This particular baby Jesus is a little big compared to the other figures. During this Christmas season, I've been musing off and on re: those present for the birth, and those early visitors. The gospel today was highly theological, tying up all the bits of Old Testament foretelling of the birth of Jesus. A rather neat bundle.
But what I wonder about was: who actually did the delivery? Usually that wasn't "men's work" - I wonder if the innkeeper's wife, or friend thereof delivered the baby. How privileged to be the first person on earth, besides Mary to touch God incarnate.
Did the Holy Spirit guide Joseph to that particular "inn where there was no room?" Think of the primitive conditions of birth. Babies and mothers still can die in childbirth, even in modern times. Many people who do genealogy are struck by how often there is a second wife, and sometimes a third. Not because of divorce - but because a woman died during a birth or shortly after. I'm thinking the Holy Spirit had Mary near the most competent person around to deliver that particular Baby - and helped the Blessed Mother afterwards.
4 comments:
I hope that inn had a laundry to clean that Baby's Nappies
Me too. And custom swaddling clothes to boot.
I always wonder how we know the story of Christ's birth at all. Mary must have told him the story a hundred times and then he told it to his apostles? Thinking about it the other day made my brain hurt!
Hi Laura, I guess the particulars aren't so important other than they are designed to show He is God incarnate. Don't forget Mary was with the Apostles, John in particular, but quite near the beginning of Acts we are told of Mary being there amongst them. If you were one of the apostles or a disciple, wouldn't you pump Mary for information? I sure would!
Karen
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