Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Christmas (04/25/05)
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TITLE: First Christmas Remembered | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amy Prince
04/29/05 -
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As a young girl, she remembered the look of excitement and hope on her mother’s face when Papa told the news of the betrothal to a good man named Joseph, a hard working carpenter, a simple man. She skipped off after hearing the news, back to her game of hide and seek around the juniper trees with her friends, knowing with a quite comfort that her parents were pleased with her. She remembered the peace in her heart knowing God was pleased with her, as well.
The sunbeam that warmed her now was reminiscent of one that filled the room so many years ago when the angel appeared, she remembered as if it was yesterday. With fear she hid her eyes from the angel of the Lord, but as he spoke she knew that the Lord looked upon her with favor. The news was extraordinary for a young girl to understand, but with a simple trust, she believed.
Oh, the love she had for Joseph. He protected her, accepted her. He never condemned her, though others did. With all of her aches and pains from her growing belly and the time of the birth near, he told her that it would be okay, and he dreamed of holding the baby that was inside of her womb. They both dreamed of the family they would have, and the king? They didn’t understand, but they knew God was able.
Mary remembered the hot day when the labor pains began. They were traveling, and the sand was so hot that blisters formed on their feet. She remembers Joseph lifting her so tenderly onto the camel to ride, and she clung to the camel hair underneath the blanket her mother made. She missed her mom, and the scenery was different being so far from home, but Joseph promised they were close to their destination. The radiant desert beams shined down on Mary, and she was fearful of what lied ahead but she had a peace that surpassed all understanding.
The manger was the perfect place for the birth of the child. Joseph had a way of making the best out of any situation. He said the inn was full, however, he had made a spot with the blankets in the hay. He held her hand and helped her into where the animals were. The time had come, evening had settled in and Mary remembers the shaft of light from a bright star that shone so brilliantly through the window right on her, illuminating the spot where she was just in time for Joseph to see the babies head appear. She remembered how they cried and Joseph held the baby up to the heavens and said, “We will call him Jesus”, and Mary remembers that even the animals seemed to bow as the baby cried for the first time.
Mary looked up and did not notice the blood collecting on her robe from the scrapes the rocks had caused; in her grief she felt no pain. Looking up at the outline of three crosses, tears fell when she saw the silhouette of Jesus in the middle, lifeless with the crown of thorns on his head. Mary felt a peace in her heart as she slowly recalled it was her son, but truly God’s son. She did not understand but with quiet reconciliation she knew it would be all right.
Suddenly the ray of sunlight lit up her face so intensely and she remembered part of the song she sang so long ago, “…for the Mighty One has done great things for me-“ Looking at the bleeding face of Jesus it was as if God spoke to her heart - “the Mighty One has done a great thing for all of mankind.”
Mary rose to her feet and the soft breeze began blowing again.
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