The Dedication

Mary and Joseph rose early. The manger birth was a fading memory. The small family had moved into their own house in Bethlehem. It was time to bring a sin offering and a burnt offering to the house of worship.

With Bethlehem so near Jerusalem, they decided to go to the temple to make these offerings for Mary’s purification. Jesus was already active. Mary long ago had given up on the swaddling clothes that held him so tight.  He wiggled out of those and enjoyed free hands and feet. Already he was cooing and laughing and even crying when he was hungry or uncomfortable.

Joseph loaded the donkey with food and extra clothing for the baby. Last of all he tied on a small crate that held two pigeons. These small birds would be the sacrifice for Mary’s cleansing. The burnt offering called for a year old lamb without spot or blemish, but Joseph and Mary were too poor to own a lamb so one of the pigeons would be offered as a burnt offering.

With Baby Jesus wrapped warmly to shut out the damp morning air, Mary and Joseph sat out for the temple in Jerusalem. The journey was pleasant. Along the way, they encountered merchants with fruits and vegetables; fabrics and perfumes, hurrying on their way to set up in the streets of Jerusalem. Some even led bleating lambs taken from their mother to be sold in the temple. Seeing the doves swinging from the donkey’s saddle, most merchants perceived their lowly position and left the young family alone.

The streets of Jerusalem were busy. Merchants were chanting their sales pitch, peddling their wares in whatever vacant space they could find. Resident merchants swept the entry to their shops, squinting in the sunlight at the lowly couple entering the city on a donkey. Children ran past them kicking up dust, dislodging stones and chasing pets. Oxen pulled wagons and carts past them, pushing them to the side of the stony streets of the city. Mounted Roman soldiers often crossed their path or trotted mercilessly close to them leaving a cloud of dust and the foul smell of horses.

The temple mount was in view. The noon sun washed the temple buildings in silvery white. Joseph tied the donkey to a tree and gave him a handful of straw and water. Then taking the cage of doves from the donkey’s saddle; he, Mary, and Jesus climbed the steps leading to the Temple. Once at the top of the temple mount, the noise, and smell of the city faded away. A warm breeze swept across the plaza and on it rode the mingled smell of burning wood and flesh interjected with an occasional fragrance of incense. Somehow this strange combination of odors brought a feeling of peace and reconciliation. This was the fragrance of repentance, sacrifice and forgiveness.

The Temple mount was a bustling place. Money changers sat in their booths, shouting out the latest exchange on currency. The plaza was filled with the noise of bleating goats and sheep and the mooing of cattle. Dirty shepherds and herdsmen led their animals around by bits and rough ropes, thoughtlessly belching out prices for their animals. Families with goats, lambs and doves slowly made their way to the high priest. A child in tears clung to a favored lamb brought for sacrifice.

Joseph and his cage of small birds fell in line with those showing their offering to the high priest. Mary held Jesus tightly in the vast unfamiliar place. Priests and servants passed with hardly a glance. Individuals and families engulfed her and then pushed by with their gifts and offerings to the priest; some humble and small, others with the finest animals Mary had ever seen.

Mary and Joseph hardly noticed him until they were face to face with the old man. His long white hair and beard hung in tangled knots and his clothing was worn but clean. His sandaled feet were dusty, knobby and swollen with age. But there was light in his eyes.  He reached for Mary’s child and without thinking she laid him in the folds of his ragged robe.

Then he spoke, praising God and saying, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

You see, it had been revealed to the old man, Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Christ.

Then Simeon blessed the couple and said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And, a sword will pierce your own soul as well.”

He gently laid the baby back in Mary’s arms and turning, his stooped body disappeared into the crowd. And in his shadow stood a woman, Anna. Her body was warped with age but a joyful mind and spirit was evident  as she gazed upon the baby Jesus. She blessed them and then quietly slipped back to the comfort and shelter of the temple chambers.

