Author’s Note: I wanted to write a short story for Christmas, and my Muse was inspired by of all things an tremor! Recently I’ve been wondering what were the thoughts of the man who came to be known as Jesus’ father at our Savior’s birth. This is what came of that. I hope you enjoy it.

Darcy’s Christmas Story(G)

Posted on Wednesday, 27 December 2006

Darcy and Elizabeth were settled together in bed, this their second Christmas together as a man and wife, and both remembered how traumatic the first several weeks of their marriage had been. Now all was as it should be. Kissing Elizabeth’s cheek and tightening his hold on her, his voice was no more than a soft whisper.

“As a child my mother told me a story of the Christmas Season that I had never before heard, even in the presence of the Fitzwilliam family.”

“Is it one she made up for her sweet son?” Elizabeth’s quiet voice matched his as she caressed tiny fingers.

“I know not, but that could be the case since I have yet to hear it repeated.”

“Tell me,” she urged, touching his cheek, her eyes eager as a child’s for a story.

“It begins with Joseph finally procuring lodgings for himself and his wife to rest for the night in a small village called Bethlehem. Though his wife was by then great with child, he was bound to travel there for tax purposes. They, along with a throng had swelled the population of the outlying area to the point that all the rooms at the inns had been taken. The only available space that cold night had been a stable amongst the innkeeper’s animals, which Joseph accepted for Mary’s sake. Making her as comfortable as possible, he wondered anew how she would manage if the babe was delivered that night without knowledgeable women of his village to aid her with a first birthing. Having helped his father once with a calving, the carpenter felt quite inadequate to the challenge that might soon befall him and his bride, and prayed silently that her time would not come until after they had traveled back to their own village.

Alas, his prayers had been answered, but not in the manner poor Joseph thought best. Within the dark of night, Mary’s pains began, heralding the birth, alerting the beasts who resided in the stable with them. The donkey rose from a prone position, the ox opened its eyes. The sheep began to bleat in sympathy with the woman lying on the straw. Two doves flew down from the rafters, startled by her cries to alight on the manger's edge. All Joseph could do was console Mary and talk to her in soft tones, amazed at the strength in her hand as she held his. He thought even the vise he used in his work was not as mighty as was the grip she held on his arm.

During one of her plaintive moans the ground seemed to rumble in reply, the air was charged with a strange glow, and thunder cracked to add its voice to the goings on in the tiny stable, rattling the boards that held up the building. Animals and humans alike were fearful of its imminent collapse if the rumbling continued. It was as if the world was ending as Heaven came to earth.

Then all was silent save for the tiny whimpering of a baby born.

Finally able to be of use, Joseph wiped the babe clean and wrapped him about in a swaddling fashion to keep him warm. The sheep in their grooming had pulled tuffs of loose wool from their coats, which Joseph lined the manger before nestling the babe in the straw to then tend to Mary. After several needed breaths, she nodded that she was well. Aiding her to rise, they both knelt beside the manger to stare with wonder at what she had accomplished. The ox and donkey drew near to have their breath warm the babe. The doves cooed softly as a lullaby to him. Cuddling him to her breast, Mary gave him what she could in the way of nourishment, caressing his tiny fingers, feeling them close around her larger one. Joseph closed his eyes, his head bowed in prayer.

Merciful and loving Father, give me a sign to know how I am to do Your will.

The babe, as though knowing the fears of this new father, opened His eyes that could not yet focus, and gazed out in such utter love that every living thing within that stable was mesmerized with wonder. The doves knew some of their kind would be purchased at the temple to be sacrificed when the child was presented there. The donkey knew his kin would ride a grown man into the city in triumph amid chants of Hosanna. The ox knew one of his calves would roll the large stone over the entrance of a newly hewn tomb after the man’s remains were placed within. The couple knew that Yahweh would provide for the Son who was destined to glory. Neither knew the exact plan of the Almighty, but they had faith in the Word of God now manifested before them. Every living thing in the stable that night knew their tasks for the future and willingly bound themselves to Him.

Due to the influx of people, it had taken Joseph several days to register, and the word was made known of the child. Shepherds came from nearby fields offering young lambs to the couple to help provide for the babe, and telling them that on the night of Jesus’ birth a great sight appeared in the heavens, how the sky was filled with wondrous men clad in white, singing to them of peace to men of goodwill. Both Mary and Joseph smiled at this, unaware that some of those same heavenly creatures hovered close by, ever watchful over their God now in so humble a form, yet His essence remained.

Before the couple left the area, visitors came from afar, guided by the star that hung over the little town, to see what their predictions had foretold. Joseph was astounded when they offered their gifts. Gold for a king he thought appropriate, but the other two, which were symbols of how the child’s life would unfold was disconcerting. Mary already felt the pangs of loss even while she held her tiny baby. She sensed what lay ahead for Him, and accepted that too. Both she and her husband would teach Him the proper ways of their life in the small hamlet of Nazareth, watching His kind nature unfold in wonder at the physical world about Him while His guardian angels kept their vigil beside Him through His life until they were required. Mary smiled, her tears bitter-sweet, as she acknowledged, “My Lord and my God!”

Tears pricked Elizabeth’s eyes as she held her own tiny son to her breast. “She knew? Mary knew such a terrible tragedy would befall her son?”

“Yes, she had faith that God’s plan would be fulfilled, so she and Joseph would play their part in bringing it to fruition with their loving care of the Son.”

“They were very brave.”

Darcy smiled as he watched his tiny son sleeping between them. “Yes, I am filled with trepidation to know I am responsible for this tiny life you hold. I can only imagine what were Joseph’s thoughts at having to raise the Son of God.”

“God provided all that was necessary for him to know what to do. We need only have faith, and He will provide for us as well.”

“Yes,” Darcy sighed, closing his eyes and settling into a pleasant slumber. “All we need is faith.”*

*Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The End

Merry Christmas to you all.