'And pondered these things in her heart'

Fast-forward six months. You and Joseph, still betrothed, are on your way to Joseph's hometown, Bethlehem. Caesar's decree that a census be taken has come at just the wrong time, you think. My baby could be born at any time!

During the long journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth, you have plenty of time to think back on all the past months has brought. After Joseph pledged that he would still marry you, the entire town shunned you both. Those who had once been close friends now avoided you and gossiped about you. The only ones who have remained faithful are Joseph, Anne and her husband, and your family. The Lord be praised for my family's understanding. Without them, I do not know what I would have done.

Suddenly, you gasp in pain. Joseph, leading you on the donkey, whirls around.
"Are you all right?" he asks worriedly. You nod, placing a hand on your bulging torso.
"It was just the baby kicking," you assure him. "I am fine."
Josephs nods. "We should stop anyway, just in case. It will be dark soon."

A few hours later, you lay beside a dying fire. Across from you is Joseph, fast asleep. Unable yourself to find sleep, you gaze at your betrothed.
Such a brave and kind man Joseph is. How could I have ever thought he was ruining my life?
Indeed, without him, I would not have as much faith in the angel's prophecy.

Your thoughts are interrupted by shooting pains in your abdomen. You sit up, gasping in pain.
Instantly, Joseph is on his feet.
"Is it time?" he asks. You nod, unable to even get words out.
 Rushing over to you, Joseph helps you to your feet. "We are only a few miles from Bethlehem," he says, bringing the donkey to you. He lifts you on, then hurriedly pulls the donkey on to the path toward Bethlehem.

The two miles to Bethlehem seem like an eternity for you. You make sure to keep breathing, as your mother instructed you. Finally, the pain is too great. You cry out, "Oh Joseph!"

Joseph urges the donkey in to a careful trot. The bouncing increases the pain, but you hold in a scream. I cannot make Joseph any more worried....
You jerk your head back. Oh God, please let us get there soon.

"Mary!" Joseph points ahead, and you see the houses of Bethlehem just ahead.
"We are almost there! Just hang on, Mary. I will find a place for you."
You bite your tongue and nod, concentrating on the houses ahead. If Joseph can just find an inn, then the baby can be born. Oh, he has to find an inn!

You enter Bethlehem. You cannot hold in the cries any longer. Tears pour down your face as the pains increase. Joseph looks at you, then runs to a house. Banging on the door, he cries, "Is there any room?"
A woman opens the door. "Sorry, all full."

Joseph runs back to you. Placing a hand on yours, he stares in to your tear-filled eyes. "Do not fear, Mary. I will find a place for you."
You clutch his hand, and he runs off to another building. "Is there any room?" he yells to the windows. "My wife is in great pain!"
A man opens an upper window. "Sorry, sir, but all the inns are full."
You take a deep breath. "Joseph, we do not have much time!"
Frustrated, Joseph yells, "Isn't there any place we can stay?"
The man points behind Joseph. "Across the way, there is a stable there. 'Tisn't much, but it is warm."

Without a word, Joseph runs back, lifts you off the donkey, and carries you to the stable. As he ducks your head to enter the cave, you notice a bright star shining in the sky. What a beautiful star, you think.

The next hour goes by in a flash. Joseph lays you down on a pat of straw covered by his cloak. Holding your hand, he keeps encouraging you as you push and scream.
"Keep going, Mary! You are almost there! Just one more, one more!"

With a final push, you fall back, exhausted. All is silent, save for one small, thin wail.
You open your eyes to see Joseph, cradling a small baby in his arms. He carefully wipes the baby with a cloth, then hands it to you. You see that, indeed, what the angel said as true. You, a virgin, have given birth to a son. And this son will be the greatest king; the Messiah Israel has been waiting for.

"Welcome, little Jesus," you whisper softly. "We have been waiting."

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring  you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds sad to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

-Luke 2:8-19

I'm so pleased at all the positive feedback I have gotten about this 'Mary' series! I was really inspired by the movie, The Nativity Story, which shows all the events leading up to Jesus' birth. It is such a great movie, which you all should see!!!

I had soooo much fun writing these little segments, all from Mary's point of view. It's amazing to think that the mother of Jesus could have been just a little older than me{or even my age}!

God gave Mary wonderful faith and patience, and I for one cannot wait to meet her in Heaven.


Merry Christmas, my dear followers!!!!!


Love always,
~Lily