The Birth of the Nazarene
by Jeannette Cabraal
‘twas the night of nights. Cold – freezingly, bitterly, cold. The
star-spangled inky blue sky had an aura of unsurpassed peace and
tranquillity that permeated the atmosphere. But in Bethlehem there was
such a bustle, an unsurpassed bustle where everyone crowded in for
registration heeding the Royal Decree.

Pic - enius.com |
Joseph of Nazareth likewise came with Mary, the young virgin, who was
at the time carrying the Nazarene within her and very close to delivery,
having conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, chosen to be the
Mother of the predicted Messiah. She was precariously seated on a
donkey, and Joseph the guardian was looking around desperately for a
place of rest for the young mother-to-be.
Ultimately Joseph found a lowly stable, as they were turned away from
the over-crowded inns. There his mother gave birth to him-the Nazarene.
He, the long-awaited, prophesied, promised, Messiah. He lay there on a
bed of straw, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and curiously looked on by
lowing cattle and bleating lambs and in wonderment and adoration by his
mother and foster father.
A tail-star lit up the stable, having sailed across the sky
attracting shepherds tending their flocks down in the valley. The air
resounded with angelic strains “Glory to God in the highest and on earth
Peace to men of goodwill.” The shepherds came in fear and trembling, in
awe and respect in wonderment, to adore. Wise men came from afar.
“....o’er field and fountain
Moor and mountain
Following yonder star....”
They bore gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh symbolic of his
kingship, priesthood and death. They worshipped him and went their way.
This family from Nazareth, the young virgin mother, the foster father
and the Christ child occupied the stable-a contented holy family. But
they were disturbed.
Joseph had a dream. “Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt”
Joseph obeyed the summons and the protective foster father delivered the
baby Nazarene from the wrath of Herod. Then when the danger had passed
Joseph took the child and his mother to Nazareth where they settled down
- Joseph in his carpenter’s shop with Mary attending to her household
duties and the child Jesus playing around and helping his foster father
in any way he could until he was twelve and set about his father’s work;
the Nazarene who would be a preacher and a miracle-worker. And so the
Nazarene was born “A long time ago in Bethlehem as the Holy Bible says.” |