A Captivating Christmas Story
It was the night before the dawn like any other
When an ordinary girl awoke with her mother
They quietly dressed and began their daily chore
Knowing what the day held and expecting nothing more
Off to the well with a vessel on her head
Then to the market to buy fish, meat and perhaps bread
Silently they worked speaking not one word
Repeating the same prayer that only God heard:
“I will bless the Lord at all times
His praise shall continually be in my mouth
We wait for Your promised deliverer
Our King and Messiah”
The day continued as it usually did
Cleaning, cooking, nothing new, nothing hid
An ordinary day in an ordinary life
Oh God, she thought, “I’m so excited to become Joseph’s wife”
She continued her chores with delight and contentment
Thinking about her marriage engagement
When a voice whispered her name close to her ear
“Mary” she turned around but found no one there
She heard her name again and again she looked
Then a third time and suddenly there appeared a shepherd holding a shepherd’s hook
His face glowed in the sun and his voice was gentle and warm
But there were no pastures nearby and a shepherd there was not the norm
She rubbed her eyes then opened them again
To see the shepherd walking forward, is this a game?
She stood still waiting then began to nervously pace
As the shepherd approached, her heart began to race
“Do not be afraid Mary” the angelic shepherd quietly spoke
He knew her name, maybe this was no cruel joke
“Rejoice, blessed are you among women” he said
“You shall conceive and bear a son” there is no need for dread
“But how could this be, I am a virgin and I’m not yet wed?”
As questions and visions of being stoned raced through her head
“The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and you shall bear God’s Son
And shall name him Jesus and above Him there shall be none
He shall be the greatest King to reign
And those who choose to follow Him shall never be the same
His is an eternal kingdom that will never, ever, end
He will be the Deliverer God promised to send
Mary, do you believe?
Nothing is impossible for God, you must believe to receive
Henceforth You shall be called Blessed
For you have been chosen above the rest”
Mary remembered the great Hope of her people and became quite still
With childlike faith she said, ” be it unto me according to God’s will
Here I am, the handmaiden of the Lord”
The angel left, his work done, heaven and earth were again in one accord
Mary leaped and skipped home to tell her mother
Of all the girls in the land, God chose her among all other
God’s promise to send a King was being fulfilled
Everyone would be elated and thrilled
“What?!?!” Her mother said in disbelief and disappointment
My daughter whom I raised to obey God with fear and discernment
What will people say?
How could my daughter treat me this way?
What about the wedding? Will Joseph want her now?
Her life is ruined, she said with a disapproving growl
What will her neighbors say? What will she tell her father?
Where did they fail and why did Mary falter?
As Mary felt her mother’s shame and rage
She thought of Joseph and if he would still want to be engaged
“My Shepherd, my God, I know that You see
This is not how I envisioned this blessing would be?”
Mary pondered if what she experienced was real
Just then she felt a tickle inside, movement of a tiny seed
She looked to heaven with determination and resolve
She will believe God no matter what would evolve
News began to spread as news often would
Joseph heard the rumor and his heart hardened as wood
As he was thinking of putting Mary away
The angel dressed as a shepherd appeared to him that day
The shepherd called him by name, “Joseph” he said
“Do not be afraid, Mary is God’s chosen handmaid
Take her as your wife for she will have a son
Who shall reign forever and above Him shall be none.”
Joseph stood still and knew this was real
He raced towards Mary, bewildered indeed
He assured her parents that what Mary shared was true
She is a virgin, the child within is the promised Messiah who will make all things new
Mary’s parents and Joseph worshipped God that day
There was quiet assurance inside, there was nothing left to say
Because of the rumors and commotion in her village
Mary went to Elizabeth who miraculously conceived in her old age
God was working His plan and setting the stage
When Mary arrived, the baby in Elizabeth’s tummy leapt
Mary and Elizabeth held each other and in worship wept
They both knelt and their hands they raised
Then Mary sang a song of praise:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:45-55)
Mary stayed with Elizabeth, they had a lot to say
Enjoying peace, quiet and much needed rest every day
Both carrying babies as part of God’s eternal plan
The destiny of each would forever change the land
Mary returned home to Joseph’s welcoming arms
A question to many, the religious had their own stone throwing demands
But God protected Mary and His son that she was carrying
With Joseph by her side, there was no need for worrying
A census was required throughout the land
Nine months pregnant, Mary and Joseph journeyed home as the law demand
So with their belongings packed for a long, strenuous trip
On a donkey they travelled, Mary held on with a very, very tight grip
Across the desert to the town of Bethlehem they went
Not realizing they were fulfilling a promise God made and meant
They stayed the course no matter how challenging
Mary’s baby was soon arriving
They came to the little town of Bethlehem tired and worn
Mary in labor, her baby was about to be born
Joseph knocked on door after door seeking shelter
God provided a stall in a stable, there was no place better
It was the night before Christ birth, the heavens were still
All angelic hosts were excitedly awaiting God’s perfect will
The stars were twinkling with delight and dancing with glee
Shepherds on the hill followed them and were amazed to see
Mary holding a new born baby in a lowly stable
Animals bowed in worship, the scene was not predictable
The stable was filled with a silent Holy presence
And the shepherds fell to their knees in reverence
Angelic hosts sang “hallelujah” to the Lamb of God on that silent, holy night
Those who were watching saw the true light
Heaven’s King, born of a virgin, God in human flesh
God’s gift to those who receive will enjoy His eternal rest
The story continues and this I attest is true
Read it for yourself in the Bible, Luke chapters one and two
Read further and you will see
This babe, born in a manger, Christ Jesus, is the only Hope for you and me
Because of this Blessed Hope we have within
No matter what challenges, mistakes, or sin
This undeniable truth we can trust
Immanuel, God is with us
“For God so loved the world
That while we were yet sinners
He Gave us His only begotten Son
That whomever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
Anne Vega
12/27/2014…..copyright in progress
Praying for God’s fulfillment in 2019
Happy New Year