I have had to do a lot of research to complete my recent Christmas stories, so much so that I even carefully read the Bible’s accounts of the birth of Jesus.
Amazingly most of the passage below is a conglomeration of the exact texts from the gospels of the New International Version Bible. After reading them all I felt inspired to put down my own interpretation of an old story.
Also worth noting is that in the time of Jesus, a ‘virgin birth’ was commonly known as the birth of the first born child, not a child born of a virgin woman.
So here is another version of the Christmas story…
In the time of Ancient Rome more than two thousand years ago, a young woman meets and falls in love with a young carpenter. They are married in love and in both of their hearts is a goodness and light that is rare in these dark times.
One afternoon while Mary and Joseph are walking in the forest holding hands and discussing their family plans, God sends the Archangel Gabriel who appears to the loving couple.
“Greetings you who are highly favored! Do not be afraid as you have found favour with God. You will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God.”
“How will this be?” Mary and Joseph asked the Angel.
The Archangel Gabriel replied, “In your love The Spirit of God will come upon you so the holy one to be born can be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“We are The Lord’s servants” Mary answered. “May it be as you have said.”
Mary did indeed become pregnant with child and as they were traveling through a town called Bethlehem Mary went into labour. Joseph had not expected this and had not organized anywhere to stay.
It was census day in Bethlehem and there were no rooms available so Mary and Joseph had to make do with the local stables for accommodation and it was there that Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a baby boy who would be called The Chosen One.
They named him Jesus in accordance with the instructions from Archangel Gabriel, wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.
The Lord sent another angel to the shepherds in a nearby field who were keeping watch over their flocks at night. The glory of God shone around them and they were terrified.
The Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid as I bring news of great joy! Today in Bethlehem a child has been born who is for all of the people. He is the Anointed one. He will be called the Son of God and he will call us his brother.
He will show the world that the kingdom and presence of God is available to all! Go into Bethlehem and you will find a child wrapped in cloths in a manger and that will be proof that what I say is true.”
When the shepherds found Mary and baby Jesus in a manger in the stables just as the angel had said they spread the word praising God and all who heard it were astonished.
At the time that Jesus was born three wise sages observe a bright star appear in the east that was to foretell the coming of the new King. They followed the star to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph in the stable.
“Where is the one who has been born King? We have seen his star appear in the east and have come to worship him.”
When they saw Jesus they were overjoyed and they bowed down and worshiped him as the chosen one. They then laid gifts of gold and precious ointments at the feet of baby Jesus.
Now there was a man named Simeon who was waiting for the savior to be born. The spirit of God came to him and told him that he would live to see the Christ and he must go to the temple court.
When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to be presented to the court as was the custom, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God saying “Lord as you have promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation.”
Mary and Joseph marveled at what had been said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many …and be a sign that will be spoken against…and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
Mary held these messages deep in her heart and pondered the future of the small child she held who was to become King of all men and show the world that we all have equal access to God.
Merry Christmas…