Let’s enter another world for a moment. A world that is often far removed from our own. An age that is from long ago, yet still resonates with us today. A time and culture that is so often foreign to us yet impacts our lives now.
I want you to think about the world that Jesus entered, as a human child. I want you to consider the Jewishness of his earthly life, and the Jewishness of what preceded him and came after him. He came from a very non-western context, one might say. And yet we try to read the bible through the lens of our western mindsets. Then we wonder why we feel so removed from what God is really saying in his word.
Lately, I have been devouring books about the Jewishness of the bible and the life of Jesus. I have been learning so much that I did not know in my many years of reading the bible. Recently I came second in a writing competition with a piece based on the Christmas story. As I wrote this fictional piece, I imagined myself immersed in the context of the time. My research on the ancient Jewish culture enhanced what I had decided to write.
As you read my story, close your eyes and stand with Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus. Bring yourself to a place of closeness with our Lord, as you relive the Christmas story once again.
He Has Come
My heart is full. My precious one has finally come. I am in love. He is perfect. I touch his tiny fingers. I stroke his sleeping face. He has come.
I lift my eyes to the darkness of my surroundings—a cave belonging to a kind stranger. My lips move in silence.
“Thank you, Adonai.”
My eyes rest upon this little boy once again. Wrapped in white linen cloths, he squirms, then settles in my arms.
I am grateful we found more linen to use. It was already here, folded neatly and tucked away. Perhaps it was here for the newborn lambs. The lambs purposed for sacrifice.
And now I have swaddled my newborn son in these sacrificial cloths.
I hear Joseph preparing a bed for our child. I hear him praying to you, Adonai, while he moves about.
My beloved Joseph. We have been through so much. And in everything, he kept my honour. He cherished me with Your love.
And he loves Your son as his own.
I am so tired. Give me strength Adonai. To take care of my new family. To make sense of how this has all happened. And it happened here. I don’t even know where I am.
If he has come to save us, why here? Why has he entered our world here?
In the darkness, there is light. Light is seeping in, exposing the crudeness of the cave.
Where is that light coming from? It is night time Adonai. How can this light be?
My mind wanders in exhaustion. My body is sore. I wish to sleep and shut my eyes.
But I must stay awake for this treasured baby I am holding. I shift my position, grimacing with pain.
He opens his tiny eyes, searching for my face. They rest upon me, and for a moment I gaze back, adoration bursting within my soul. He has come.
Joseph takes him from my arms.
“Sleep, beloved. Get some rest. I will take care of him.”
I drift into a fitful sleep, knowing I am blessed. More blessed than I will ever know.
I awake to the sound of voices outside. I see unknown faces appearing at the mouth of the cave.
Startled, I squint my eyes. Who are they? Joseph is talking to them. I am thankful for his protection.
He invites them in to meet our son. I am filled with shock and surprise. The visitors are shepherds.
Our first visitors are shepherds. Shepherds? Don’t You know they are despised? Nobody wants to know them. They want nothing to do with them.
I sit up as Your word cuts deep into my heart. I know full well when I am wrong. Again.
Forgive me Adonai. For everyone is the same to You. They have come because You have called them. You sent them a messenger just as You sent me a messenger all those months ago.
Have I not realised one thing? You have come in the weak, the lowly, the helpless, the vulnerable.
He is here. He has come.
Fiona Murray has a passion for telling stories, both real and fictional, to engage the reader in the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. She has been a primary school teacher, teacher aide, personnel administrator for a mission organization and financial assistant for a community trust, all of which has grown her love for detail and creativity. Fiona is also undertaking further theology study to enhance her writing. She is married to Alan, and they live in Selwyn, Canterbury (NZ) with their children.