His Beginning- Part 1

 Merry Christmas!  This is an excerpt from the book I’ve been writing.  It is called Woven.  This is one of my favorite parts of the book – the story of Jesus’ birth.  I hope you enjoy.  I’ll post the rest of the story in a day or two.

 His muscles ached from walking.  Frustration wasn’t evident on his face, but making such a long trip was not what he had in mind.  His young bride-to-be accompanied him. She never complained, but he wondered what went through her mind.  What did her silence mean?  Was she mad that he didn’t believe her at first?  His thoughts went back to that unbelievable night.  He had been hurt, not understanding how someone he cared about could have betrayed him that way.  He cherished her. His thoughts were on her when an angelic being appeared before him.  Shock stole across his face. He could still hear that voice.  The words played over and over in his head.

           

            “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a  son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus, because he will save his people  from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 NIV       

It was still so unbelievable.  His Mary was carrying the long awaited Messiah?  She tensed atop his small mule but only for a second.  She had been still for so long.  He knew she was feeling the pains of labor.  She made no sound, so he continued on.  They needed to get a little further before nightfall.  Bethlehem was close.  He wondered if they could get registered and return before her day came for the baby.  The day was close at hand, but how close, he couldn’t be sure.  His thoughts returned again to that voice.  “…give him the name of Jesus.”   

 

            “…give him the name Jesus.”  It echoed in her head.  Mary couldn’t believe that the angel had actually appeared to her.  She wasn’t scared about being the mother of the Messiah.  She knew the Lord was with her.  The angel had told her so.  What she still couldn’t understand were those first words.   

            “Greetings, you who are highly favored…”  Luke 1:28 NIV

How could it be that she was highly favored with God?  She wasn’t special.  Her family didn’t have lots of money, and that wouldn’t change when she married Joseph.  He worked hard as a carpenter and would be a good provider, but he was not rich.  Shouldn’t the Son of God be born into royalty?  As if an answer to her question, a slow tightening on the bottom of her rounded belly began on her sides and crept stealthily towards her middle.  The tightening turned to pressure, and she adjusted in her seat trying to alleviate the discomfort.  Just as steady as it came, it went.  She sighed and let her shoulders fall forward.  She blinked as she focused on a rock in the distance.  As she blinked again, she saw the rock pass on her right.  Had she just blinked or were her eyes closed?  No, she couldn’t fall asleep.  She took a deep breath to wake herself.  Joseph turned.  She smiled at him.  All is fine.  

****I hope you come back to read the rest!!****

Woven copyright 2007 Carol Hatcher