 Mary with Joseph offered the doves for her cleansing and as a sacrifice for their sin. Mary shivered even though the noon sun was warm on her shoulders. With their duty done toward God, the young couple made their way with the small baby back to Bethlehem. But Mary was silent. Her heart was troubled by the words of those who had briefly crossed her path. Many anxious thoughts troubled her spirit.

Shepherds

                A cool breeze skipped through the valley bringing a chill to Michael. He pulled his robe across his chest and turned his back to its breath. It was his watch. The other shepherds slept near the dying fire. He placed a few dead twigs on the fire. Why did he feel so uneasy tonight? The air itself seemed charged with excitement. The moonlight swept across the landscape making deep shadows under the scrubby trees and bushes, but danced like silvery butterflies on the backs of the quiet, resting sheep.

                “Ah, it will be a good night.” Michael consoled himself.  “There is no sign of a storm nor threat of wild animals. I will rest.”

                Michael chose the spotted shade of an old craggy olive tree, positioned himself so that he could see the sleeping sheep, then slid down its scrubby trunk giving his back a good rub. A restless shepherd stirred in his sleep, turned his backside to the fire, and continued his snoring. With a few grunts and whimpers the sheep changed positions then settled into a restful heap.

                Michael drew his knees to his chin, wrapped his robe around his legs and set his eyes on the moonlit sky. The moon was so bright that the stars shrank into nothingness against the night sky. One lone star struggled against its brightness. Michael gazed with interest at the star. It seemed to twinkle, disappear, and then reappear more brightly. Michael in his boredom found himself cheering the lone star on. Then to his amazement, the star burst into a brightness that dimmed the moon’s glow. Its light spread across the heavens then with a powerful beam swept the earth. Frantically, Michael leaped to his feet, tangling his hair in the snarled, mocking branches of the olive tree. The star seemed to rest over the city of Bethlehem.

                “Look,” he cried out, not realizing he was the only witness to this marvelous event.

                The sleeping shepherds leaped to their feet but immediately fell on their faces. They did not have time to wonder over the new star in the sky, for before them was the most magnificent creature they had ever seen.

                What could this be, but an angel? His robes were shimmering white, as white as the snow on a sunny morning. His appearance demanded respect and attention.

                Then the angel spoke, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, Christ the Lord. And this is how you will know what I say is true. You will find the new born baby in a stable with his mother. He will be wrapped tightly in newborn’s clothes, lying in a manger.”

                Suddenly the sky was filled with angels and the air stirred with the most beautiful music ever heard as angels sang,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will to men.”

                As the shepherds stood watching, the angels faded into heavens. Michael turned to the other shepherds and said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this wonder that has come to pass.” The shepherds immediately left the sheep alone in the wilderness, and hurried into Bethlehem to find the baby.

                A new born lamb followed Michael as he hurried past the sleeping sheep. He reached down and gathered the lamb in his arms and hurried on with the other shepherds. They ducked into stables along the way, disturbing a shepherd or herdsman now and then but no baby. Then cutting through the alley ways between the stone buildings, they saw a light in a stable beneath the inn. There they saw Mary, Joseph, and the new born baby. He was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes lying in the manger, just as the angel said. There they worshiped him.

 They then returned to their sheep, rejoicing. Morning was breaking, folks were up and preparing for a new day. A new day had indeed dawned for the whole world.  The shepherds shouted the good news along the way, “The savior, the Messiah, is born and is lying in a manger in Bethlehem!” Some believed, and hurried to worship him, others shook their heads in consternation.  

Bethlehem Experience

Joseph and Mary were happy in their humble home. Joseph furnished it with pieces of furniture he had made himself. Weeks and months passed and Mary could tell that her baby would be coming soon. She went about her daily chores looking forward to the day she would hold her baby in her arms.

                The happy voices of children playing in the dusty streets of Nazareth suddenly turned to cries and screams. Dust blew into the doorway as children scattered from their games and hurried home. The sound of horses’ feet were heard. Mary looked out the doorway, then drew back quickly. A Roman officer was coming down the street, followed by a half dozen mounted soldiers, swords clanking and spears glistening in the noon sun. The heavy hoofs of the horses pounded out puffs of dust where children had been playing.

