A Peek at Mary's Journal

I had a lofty idea to write a formed letter about the exciting lives we've lived in 2024. I even bought Christmas cards to mail that treasure in. Of course, the postal strike abolished my old-fashioned idea, so as of today I have written nary a word to send to everyone of our family and friends.

In reality, what exciting thing could I write about anyway? We moved to Martensville. Whoopee. We cleaned camp bathrooms for the entire summer. (That's a stimulating tidbit that I'm sure would make Brian and I the envy of all.)

Of course, there IS the absolutely joyous news of the birth of our newest granddaughter, Ruby -- another child to love, pray for, and adore!

And it's inside that happiest of announcements that has me thinking about: MARY.

I know, as the Bible says, the mother of Jesus "pondered in her heart" everything that happened during that first Christmas, but I wonder what she would've written if she'd kept a journal. Would it have been a flowery and perfect-sounding account (similar to the letter I wanted to take a whack at this Christmas) of the events surrounding Jesus' birth? Or ... would she have been more real about everything she experienced?

What you are about to read is in no way meant as a sacrilegious slam. I'm simply thinking about Mary as the human being she was: a woman with feelings and fallibility, like the rest of us. With that said, inside my imagination she may have written something like this:

Mary's Journal Entry: 3 PM

It's been such a long trip, but we finally made it to Bethlehem! My birthing pains started a few hours ago. At least, I think that's what's happening. They're nothing like I thought they'd be. Elizabeth was right. It's hard to explain. I had to get off the donkey and walk. My back is killing me! It's such a relief between the pains, but I suppose this is going to get worse before the baby comes. I've heard other women in labour, but I'm trying not to think of that right now. Instead, I'm telling myself I can do this! After all, babies have been born safely ever since Eve had her first one. I wonder if she was as scared as I am. She wouldn't have had a midwife either.

Joseph's looking a bit worried, but I have to admit that I'm glad of that. He's almost acting like this is no big deal. Maybe he's not nervous, but I am! Or, maybe he is frightened, but refuses to admit it. Men! Always acting so strong, even when they're not.

Entry: 4 PM

Joe just came back from the last inn he tried, and they have no room either! What kind of government do we have, that they call for a census but don't have the infrastructure to accommodate everyone who has to travel to their hometown to register?! This is highly frustrating! I mean ... where will we stay? Gaging by the growing intensity of these pains, I think this baby is coming sooner, rather than later. We at least need somewhere with clean towels and some hot water! I will pray for those things.

Entry: 5:30 PM

You're not going to believe this! I'm sitting on a hay bale in the middle of a cave, where people house their animals. I kid you not! As I've previously written, I've asked myself many times why Almighty God would choose me to carry His Son, but I think I know why now. Because I'm tenacious (or stupid) enough to be satisfied with this scenario! Well ... perhaps not fully satisfied, but there are worse places. At least we're warm and dry, and the man who's allowing us to stay here recently mucked it out, so it doesn't smell as bad as it might. This wasn't nice of me, but I couldn't help rolling my eyes at Joseph just now. He slipped on a bit of donkey dung, and then told me he thought he pulled a muscle in his back. Poor guy. He doesn't know what real back pain feels like. And every two minutes now! OW!

Entry: 7:00 PM

I just threw up the bread and water Joe found for us. As thankful as I was for that meal, I had a feeling I shouldn't be eating at a time like this. I'm feeling serious pressure down there! I hope this is over soon, or I may have to divorce my husband. I can't stand to look at him right now, but I know with the next pain I'll be grabbing for his hand again. This is very odd.

Entry: 8:30 PM

He's here!! My precious baby boy is here! When he first cried, I did too, and so did Joseph. He was so great during all of this. I have the best husband a girl could ask for! Although I felt as if I wanted to kick him right there at the end, he really did keep me calmer. And we are thrilled with our baby! I don't know how other women feel when they push their children out, but I've never felt better! And he's the most beautiful boy I've ever seen. And smart too. He breastfed right away! I could use some more water now. I'll ask Joseph. I know he'll get it for me. He needs some too.

Entry: 11:30 PM

Joseph and the baby are sleeping now, but I must write this before I forget. Wait! What am I saying? I know I'll never forget this night. As much as I've wished my family were here -- especially my mom -- we did have other visitors tonight. Shepherds make for an interesting bunch on a good day, but soon after Jesus was born a group of them came, knelt down and worshipped Him. He was lying in the trough. I'm sure you have questions about that, but we had no choice. An animal's eating manger was the only practical thing around, so Joseph dusted it out, and we're using it as a cradle for our sweet boy. At least Joe found some clean strips of cloth to bundle Jesus in. Anyway, this has been quite a day. I have much to ponder, but for right now I'm going to take my baby out of that trough (in case an animal suddenly thinks he's food), and I'm going to cuddle Him. Maybe I'll count his fingers and toes again, before we sleep awhile. He's just so perfect. I can't stop looking at him. I know that since He's God's child, God will protect Him. But I hope and pray - that the world will be fair and kind to my sweet baby boy.

Luke 2:19 (NASB1995) "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."

May you and your families have a wonderful Christmas season as we all remember the real reason for it, and the many sacrifices made for us.

May Jesus Christ by praised today, and EVERY day!

Warmly,

Pattie Janzen