After a long and exhausting week of travel on the dusty roads between Nazareth and Bethlehem, the very last thing Mary expected was to be turned away from the only place of lodging on the edge of Bethlehem. Joseph had tried repeatedly to find a quiet place for them to spend the night, but to no avail. A strange new pain slowly overtook Mary…soon coming more quickly and sharper than before – each time taking her breath away. Her time was nearing, her anxiety increasing, and all she wanted was to be away from the crowds and all the noise. Joseph had only to look at Mary’s face and hear her moan softly to realize he needed to do something – fast. Back behind the inn was a cave where the livestock were kept, and in the back was an empty stall full of clean hay. He settled Mary in as comfortably as he could…and then waited. The miracle of birth was taking its definitive course, and to both their amazement, things moved quickly and smoothly…and soon the lusty squall of a newborn taking its first breaths could be heard filling the night air. The cattle slowly turned their heads towards the noise, all the while chewing their cuds…the sheep softly bleated in response to the tiny cries as they pushed nearer in curiosity. The image of the invisible God lay nestled in Mary’s arms…Jesus was born.
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