In my recent silent retreat, I was given the Jesus birth narrative to do a contemplative prayer on, which I did and it was an amazing experience and encounter with God. I wanted to record it down, and when I began to do that, I ended up re-telling the story of Joseph and Mary, and the birth of Jesus, found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20.
Since it is the advent and soon Christmas season, I have posted it here, and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing and learning from it. I would not have believed that I could learn so much, both spiritually and theologically, by re-telling a biblical narrative.
I have tried to keep it as close as I can to geographical and cultural setting. If you find any misrepresentation in there, I would appreciate if you would let me know.
Merry Christmas!
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And They Laid Him in a Manger
The story of Joseph and Mary, and the birth of Jesus
Dramatized and retold by Pearlie Ng
Painting:
His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful by Simon Dewey
Joseph ran into the house
looking harried and said to his wife, now heavy with child, "Mary, we need
to be going now. Caesar came out with a decree that we should all be
registered."
It was
only about eight months ago that Mary was found to be with child, and Joseph's
world was turned upside down. Mary was betrothed to him when that happened. He
had begun to love Mary and her gentle soul. He didn't know what happened, or
how Mary could have done that to him, or whose baby that was. But he had
decided that he will not put her to shame but to divorce her quietly.
That
was when the most unexpected happened. An angel of God appeared to him in a
dream and said to him, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as
your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will
bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from
their sins."
When
Joseph was awakened, he was shaken. It was too clear and distinct to be just
another dream.
Conceived by the Holy Spirit?
Save his people from their sins?
Joseph
could not fully understand what that meant but the rest of it was as clear as
day. And as he pondered on those words, do not fear, take Mary as your wife, call his name Jesus, he decided to do as told.
He
knew he will be laughed at, for marrying an impregnated girl. But he decided
that he will trust in God and do his bidding, come what may.
That
was more than eight months ago.
"Slow
down, honey. Where do we need to go? We need to be what, registered?"
"Bethlehem.
We need to go to Bethlehem to be registered, since I am of the house and
lineage of David."
"Oh
Joseph dear, do we have to? I don't think I travel at all in this state. The
baby is about to come."
"Yes,
we have to go. I realize that it will be difficult for you to travel so far,
which is why we must start off now. We will go in a slow and steady pace and
hopefully arrive on time. What do you think?"
"Alright,
but I think that place will be packed with people returning for the census. I'm
afraid there might no longer be any place for us to stay when we get there."
"Don't
you worry about that for now, dear. Let's just get you to Bethlehem,"
Joseph said as he smiled and planted a kiss on Mary's forehead.
So
they got themselves ready, donkey and all.
"At
least we still have that donkey. I can’t imagine how you would have to walk the
distance," Joseph said as the tied the remaining bundle to the saddle.
They
did not bring much, just enough for the trip. But Mary had reminded him to pack
enough cloth and some swaddling cloths for the baby, just in case.
The
journey was arduous. They had to stop more than usual to give Mary some needed
respite. Joseph was glad that they started the journey way ahead of time. It
would normally take them four days to get to Bethlehem. And it is already the
seventh day, but they were almost there.
"Are
you feeling alright, dear?"
"Oh,
I'm fine. It is just that baby must be having a ball in here with all the
movement I am giving him. He keeps kicking me!"
"I
think he wants to come out to see what's happening," Joseph laughed,
"anyway, we will be there real soon. There, I can see wisps of smoke. We
should arrive this evening. And I guess you are right, it will be a challenge
for us to find a place. But let's trust in God."
They
arrived in Bethlehem at dusk. The place was still quite alive at that hour.
Many people were already there. They were out and about setting up their place
and getting ready to settle for the night. Joseph gingerly led the donkey with
Mary along, trying not to bump into anyone.
"Mary,
there's the inn there. Looks like it is the only place in this town for us to get
a room. Let's go find out."
They
headed towards the inn. A couple of children running whizzed passed them as
they came to the door.
"Hello!
Any rooms for rent? Hello! Anybody there?"
"Oh
hi! I'm the innkeeper here and it has been crazy these few days, you know,
getting these people all settled down. And their demands! Oh! They do think
they can get anything they want as long as they shove money in my face! Thank
goodness, this census thing doesn't happen so often! Oh I'm sorry! Pardon me.
What can I do for you? If it's a room you want, I'm sorry I'm out. I've ran out
of rooms since Day One, and I have to tell you that this is the only inn here.
Which is why most people arrived way ahead of time and I have been at their
beck and call ever since. Will there ever be rest for me? No!"
"There
are no more rooms?"
"No!
No more rooms. Even the few good souls that offered their spare rooms in their
houses around here are all taken up. I'm so sorry I can't help you. I
got to go, I have this family who keeps asking for new sheets as if I am not
already washing enough."
"Wait!
You need to help us. Look, my wife here is heavy with child and she will
deliver anytime. We need a place, any place."
"Ah!"
"Please,
help us. Don't you have any place left?"
