Light of the World - A Short Story

MARY LAYS upon the floor, her restless eyes searching the silent darkness. Something stirs at the doors of her heart tonight, fluttering, whispering, softly keeping her awake.

She sighs and quietly pushes herself up, her blankets falling down onto her lap. Pushing damp strands of dark hair off her forehead, Mary rubs her tired eyes and then turns her face to the open window in the stone wall.

Drawing herself silently to her feet, she decides a walk outside will perhaps give her the peace her body needs to sleep.

Mary crosses onto the wet grass of the small garden across the sandy road, breathing in deeply and praising God for the wonderful beauty of the night wrapping its scents and sounds all around her.

Uttering a small sigh of contentment, she sinks to the ground, her back against a tree. She breathes in deeply and looks upwards. What is it that keeps her awake this night?

Looking up, her eyes fasten onto a bright white star, shimmering in its fixed place in the dark canvas of the sky. She notes it seems to be glowing the brightest of them all.

A great gust of billowing air flows through the garden then, catching her hair up in its currents and setting the trees and plants to rustling.

And then she feels a presence. Filling the garden, filling the night, drawing near to Mary's quiet form in the garden. A still, small voice weaves itself into the breeze, carried to her ears on the tides of the wind, wrapping itself around her form.

The voice grows larger, deeper, it is calling her by name! The wind stirs in thrumming, holy anticipation around her and the star grows brighter until suddenly the night is flooded by shining white light and Mary shields her eyes at the brightness.

"Mary," A deep voice reverberates into the night and her spirit feels the holy presence rushing like a stream of living water into the garden.

Trembling slightly, Mary slowly takes her hand down from her eyes, squinting at the bright light and then falling to her knees in reverence. It is an angel of God!

"Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"

Mary looks up in awestruck wonder at the angel, feeling her figure faintly shaking in fear. Her mind reels, trying to discern what kind of greeting this holy being brings her. What does he mean, 'favored one'? She is troubled, her mind turning the angel's words over in her head.

The angel's expression is that of joy and deep love, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Mary is struck, astonishment flows through her body at his words. The Messiah! The Messiah is to come! Wait, the Messiah is to come to her?

The words spill out of her lips as she looks up to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel answers, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy- the Son of God. And behold! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God."

Elizabeth? Elizabeth is with child?! Mary's eyes are filled with wonder and fear as she beholds the wisdom and truth she sees reflecting in the angel’s face. She knows his words to be true.

But she is afraid, terrified! A child?! The Son of God, she is to carry within her! She has seen the pain and exhaustion childbirth can bring. How can she be ready for this? And she is still so young! The Son of God! Mary trembles at her thoughts. But surely God will give her strength. Surely God will be with her.

But why would God bestow this task upon her? Mary looks at the angel’s shining face. She is but only a young and humble woman. Not one of great riches and wisdom and strength. She doesn't think herself to be brave or courageous. How could God use her? Why did God choose her?

She looks up to the angel again. Favored one. Nothing will be impossible with God. The words fill and expand in her mind. Nothing is impossible with God. The Lord is with you. And then the gentle voice whispers into the corners of her mind: do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Mary exhales in gentle relief, giving herself, everything she humbly is, to her Lord who is her strength, and bows in submission before the angel, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."

Mary looks up as light wavers and then darkens again. The crickets song rises once more. But she feels a presence inside of her now, that which is holy and filled with light and sacred promise.

Her heart quivers; she is afraid, daunted by this great task. Her future isn't like what she thought it would be now. What of her betrothal to Joseph? What of her family, her friends, what will they say, what will they think? Will they believe?

Feeling herself trembling, Mary turns her mind and begins to ponder over each sentence of the angel, to treasure up every word in her heart. She can hear the words of the angel, repeating and whispering through her mind, emanating into every corner until her heart expands with hope.

God has entrusted her, her, with this task. Her mind reels once more and then comes to rest on wonder and joy. Oh, Lord! I will give my all to you. I am your servant!

“Let it be to me according to your word, God,” Mary whispers her words to the heavens once more, and returning to her home, she finally sinks into sleep.

✵ ✵ ✵

Nine months pass before Mary finds herself beside Joseph, sitting on their small donkey, only a mile from Jerusalem. They are travelling from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to be registered for the census. The journey is taxing, but Joseph says they shall reach Bethlehem this night. Mary exhales in relief at the thought. She is so weary; how she can’t wait to reach Bethlehem!

Joseph turns and takes Mary’s hand, looking into her eyes, “When we arrive tonight you can rest, Mary. I am sorry we have had to take this journey so close to the birth of the child; I know how burdensome it is. I promise we will be there as soon as we can.”

