Advent day 15: Delivered

^{Luke 2:5-7}

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Mary and Joseph settled into their stable-like accommodations. It wasn't a room, it wasn't comfortable, but it was free. Joseph liked free. He and Mary looked around and saw the few lambs that were designated pure and blameless to be sacrificed when time came.

This is no place for the Son of God, Mary thought. The pains had gotten worse coming into Bethlehem, and she feared she may give birth while she was there. She wasn't sure how it was all supposed to feel, and Joseph knew less than her. They had no midwife. They knew from the beginning they would be at this alone. Mary just thought it would be in better likes than a stable.

Joseph looked at Mary and saw a look of panic and pain in her face. Her bulging eyes looked at him and he knew what she was going to say, but it surprised him anyway: "He's coming."

They went from looking for a place to sleep for the night to figuring out how to give birth in a alleyway stable. Joseph cleared out a manger as a bed for the child. Mary was screaming. He had never seen her in this much pain. He had never seen this much blood.

Mary didn't expect this much pain. She knew it would hurt, all the women had told her that -- but this was much more than hurt. She pushed, and breathed, and again and again. Finally she felt something come out of her, and saw Joseph give her the approval that indeed the baby was crowning. Joseph held her now very sweaty, very shaky hands and told her it was almost over.

And then it was.

The baby boy was bloody, and tiny. And screaming. Mary felt as though she may pass out, but the sight of Joseph holding their newborn son kept her more than awake. It was a beautiful sight. Joseph took his coat and wiped the baby clean and brought him over to Mary. Mary took him, and knew she'd never forget this moment. The pain was well worth this.

Joseph let Mary have a moment with the baby, and walked outside the stable. The streets were empty, and the sounds of drunkard patrons could be heard from inside the inn. He looked up at the sky and became entranced at the stars. He noticed one in particular. It was brighter than any star he'd ever seen, and he didn't remember seeing it the night before. It also seemed closer, like it was hovering over him and Mary. Strange, but comforting. Maybe it was God wanting a good view at His Son's birth. Maybe it was God reminding Joseph that He was there; watching, guiding.

Joseph went back inside and saw Mary sleeping and their new Son in the manger,His eyes pondering this new world. Joseph laid beside his wife, took her hand, and went to sleep.

Hey God,

Thank You for sending Your son in this way. What a humble entrance for such an amazing God. It must have been hard to wrap Yourself in the cloth of such sin as ourselves and know that You would be killed for that choice. I'm humbled that You had a choice, and You didn't call it off. Thank You, Jesus.

Amen.