OF FIRST IMPORTANCE
FATHER to FATHER
“This is definitely not how I imagined it would happen! We were enjoying making all those wedding pians with our mothers and our families, and the next thing I knew Mary was telling me she’s pregnant. Wow! What a jumbled mess that made of my thoughts. I mean, I’m not an immoral creep. People talk you know. The only thing I could think of was to quickly and quietly break the engagement and hope to get us both off the hook. But really, who was going to believe that immaculate conception thing anyway? What a mess! This sure isn’t easy.
I was thinking family! You know, a well-planned, honorable wedding. A big celebration! Great joy! Moving into the new house Dad and I built at his place. Then, maybe in two years or so Mary would come to me with the big surprise announcement. I can just see it; her bright, beautiful eyes all lit up with the news. Then the spontaneous dance of joy, followed by the anticipation of our families and their support. And then we… .0 well, it doesn’t matter now because it didn’t go the way I planned anyway.
In fact, it is just the opposite. No family and friends here to rejoice with us. Just the two of us, – alone, back here in the dark of night, up on this little hillside, in a stable of all places. Man, what a scramble that was, trying to find a place in time for Mary to have the baby in private. I sure did mess that up. Some loving, caring, provider husband I turned out to be. I guess I shoulda’ started looking for a place sooner. I probably coulda’ left home a day sooner. You know, more time to find a place sooner. I think I woulda’ planned all this better if I had known more about how all this is supposed to work. Shoulda’, woulda’, coulda’ . . . .How did I miss it so bad1y? Or, did I? 0, 1 don’t know. I just don’t know. Man, this hard. I just can’t figure it out.
Its supposed to be better than this, isn’t it? I mean, I got it when You said He is Jesus; that’s why I named Him that. But really, shouldn’t it be better? After all, He is the promised One — The Messiah! A parade or a party, maybe. Something; anything more than just. ..this. Look.
There is no one here but us and these smelly animals and some stars.
This just isn’t right! Is it? Shouldn’t there be more ah, more ah, you know, something more spectacular? You know, the only thing I have to go on in this whole bizarre deal are the words spoken by Your angel, ‘Joseph, don’t be afraid to go on with the wedding plans. The child in Mary has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And, she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’
Man, if I didn’t have that, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Paul Bersche
Filed under: The Christian Perspective
