THE CHRISTMAS STORY

'How did this happen? The woman I love is pregnant with another man's child? Oh, Jehovah I thought she was the one for me. What about the confirmations you gave me? How did everything go wrong?' Joseph muttered to himself as he bowed his head in utter confusion. He couldn't understand how his fianceè, Mary could do such a thing to him. He loved that woman... and even in the midst of the seeming betrayal, he still loved her. This was why he wouldn't make the news public. He would keep it to himself and save her from embarrassment. Joseph was even more hurt by the fact that she felt no remorse. 'It's the work of the Holy Spirit,' she claimed. What balderdash! Joseph was a handsome dude, kind and hardworking too. Many girls had their eyes on him and tried various techniques to win him, even if it was just to earn a one-night stand but Joseph stood his ground. He would not defile himself and sin against God. He would wait, wait for his darling Mary. But hey, she broke his heart. She had played the harlot! This was the shocker of the century. She seemed to love the Lord and looked so chaste. 'How could one be that good at pretending?' was one of the many questions wandering in his shattered heart.

It was a towering figure, very huge and beautiful. Its garment was immaculate white. Everything about it shone with a glory so divine and peaceful.
'I am Gabriel, sent down from Heaven,' he said as his sheen blue eyes stared into Joseph's. 'Do not be afraid to go ahead with the wedding plans. She is indeed the one for you, Joseph. The child that is conceived in her womb is from the Holy Spirit and you'll call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' Joseph woke up with a start. The scene with the angel had been a dream. He had seen an angel! This must be the Angel Mary told him about. She was right after all. She had not cheated on him. 'My Mary! I'd apologise to her. She must be so down now. Oh, Mary...'

Mary and Joseph travel down to the latter's hometown because Caesar Augustus commanded that the whole Roman Empire be registered; they have to do it there. The little town of Bethlehem is filled with people and the love-doves are unable to secure an apartment. They are shown a stable and they accept it. They have to, they are left with no choice. Mary's stomach is stretched taut, she is already nine months gone. She is still chaste. They didn't taste and feel the pleasure and sensual gratification of even the usually awaited wedding night. It has been months and Joseph has been disciplined all through. He has been a man, affectionately caring for her. And this night, he wraps his muscular arm around her, plants a kiss on her forehead as he tells her in his most soothing tone that they would be fine in this stable.

There he is, lying in a manger: the paradigm of beauty and bliss. Mother and foster father are unable to take their eyes off Him. The colour of His eyes makes them think of Heaven, the complexion of His skin and the euphonious sound of His voice floods their heart with an emotion that must be nothing else but peace, divine peace.
'Sweetheart, you did it. You did it!'
'No, my love. We did it!' She leans on Joseph's waiting shoulder and adds, 'What a gorgeous baby! I'm favoured. We are favoured.'