That First Christmas

Joseph and Mary knew full well who they were expecting that first Christmas, the Son of God come to earth in human form.

Mary lets us in to her thoughts and feelings about this impending mystery birth, and about her love for her husband Joesph.

Read her own words from Locutions.org.  Let her take you back to that wonderful moment in time, when she and Joseph welcomed the baby Jesus into the world.

March 29, 2012 

298.The First Christmas 

Mary 

We were ready and filled with expectancy.  The Savior of the world was to be born, known only to Joseph and me.  Then came the startling news about the census of Caesar Augustus and the need to go to Bethlehem.  We had gotten used to our plans being changed by God’s will. 

We prepared and left.  All of the villagers understood our dilemma.  We were pilgrims, going to a strange city at the most inopportune moment.  Still, we rejoiced like so many others had rejoiced because the time of birth drew near. 

Poor People’s Journey 

My breasts were full, ready to feed the newborn child.  We brought all that he would need.  Our journey was a poor person’s journey, on a donkey.  During these days, our love grew.  In my many needs, I loved Joseph even more.  Nothing was too much for him.  I said very little.  He provided everything ahead of time, always thoughtful.Bethlehem was not ready for us.  There was no room where travelers are accustomed to stay.  So, the birth took place in a stable, the best known stable in the whole world.  I was identified with the poor and took my place among those who are rejected and are set aside as of little importance.  There, I would always stay, offering to the poor the milk of my comfort. 

The Virgin Birth 

My eyes saw the human face of God.  The birth was miraculous, a virgin birth without any of the pains and sufferings, the way birth was meant to be “in the beginning”; the way Eve was meant to give birth before she transgressed and lost her gifts.  I saw life as it was meant to be, a woman rejoicing in her newborn child without suffering the pangs of childbirth.  My pangs would come at Calvary where I brought forth all my other children.  For now, that scene seemed so far away.  That would be the end.  This was the beginning. 

God in our Midst 

The birth was miraculous but everything else was quite ordinary, but how could anything from now on be ordinary?  Yet, I must say again, everything was just like it would be if the child were not God.  We had to provide for him.  We had to protect him.  We had all the duties of new parents.  Yet, he was in our midst.  With him in our midst, nothing could be just ordinary. 

Comment:  The birth was extraordinary but God did not change all the other circumstances.

What an extraordinary moment in time, yet so ordinary.  This baby in the manger, though God in reality was a baby, needing the love and care that every baby needs.