[Short Story] Christmas through Joseph's eyes

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Christmas through Joseph's Eyes
by Al Chandanais (chandy)​

He guided his wife to a dry place, it had been a long trip and they were both very tired. The town of Bethlehem was busy with travelers who have come to take part in the census ordered by the King. Joseph, guided by the divine hand of God to a shelter, a place where Mary could have some privacy. He felt very sad that he could not provide a better place for Mary, for a moment he thought... "I am the great-great grandson of David, King of all Israel, and my wife is going to give birth to The Son of God in a manger, how can this be? Perhaps I can make arrangements somehow, if there's time, but time is running out." Mary's water broke; He made her as comfortable as possible. At least it is warm and dry, he said to himself.
The name above all names is about to enter a confused and fear filled world, the Christ Child, Son of God, Emmanuel (God with Us). Mary gasped at the sudden movements within her; she held Joseph's hand tightly as the child began his entry into the world. All the animals grew very quiet moving themselves away from the couple as Joseph comforted his wide-eyed love. A peace filled the small room as Joseph positioned himself before her. Joseph took a gentle hold of the child as Mary gave birth, a still silence filled the room and the entire world seemed to stop as the Child Jesus took his first breath.
For an instant, Joseph saw the child's future, his obedience to him and Mary, his love of scripture, his tenderness and love of life and the people of Israel. Joseph saw Jesus' disciples and the crowds that would follow him. He also saw the elders and trouble that the Pharisees and Sadducees would make for Jesus and the hatred they would have. He saw the effect his son would have on those who were in most need, and the miracles performed in the name of God. He saw the breaking of the Bread and the Wine shared with Jesus' friends calling the meal His Body and Blood, all in accordance with Melchizedek, declared first high priest by God, who blessed Abraham with this very sacrifice so many years before. Joseph saw the scourging and the abandonment of his followers and then he saw the carrying of the Cross-and the Crucifixion. Joseph saw his son’s Resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the books added to the Torah and called The New Testament, all about Gods Grace through Jesus his son. The witnesses that would fill the earth. The great Cathedrals and the pilgrims that would follow his son’s way and the whole earth celebrating this night forever more. In what was only a moment of birth he saw the child's life in a flood of understanding.
Joseph cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the baby, wrapped the child in cloth and rested the great child in His mother’s arms. His eyes filled with tears, "Mary, he looks like you." He said in a wonder of it all moment. Mary smiled and rested the child at her breast for the first time.
Joseph comforted his Mary and child Jesus as best he could, then sat in awe and great love, staring at the Miracle and Savior he just helped bring into the world. Joseph then
spoke to God, “O Lord God,” Joseph wept, “our son is beautiful!”