The Story part 7 Stars, Sheep and a Cave
Down to Bethlehem, just half a day back on the donkey. Not far. The small group from Nazareth left the traders, and the camels, in Jerusalem. Apparently they were joining a large number of travellers already in Bethlehem for the census. The chatter on the way down centered mostly on who they would see, whose faces they’d recognise and other much lighter conversations. Tikva walked alongside Mary. who was being very quiet.
“Have they started?”
“During the night, stops and starts”
“Let me know when you waters come. I’ve put cloths in that bag in case it happen out here”
“Thank you Tikva”
“Tomorrow your child will be in your arms” she smiled
Mary bent down and whispered “It’a a boy, his names’ Jesus”
Tikva stopped in her tracks. She’d known for a long time that one day she would be present at a significant birth, and here it was. Quietly she prayed “You have been true to your word Yhwh and you satisfy the soul of your servant. I praise you, you are righteous and mighty Lord God of Israel”
At their last stop before reaching the town, Joseph told them that he and Avram, Tikvas husband, were going ahead to secure lodgings as there were so many people in Bethlehem. They would all meet at the well next to the market. Two hours later they found the market, sat by the well and waited. And waited. Eventually the men came.
“There isn’t anywhere that has a bed, but the Innkeepers wife has let us share the cave where they keep their animals. She gave us fresh straw and and clean buckets. We’ve cleaned out good space that we made private for you. And a place for Tikva and Avram. It’s the best we could do, there are so many people here. It’s a little out of the way but it’s quiet and looks down over pasture land”.
“You are good men, the baby is on the way” Tikvah laughed at Josephs face. “It’s going to be all right, listen to Avram he’s done this many times!”
The sun set and the stars appeared, stunning colours filled the night sky. A group of particularly bright stars appeared over a small rocky outcrop and didn’t move. “That’s strange” the old shepherd said to his son “Have you seen that before?” The young man hadn’t and they walked over to the fire to ask the others what they thought about it. Out of nowhere came a hum that grew louder and louder. An angel appeared and they were enveloped in the presence of God.
“Don’t be afraid I have extraordinary news that will bring great joy to everyone. Today the Messiah has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David, the Saviour, the Lord is here. You’ll find him wrapped snugly in cloths and lying on straw in a feeding box.” The night sky shimmered as thousands of angels unfolded their wings as they sang “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all those with whom he is pleased”. The shepherds stood transfixed and the angels lifted their voices in praise again and again.
When the angels left the men decided to go over to Bethlehem and find the child that Gods told them about. They found the cave under the stars, walking shyly in they found Mary, Joseph and the baby boy, Jesus, just as they angel said. Over whelmed by the presence of God they returned to their sheep telling everyone they saw what had happened and singing their own praises to YHWH.
And so we have it. The fact is true, Jesus was born in Bethlehem with animals and straw, slept in a feeding box and was visited by simple shepherds. The Story surrounding this truth is a simple narrative, the details intended to personalise the story for the reader. Jesus being born is the reason we celebrate Christmas all over the earth. The Messiah, the Saviour was sung about, by angels, for the shepherds, and now by us. This story has an extraordinary conclusion, but never ends. We invite you to celebrate the true reason for Christmas with us. We pray it will be one where you encounter the reason for The Story yourself.