"Well, I would not want to do this to anyone, seriously—but you
are desperate now, aren't you?"
"Yes,
any place will do as long as there is a roof above our heads and a place for us
to rest."
"Alright,
you asked for it. I have the stable there. I know, it is not ideal, but it is
still a place you can use, if you want. Sorry, I have to go now. Did you hear
that? They are yelling for me. They need to be taught some manners!"
As the
innkeeper rushed off leaving them at the door, Joseph looked dejectedly at Mary.
Mary
smiled.
"Alright,
alright, I can hear your I-told-you-so. But let's go check this place out,
shall we? I don't think we have a choice."
The
stable turned out to be quite decent viewing the situation that they were in. It was not
big but enough for three sheep and their lambs. For now, there was just
one, with her two lambs, lying by one side of the stable. Their heads bobbed up
with inquiring eyes as Mary and Joseph walked in.
"I
think this will do," Mary said.
"You
sure, sweetheart? Well, we can clean up this side of stable and lay it with
some fodder here, cover it with the cloths you made me bring, God bless
you," Joseph smiled at his wife.
"We
should put these wooden blocks around it to hold it all up."
"Good
idea! It will also tell the sheep there—Shoo! No offense but this is our place
now. There you go, how's that?"
"It
looks good."
"Okay
then, we're set. The sun has gone down. Let's light a candle and get settled
in, and have our dinner. We have not eaten will all the excitement, or
frustration should I say...Oh! What's wrong? Are you okay? Tell me. Oh! You
mean the baby is coming? Oh! Oh! Baby is coming! Baby is coming! What should I
do? What should I do?"
Mary heaved and breathed hard. She felt the
spasms and contractions acutely. Hours passed and soon she really felt the urge
to push. She yelled and moaned in pain. Joseph looked worriedly at her, praying
and hoping. Finally, with the last push and wail, the baby was born.
Joseph laid him on the tired
mother, cleaned him carefully and wrapped him in swaddling cloths. Joseph
watched his wife and son in awe, he has become a father. He remembered the
words of the angel.
That which is conceived in her
is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name
Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins...save his people from their
sins…save his people from their sins...save his people...
"Joseph!
Joseph!"
"Oh!
Sorry, I sort of zoned out. Do you need anything?"
"I
am wondering where we should lay the baby tonight. This bed of fodder does not seem safe enough for him. It's too flimsy for a newborn, and I can't
put him on the ground."
"Hmm..."
"And
I can't stay awake the whole night carrying him, I am just too tired..."
The baby whimpered as if in agreement.
"I
know. Let's see...Hey, how about this thing over here?"
"What
thing? The manger?"
"It is sturdy. It is
made of stone after all. We can clear out all the grass. I'll go get some
water, wash it and clean it a bit. Dry it and layer it with cloth, the whole
lot we brought along. We'll make it comfortable, and I think he will just fit
in nicely. What do you think?"
"Yes,
I think it will work. Let's try it."
And so
they did, and they laid him in a manger.
Mary
let out a deep breath. It was done. The baby Jesus was born.
She
has been keeping it all to herself throughout the ordeal. Mary was one who
treasured and mulled things in her heart, unlike her husband who preferred to
talk about it. They had been discussing about his dream many times already, but
she has yet to say much about Gabriel's visit. Joseph did know of it. She just
has not said much about it yet.
Now
with the baby here, she remembered Gabriel appearing to her and the fear she
had when he did, and the shame she suffered in consequence.
Gabriel
had said to her, "you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the
Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there
will be no end."
All
she could think of then was the impossibility of it, since she was, and still
was, a virgin. The angel had told her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. The child will be called
holy—the Son of God.
It is
still quite mind-boggling but she had submitted to God. She knew she will be
the talk of town, but it was worse than she had thought. She could not walk in
the street without being sneered at. The men will usher their families away
from her, the women would not even look at her and the children would point and
laugh at her.
This was why she felt so thankful for Joseph. He had every right to divorce and leave
her, but he did not. He had protected her the whole time, encouraging and
reminding her time and again of his dream and her encounter with Gabriel. He
often brought her to visit Elizabeth, her relative, which made her feel better
when she was in her company.
She
gazed lovingly at her husband who was at that moment, baby-talking to his son,
to God's son.
But as
she began to look at the place around her, she felt a sudden pang of sadness.
Tears began to well up in her eyes, and before she could help it, she was
weeping.
"Mary?
What's wrong? Are you in pain?"
"No,
no. I'm alright. It's just that..."
"Yes,
tell me. What's wrong?"
"Joseph, look at this
place! From what you've told me and what the angel has told me, this is the Son
of God. And look what have we here to receive him? A stable? A manger?"
"Mary..."
"I
know we don't have a princely bed to lay him in. I know we don't have much to
give him. But we don't even have a bed, for crying out loud. A stable! A
manger, Joseph! We have nothing but the worst place for him!"