                The Roman officer leaned from his horse and looked into the frightened eyes of Mary. She noticed a roll of parchment in his hand and a stern defiant smile on his face.

                “Official business.” she whispered to herself.

                The soldier gingerly directed his horse down the narrow street to the door of the synagogue, leaned down and handed the parchment to the rabbi. Then he and his companions turned their horses and trotted out of town without a word.

The town folks hurried to the synagogue to listen as the rabbi read the decree from Caesar Augustus. It seems that all the world was to be taxed, and each person must be taxed in the city of his ancestors. Bethlehem, the city of the great King David was the ancestral home of Joseph and Mary.

On the appointed day, Mary and Joseph loaded supplies on their donkey to begin the long, difficult trip to Bethlehem. Mary tucked in swaddling clothes because the baby was sure to come before they could return to Nazareth. Hanging from the donkey’s saddle, among other supplies, was a bird cage holding two doves to be sacrificed for Mary’s cleansing after birth.

                The road was soon crowded with friends and family as each made their way to their own city. Evenings were pleasant as families and friends gathered around camp fires and shared stories and talked of the promises of God, especially the promise of a deliver. With the oppression of the Roman government, the thoughts of a savior was on everyone’s mind. Mary’s heart leaped with joy for though few believed her, she knew she carried the promised Messiah.

                “This has to be the last day of travel” thought Joseph. Many friends had already left the caravan, turning toward their own cities of birth. Joseph and Mary’s relatives hurried ahead to the small city of Bethlehem. Night came and they were alone, time to rest. But, Joseph could see the faint silhouette of Bethlehem against the evening sky. They would go on.

                As Joseph and Mary neared the city, they could see a warm glow in the sky above Bethlehem. The small town was bustling. Bethlehem was the hometown of many people. The town glowed with candles and torches marking windows and doorways. Campfires dotted the hillsides. Joseph and Mary made their way to a relative’s inn on the edge of the city.

                Joseph approached the inn keeper, hoping to find a room there. The inn keeper glanced at Mary a few times. By now she was extremely tired and could feel the beginning pains of child birth. The face of the inn keeper was kind, but he shook his head “No” as Joseph pleaded with him.

                At last, seeing Mary’s desperation, the inn keeper began to speak intently to Joseph. Mary slumped against a nearby tree still clinging to a very tired but gentle donkey.

                “Come,” said the inn keeper as he took the donkey’s bridle and led Joseph, Mary, and the donkey to the stable in back of the inn.

                The stable was a small space tucked under the back rooms of the inn. Its crude but sturdy walls and roof supported the back of the humble dwelling. It was just tall enough for the animals. Men had to bow to enter.

                “Here” said the inn keeper, handing Joseph a pitchfork, “Toss this old straw out. I’ll throw down fresh straw from the loft. Then clean out the manger.  That will be perfect for the baby.”

                “Now, you take care of Mary,” he added, “I’ll get the neighborhood midwife.”

                Doves cooed from the rafters. The animals shifted slightly as Joseph’s donkey joined them on the other side of the stable. Their warm bodies and breath warmed the small stable.

Joseph spread clean blankets on the straw and in the manger. He eased Mary onto the fresh smelling straw and that night in the soft light of lamps in the rafters, Mary’s baby was born.  

                “We will call him Jesus” she whispered.

                They laid Jesus in the manger. Mary slept but Joseph kept watch over the sleeping child. What peace, joy, and comfort radiated from that manger bed. The Savior, at last, had come.

Joseph

     Joseph could not make himself work. There were orders for furniture, yolks, and plows; enough work to keep him busy for days. But, he was too sad to work. The hammer lay heavy in his hand. How could things go so terribly wrong?  His heart was broken.

