| A
very long time ago before there were computers, trains, knights in shining
armor and castles in Spain there existed a time that there wasn't even
a Christmas. Almost two thousand years has passed and still we remember
and celebrate that first Christmas, the most important one in all these
years.
There was a happily married couple. Mary and Joseph were their names. Joseph was a hard working carpenter and Mary was as beautiful as she was nice. They had to make a long journey across a hot and windy desert to a town named Bethlehem. |
| Resting
for a moment, Joseph told Mary, "It won't be long before we reach
Bethlehem. Look just right of that hill we can see the lights of the city."
Unable to reply, Mary just nodded her head. She was especially tired since she was pregnant and she was in pain . All she really wanted was a nice place to rest. She smiled gently at Joseph. His face was filled with love and concern for her. And they continued their journey toward the light. Evening had turned to night before they had reached the town. Hearing her soft moans, Joseph asked Mary if she felt ill. "Soon. Very soon our child will be born," whispered Mary. |
| They
were unaware that every room of every inn in this town was filled with
people. They searched desperately for a room. They went from one inn to
another. But they always received the same answer that there was no more
vacate rooms. One stranger told them they might find a place in a little
inn a bit further down a dusty lane.
"One simple room is all I'm asking," implored Joseph to inn owner, "Please, tell me if you know of any vacate room in this town? We will take any room you have. Look at my wife. She will be delivering our child very soon." |
| Ramgean
the inn owner looked at the exhausted couple. His inn had been filled with
people for several days. There was even people sleeping in the hallways,
the kitchen and even the stairs. He thought, "I must think of a place
for this unfortunate couple."
"Yes. I have a room for you. I'm afraid you will be very disappointed," the inn owner said apologetically to Joseph, "It's a little manger I have on top of a little hill. I will send my sons at once to clean the place up. Please believe me when I say that I would have readily offered my bedroom but I can't since all my fourteen children and my two brothers and their children are already sharing my room." One hour later the sons returned. They had cleaned the manger and laid many blankets and pillows on top of the fresh straw. After giving many thanks Mary and Joseph slowly climbed the hill. |
| Fortunately,
the place was much better than they had imagined. There were even a bull,
a donkey and many birds to keep them company. Joseph helped Mary. He looked
around and found some spare wood and build a small fire. He also found
an empty wooden crate and with his skill as a carpenter rapidly made a
small beautiful crib.
Christ was born in the early hours of the night. Before the first cry of the sweet baby Jesus was heard something miraculous happened, a star exploded in golden light. And all its rays were sent to that little manger on top of that small hill. Making that building glow in golden hues. That little manger looked more beautiful than the greatest palace that was ever built. |
| Hearing
the soft cries of the baby Jesus and seeing that star, an angel descended
from Heaven. His wings were whiter than the whitest snow, his hair was
gold and his eyes were like bright sapphire. He entered the manger and
knelt before Mary and her child. He smiled at them. He said, "Fear
not, Mother of the newborn son of God, I'm here to protect your child."
"Rejoice," said the angel and he opened his wings and he began to fly. "It's time to be happy. Come all ye faithful. Christ, the savior, is born," shouted the angel while flying across the town and the surrounding meadows. |
| Shepherds and people from the town saw the star and heard the angel. Many came that night to look and pray. And many more came the following days. They came with food, new blankets, fresh straw and cute little toys for the baby. |
| Three
wise men from a distance land saw the large golden star in their sky. Caspar,
Melchior and Balthazar were their names. They knew in their heart that
it was the signal for a miraculous event. They left their palaces and traveled
many long days before they finally reached that special manger on top of
that little hill.
Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar brought wonderful gifts for the newborn king. They gave a chest brimming with gold coins, an urn overflowing with wonderful spices and some jars filled with rare and expensive incenses. These gifts meant very little to the baby Jesus. He cared only about their soft-spoken words about love. |
| After
a month Mary, Joseph and their special son returned to their home. They
never forgot that special night. The night, their son was born. They didn't
truly realize, while watching him play, that after almost two thousand
years we will be celebrating that day.
Sleigh bells, Christmas lights, Christmas trees with silver tinsel and Santa and his gifts are all wondrous things. But we mustn't forget the true story of the first Christmas. So, take a minute on Christmas day and look up at the sky and say with love, "Happy Birthday, Jesus." |