Mary clasps her palms around Joseph’s hand, “Thank you, Joseph. You have been so good; don’t worry about me, we will reach Bethlehem in God’s timing.”

Joseph smiles up at her and then takes the rope to lead the donkey once more.

A smile spreads over Mary’s face as she looks at Joseph leading the donkey before her. He has so kindly taken care of her and been there for her through this journey.

She thinks back to the day Joseph learned she was with child and her heart twists. It had been different then. She can remember that day so clearly. It was the day she had returned from Elizabeth and Zachariah’s home.

She had been gone for three months, staying with her relatives, and she had seen the angel’s words of Elizaeth’s child come true, for Elizabeth had born a son, John! What joy those months had been filled with!

But then Mary had returned home.

And her family hadn’t believed her. She can still hear her mother’s tears. Hear her father’s scorn. Hear her brothers and sisters questions and confusion.

She had told them the angel’s words. Told them of the miracle in Elizabeth as well. Implored them to believe the Lord’s promises and words!

But they would not believe.

The most stinging moment had come when Joseph had rushed up to the door, breathless in his excitement to see Mary again after three months, his face glowing with anticipation and love. He had gazed upon Mary and then her heart had sunk as she had watched his expression crumble.

Her father had angrily told Joseph the situation and the hurt in Joseph’s eyes had pierced Mary’s heart as he had gazed upon her.

They had one moment together before he left her home. He had stood at the door a few feet away, his apprehension to approach her clear, his hurt and anger evident.

Mary had implored of him, trying to keep her tears at bay, “What I speak is truth, the angel tol-”

“How can it be true!? A child is not conceived in that way, Mary!” His voice had broken and his face contorted painfully, “I thought you were a woman of great virtue.”

A tear had slipped down her cheek, “Joseph, please, listen to me! Believe the angel’s words-”

But he had already left.

Mary looked down at her growing abdomen, placing her hands over the child, the Son of God, within it. Emotion swirled in tumultuous waves. Why would no one believe the angel’s words? They thought she was disloyal and dishonest. Her heart broke.

Fear sliced through her mind. Women who were disloyal to their husbands often came to public shame, and they were often stoned for it. If Joseph revealed what he thought to be true, everyone would believe him! They would not believe her words. And they would kill the Son of God before he was even born!

No. Mary’s mind rebelled at the thought, more so for the child than for herself. That couldn’t happen. God would protect his son.

The news came later that day from her father: Joseph was unwilling to bring her to public shame. Their situation would remain a secret for now.

Her father had walked away, his anger and disappointment obvious, and Mary had exhaled, looking up at the darkening sky, “Oh Lord, you have made a way. You have protected Your Son.” Her heart ached still. How would they accept the Messiah if they thought in this way? She didn’t understand.

And would Joseph still marry her? Her heart twisted, why would Joseph want to marry a woman who betrayed him? But she hadn’t betrayed him! Her family didn’t believe. Joseph didn’t believe. How would this work? Her people had to accept the Messiah! God’s promised Messiah was at hand! Would no one stand by her?

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. The promise her Lord gave to Jacob so long ago whispered into her mind.

Mary exhaled, her mind latching onto the promise given her, peace flowing into her very soul, “Yes, Lord. Oh please be with me. Help me to cling to this promise!”

Mary looked down at her clasped hands, shaking in exhaustion and spent emotion, “Oh please heavenly Father, make a way, just like you have made a way now to protect Your Son, just like you have before made a way for Your people time and time again! Oh, that my family and husband would come to believe Your precious words, God. That they may accept the gift of Your Son- that they may accept the Messiah! Please Lord, let it be so!” she sighs and whispers, “But let it be to me according to Your word,”

The next day God made a way.

As Joseph had run up to Mary standing in the fields, her heart had sunk, thinking perhaps he had changed his mind, thinking he would expose her to public disgrace, thinking the Messiah would die!

But then Joseph had reached her, panting, and caught up her hands in his own, his hair disheveled and his eyes glowing with astonishment, “That which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Mary’s heart soared and her heart filled with joy. Joseph believed! He could not have known those words except through God. The Lord had revealed the truth!

“Oh Mary, forgive me for not believing your words. You spoke the truth. The angel came to me also; the Messiah is to come! He is to come through you!” his eyes shone.

Mary placed her hand over Joseph’s hand still caressing her face, “Oh, Joseph, I was so afraid that no one would believe” her voice broke, “I was so afraid that everyone would leave me.”

Joseph's eyes filled with tears as he gazed upon her tenderly, “Mary I will stand by you. The Lord will be with us both. He will guide us. Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife,” he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “I will do as the angel says, Mary. I will become your husband. I will not leave you,”

Mary looked up at Joseph, gratitude filling her being. Oh, Lord, Lord, thank you for making a way!

