car at the airport. It was a long drive to the family farm and it was growing dark when they pulled up the long drive leading to the farmhouse. They were astounded to see so many cars outside the home. Joe rang the bell and they went in shouting,
“Hi Mum, Dad, it's Mary and Joe”.
When they opened the lounge door they staggered to see people everywhere. Every chair and spare bit of carpet was taken. All of Mary's brothers and sisters were there. Nieces and nephews chatted and played games. Her Aunts and Uncles had all managed the journey, even Uncle Zack, who was 85, had come from Christchurch. Mary's Mum was overjoyed. She rushed across the room, barely avoiding tripping over the children's toys. She hugged them both then the words
“I never thought you'd be able to come. Your father will be so pleased to see you. But you shouldn't have. What about the baby. Come and sit down. No come and see Simon”
So down the hall they went and Mary held her father in her arms whispering that he was a very special person.
It was only as they came back into the lounge that Jimmy, the youngest nephew, said
“But where are they going to sleep!”
An uncomfortable silence followed. Mary's Mum explained that with the family all turning up not only were their own bedrooms full but also those in the hotel in town. Joe said he'd already thought of that and that they had sleeping bags and would go down to the woolshed. It was a beautiful warm summer's night and they would be fine. Protests erupted from all in the room. After much discussion it was agreed. Supper was served and then one by one the family dispersed to their various accommodations. Joe and Mary drove down to the shearing shed where Joe made up a bed of hay bales to make their night as comfortable as possible. Suddenly Mary gave a cry.
“I think I'm going into labour”.
Joe stared disbelieving. “But you are not due for another month at least”.
“Tell that to the baby,” Mary said through clenched teeth.
Joe used his cellphone to contact the local hospital who said in the circumstances not to move her and a specialist team would be on its way. He then rang through to farmhouse. There was not much else he could do. After a surprisingly short labour the baby was born. A boy. Their own baby boy. The most beautiful baby in the world. Joe took the baby and washed him before giving him back to Mary. As Mary settled back on the hay a flock of sheep peered through a gap in the boards and baaaed their approval.
Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her firstborn son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:5-7
The Family and Friends
In the biblical story family is important. As soon as she can arrange it Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth only to find that in old age she is pregnant too.
Mary visits Elizabeth Luke 1:39-80
- Why do you think Mary wanted to make the long journey to see her cousin?
I have used the pretext of a father's illness to make the couple return to the family home. In other circumstances the family may have gone to the place of the birth.
- What part does family play in expecting a baby today?
- When family are far away what role do friends have?
The Innkeeper and His Stable
Traditionally we have understood the “Inn” to be a hotel that was full of strangers. In a TV programme “The Son of God” scholars said it was more likely as Joseph was returning home because of the census he would have stayed with relatives whose house was filled to the brim and so they slept with animals in another part of the household. By the time the Wise Men arrive they seem to be in the house proper.
Luke 2:6-7; Matthew 2:9-11
- What would it have been like that night in the animal shelter?
In my story I have the couple return to the family farm.
- Where are the innkeepers today?
- Where could the family have found shelter?