     He had labored many days with a happy heart knowing Mary would soon be his wife. But now things had changed. He wanted to throw the perfectly crafted chair across the room. He never dreamed that sweet little Mary would be unfaithful to him. Mary had tried to tell him that circumstances had changed. She was pregnant, but still remained a virgin. How could that be? Besides being unfaithful to him, she was giving unreasonable explanations. Now, she had set out over the Judean mountains to visit a cousin who was having a baby. Joseph had never felt so betrayed.

     Mary was going to have a baby, but not his baby. The wedding was off. He would be shamed by the whole neighborhood.

     He knew the penalty for her infidelity. Since they were engaged to be married, he could have her stoned to death or at the least publicly divorced. He could not bring himself to do either. He thought perhaps he would divorce her privately. That would not ease the pain in his heart, but perhaps it would not bring as much shame on Mary.

     Joseph slumped onto a stool in the carpenter’s shop, his head in his hands, his life completely destroyed. His weary body fell across the carpenter’s bench and he fell into a fitful sleep thinking of the decisions he had to make concerning Mary. Dreaming of problems he couldn’t solve and promises he couldn’t keep.

     Suddenly, before him stood a gorgeous being, an angel, with an important message for him. “Do not hesitate to take Mary for your wife. She has not been unfaithful to you. The baby growing inside her is the Son of God. Take Mary into your own home and when the baby boy is born, name him Jesus, for he shall save His people from their sins.”

     Then Joseph awoke from his sleep to do what the angel told him. Without delay, the wedding was arranged and Joseph eagerly awaited Mary’s return from over the Galilean hills. They were married and Joseph took Mary into his own home.  

     There was much whispering and gossip about their marriage, but Mary and Joseph were happy knowing they were doing God’s will.

Mary

     Mary wiped the last bowl clean, carefully slipped it on the top shelf, gathered her skirts on one arm and hurried out the door and through the courtyard into the dusty streets of Nazareth. A welcome breeze caught her veil and whipped it over her eyes. Her free hand grasped , then loosed it exposing a beautiful and innocent face to the gentle Galilean breezes. She was now on the outskirts of town, her bare feet skipping from stone to stone up the gentle slope over looking the sleepy town of Nazareth.

     A shepherd boy approached followed by a dozen sheep. Mary quickly pulled the dark veil across her face and lowered her eyes as he passed.

     Mary reached the top of the hill and settled down on the cool grass under her favorite tree. All too soon she would be needed at home to help prepare the evening meal. She closed her eyes and thought of the day that she would have her own home. Even now Joseph was gathering the longest and straightest logs to support the roof of their home.

     With thoughts of Joseph, Mary jumped up preparing to return to the village a few minutes early to stop by the carpenter shop. Turning abruptly, Mary found herself face to face with a stranger. She fell to her face for this was not an ordinary person but had the countenance of an angel. Terrified, she waited on her face for him to speak. His touch sent an awesome feeling through her whole body as he lifted her to her feet.

      “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” The angel said.

     At first Mary protested in disbelief.

     But the angel stayed and talked of the greatness of this child. “You will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

     “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I know no man?”

     The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

     At last in humility and tears Mary said, “I am my Lord’s handmaid. Whatever He wants of me, I will do.” And just as suddenly, the angel left her.

     The sun was slipping behind the mountains in the west as Mary made her way back to Nazareth. She could hear her mother’s voice as she hurried through the quiet streets. Breathless, Mary opened her mouth to explain, but stopped short. “How was she going to explain this?”

     “Remember the words of the prophet saying that a savior would be born of a virgin?” she began.

     “That was so long ago.” Said her mother. “We can hardly hope for such today. All these many years and things remain the same. Who knows but what he has already come.”

     “But,”

     “We will talk of this later. Now we must hurry. The laborers are returning from the fields.” Replied her mother, handing Mary the ladle as she turned to check the bread. 

     “This was going to be harder to explain than she thought.” Mary mused. “The angel had also said that her cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting a child. Perhaps she would go visit her. There would be plenty of time to tell her family and Joseph.”