Mary
crumpled down, sobbing and shaking in tears.
Joseph
held her close, trying his best to comfort her.
Minutes
passed and Joseph said quietly, "You know back home when we were getting
ready and you were worried about getting a room, and I said to trust in God? I
think that's just it. There is nothing we can do but to trust in Him. Think
about it, we planned nothing of this. Not the conception, not the census, not
the fact that there is simply no room available, and definitely not the birth.
As you have told me Gabriel has said that this is the Son of God, and as such,
God is definitely in control, no question about it. He could wait till we are
back home, but he did not. The baby came. So he must have planned this. Don't
worry. God knows what he is doing."
"I
suppose so. But still…a manger? Who puts a baby in a manger?"
"I
don't know, honey, I don't know," he sighed.
Suddenly,
they heard footsteps outside the stable, and someone talking hurriedly in
whispers.
Mary
looked alarmed.
"You
stay put. Let me go check."
Joseph
peered out the door and found three men, looking very excited. One of them saw Joseph
and asked hurriedly, "You have a baby in there?"
"Huh?"
"A
baby! Do you have a baby in the stable?"
"Yes,
but..."
"And is the baby lying in a manger?"
"Yes,
and..."
With
that he began to exclaim, "We found him, Eythan, we found him! We found him,
Tomer! Praise be to God, we found him! I was right, didn't I tell you? We are
looking for a manger and where else would it be if not in the stable here?"
"Excuse
me, but may I know what is happening here?"
"May
we come in? May we come in? I will tell
you all that we have seen. You wouldn't believe it!"
"Well,
alright. Do come in. But I see that you have brought others with you."
"What?
No, there is only the three of us. We were watching the sheep and...Oh, I see.
Looks like we have awakened the neighborhood and they are all here. Look what you've done, Tomer.
Anyway, may we come in?"
"Of
course, of course, come in. Take a...a seat."
The
three shepherds scuttled into the stable. There wasn't much room for them, but
nothing would have stopped them. The people who were attracted by the commotion
came as well and curiously watched from the door.
"Look,
Eythan! Look, Tomer! The baby! In a manger! Just as the angel said. Look!"
"What
angel? Could you tell us what you saw?" Mary inquired.
"It
is not only what we saw, but what we heard! It was amazing! Alright, let me
start from the beginning. We were out in the field, Eythan, Tomer and I,
keeping watch over the flock as we do every night. Suddenly, an angel of the
Lord appeared before us. We were so afraid. He was glowing, shining! He told us
not to be afraid. He said that he has brought us good news. You could have seen
our faces, we were stunned. Eythan was shaking, wasn't he, Tomer? Good news?
What good news, I had wanted to ask, but I was frozen, speechless. He said that
today a Saviour is born, who is Christ the Lord. Christ the Lord! Imagine that!
We've just been told that the Messiah has come! And he said there is a sign. He
said we will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Yes! A baby! In a manger! Then you wouldn't believe what happened next. Just
when we were trying to figure out what the angel had just said,
there was suddenly a whole lot of them, the angels. They were blazing, it was
almost like daytime! And they burst out in the most glorious sounds I have ever
heard in my entire life! There was music! They were singing! It was spectacular! Then they were gone. Whoosh! Just like that. We were lost for a
moment but I immediately told Eythan and Tomer that we must come to
Bethlehem and see for ourselves this thing that has happened. We've been
practically running for an hour until we came to your door wondering if indeed
we will find an infant in a manger. And we did! Would you believe it? We did!
And here he is, here he is...Christ the Lord...Messiah."
The
air was still. It was suspended. The shepherd's account has mesmerised everyone
there: Mary, Joseph and those by the stable.
After
awhile, the shepherd said that they had better get back to the field where they
left their sheep and hopefully still find them there. As they left, they were
in high spirits, praising and glorying God for what they have heard, found, and
experienced.
Joseph
found themselves alone again and said, "Do you know what just happened,
Mary?"
Mary
looked at Joseph and slowly nodded her head.
"Did
you hear what the shepherd has said? The angel told him that they will find a
sign, a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. Think about it.
Would they have found him if we had laid him in a bed? There will be countless
babies in their beds in this town. And even if the Son of God would be laid in
a crib in the palace, would the shepherds be allowed in to see him? Now I'm
thinking about what was said to me in my dream. The angel said that he will
save his people from their sins. His people include the lowly people like us,
like the shepherds. He has to be found in the worst place, like you said, the
most lowly place, or he wouldn't be found by us at all."
"Yes,
Joseph. I do see it too. We did not give him the worst. He chose it himself to be in a place of the worst."
Mary
treasured up all these and continued to ponder in her heart.
What will the future days be
for my child, Jesus? How much worse will he be choosing for himself?
Little
did Mary know at that point that Jesus in the manger will soon be Jesus on the
cross.
© 2011 Pearlie Ng
All rights reserved
Rediscovering Advent, A 30-Day Guide for Family and Individual Reflection 
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