The Birth of Jesus

by Rhonda Waters

There once was a young woman named Mary.  We don’t know much about her except that she was engaged to marry a man named Joseph and she lived in a town called Nazareth.  Then, one day, something extraordinary happened to Mary.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part One)

After she was pregnant, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also having a baby.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part Two)

When the baby was almost ready to be born, Mary and Joseph got some news.  Do you remember what they had to do? (Read Part Three)

Well, after that long, long walk – probably at least a whole week long – Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem.  But even when they finally arrived in Bethelehm, their problems weren’t over.  Do you remember what happened? (Read Part Four)

That’s right – in the barn!  But it was warm and quiet which was what Mary needed because she had very difficult, very important work to do.  This is that story:

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Mary:
I was so glad to be off my feet, even if all I had to sit on was a pile of hay.  Joseph got some blankets from the innkeeper and I was actually quite comfortable – but that didn’t last.  

Joseph:
It’s a good thing we found that helpful innkeeper when we did!  I barely had time to fetch the blankets when the pains hit Mary.  Her face went kind of white.  My face went kind of white.  I rushed back to the inn to see if one of the women there could come and help.

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

Joseph:
Things probably weren’t really that bad.  We were just tired.  And Mary kept insisting that the baby was on its way.  Her back hurt in a new way, apparently?  If it hadn’t been for that, we’d have been fine just squeezing into someone’s back room with the whole crowd.  But Mary needed more space.  And no one wanted to have front row seats at a stranger’s birthing bed.  So we kept looking.

Mary:
I had seen my mother give birth – and heard her, too.  So I knew it wasn’t easy.  But there’s knowing and then there’s knowing.  I was so grateful to the women who came to help, bringing water and towels and – most importantly, calm.  Of course, they had no idea that this birth was anything unusual.  But I knew.  I knew my baby was a miracle baby – even more than every other baby. I remembered the angel.  I thought of Elizabeth and her sweet little boy.  I gave thanks for Joseph and his faith in me, in us.

And then all the thinking stopped.  It felt like the whole universe was holding its breath; like my body was the only thing, the only place that mattered.  I remember the woman telling me to push.  And then, he was here.  My sweet, little Jesus.

Joseph:           
I stood outside under the stars and waited.  It felt like forever.  And then I heard him cry and the universe stood still – until the woman came to tell me I could go in to Mary…and to Jesus.

He was in Mary’s arms and they looked so beautiful, so perfect.  “He has your nose”, the woman said to me.  Mary and I looked at each other, across the head of our little miracle baby, and laughed.

Mary:
I wrapped my little boy up, nice and warm, and, once he fell asleep, laid him in the cows’ feeding trough.  Joseph had cleaned it all out and put fresh straw in it – it was a strange first bed but something about it seemed just right.

And then Joseph and I just sat there and stared at our little miracle baby.

Away in a Manger

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Meanwhile, on the hills outside Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their sheep – just like they did every night.  

They had no idea that this was a special night.  The sheep just kept on sleeping.  The shepherds just kept on watching and chatting with each other.

But then, all of a sudden, an angel appeared!  The shepherds let out a shout of surprise and the sheep all woke up!

Angel: Do not be afraid, said the angel.  

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

I have wonderful, happy news for you!  A very special baby has just been born in Bethlehem – this baby is the Messiah, the one God has sent to be the saviour of all.  He’s all wrapped up, nice and warm, and laying in a manger.

And before the shepherds could say anything, a whole crowd of angels appeared and they all started singing: “Glory to God in heaven and peace to all on earth!”

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

The shepherds decided to go see the baby so off they went to Bethlehem.

They found baby Jesus just as the angels had described.  Very quietly, so they wouldn’t wake the baby, the shepherds told Mary and Joseph all about the angels – and also, of course, about how perfectly adorable baby Jesus was.

And that is the end of the story of the birth of Jesus.  
I wonder which part is your favourite?
I wonder if you can remember the story so you can tell it to someone else.
In fact, I hope you share the good news with lots of people tonight, tomorrow, and every day after that!  

Jesus Christ is born!

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