And Joseph kept his promise. He married her after a few months when their betrothal period ended. And he stood by her.

It was nearly six months later when the census was called.

And six long days later, here they were in front of Jerusalem’s gates.

Mary sighs, coming out of her thoughts and shifting herself on the donkey. She is barely ever comfortable now; the child must be coming soon.

Twilight has come and gone by the time Bethlehem is in sight before them.

And that’s when the contractions start.

Oh no, Mary quietly exhales, despairing at the thought that they will now have to rush to Bethlehem “Joseph,” she whispers, “I think it’s time,”

Joseph turns and stares up at Mary, “Time for wha- the baby’s coming!?”

Mary nods, leaning forward and steadying her breathing to calm herself.

Joseph grasps her hand and moves her hair out of her face and off of her shoulders, looking into her eyes, his own filled with concern and bewilderment, “Right now?! Are you sure?”

Mary gives a small laugh and tries to steady her panicking thoughts; they must reach Bethlehem, “Yes, right now!”

Joseph steps back, pushing his bedraggled curly hair off his forehand with a shaking hand, “Oh-oh! okay, okay, alright. Right now, wow!”

“Joseph, we need to find somewhere! We must reach Bethlehem”

Joseph jumps into action, “Yes! We need to find an inn. Oh, Mary it’ll be okay,” his breathing becomes heavy.

Mary holds fast to the creature’s short mane as the donkey stumbles forward “Joseph, please hurry,” she lets out a small exhale as the pain increases slightly.

Reaching Bethlehem, she watches as Joseph hurriedly wraps the lead rope around a post and rushes up to an inn, banging on the door.

A heavyset man opens the door and the light of lanterns from inside spills onto the pathway, “Please, Sir! Is there any room in your inn? My wife is about to give birth and she needs he-”

“I’m sorry, there’s no room in my inn,” the innkeeper frowns down at Joseph, “every room is packed to the roof with-”

Joseph leaps down the short pathway and rushes to unwind the lead rope again, his hands trembling. The innkeeper mumbles something and bangs the door shut. Mary’s breathing becomes heavy with gasps, the pain intensifying; the child will be coming soon- they need to find a place.

Oh Lord please let us find somewhere! Anywhere please! Anywhere! Joseph spurs the donkey faster.

They reach the next inn and Joseph rushes up to the door, pounding on the wood.

Joseph speaks as soon as the elderly man creaks open the door, “Please! My wife is about to give birth! She needs help right now! Do you have any room, Sir? Please!”

The man surveys Joseph and looks back at Mary, gazing into her eyes with sympathy, “I’m sorry, young man, my inn is full as well,” his deep exhale rattles in his chest.

Joseph lets out a groan and turns away, running back towards Mary, “Wait! Young man! I have a stable for animals,” the man points out a darkened stable set into the side of a stone outcropping to his right, “It isn’t being used right now, and I reckon all the inns and homes are full, so there’d be as good a place as any.”

Joseph lets out a deep sigh, “Thank you, Sir, thank you for your kindness!”

“Josep-,” Mary breathes in and out, “It’s getting worse!” her forehead breaks out in sweat and she grasps the donkey’s mane.

Joseph snatches up the donkey’s rope, “We’re almost there Mary! Hang on! Hang on!”

“Wait!” the old man limps out onto the pathway as Joseph begins to drag the donkey towards the stable, “You will need help for her; I have a woman, Anna, who can help, I will send her over,” he chuckles as he looks at Joseph’s bewildered expression, “I’m not sure you will be of much help young, Sir,”

Joseph nods frantically, “Yes, yes! Thank you! Oh, thank you, Sir!”

They reach the stable-cave, Mary gasping for breath through the increasing pains. Joseph quickly makes a space on the ground and spreads his cloak over the hay.

Coming over and taking Mary, he carries her in his arms as he rushes over and places her gently on the ground, kneeling down beside her.

Joseph brushes damp tendrils of hair off of Mary’s forehead, gently stroking her forehead in an effort to comfort her. His eyes are filled with fear for her, “Mary, Anna will be here soon and then you’ll have help; hold on,”

He picks up her hand, kissing her palm, and then grasps it in his own, allowing her to squeeze his hand as more contractions roll over her body.

She groans, Oh Lord please help me, be my strength. Please be with me through this.

The next minutes blur together as the pain increases and Anna finally comes, taking Joseph’s place beside Mary and helping her.

It is another hour before the baby finally comes. Mary sobs with exhausted relief and joy as Anna finally places her child into her arms.

Trembling, Mary exhales and looks down at the promised Messiah with awe, placing her finger into his palm and smiling tearfully as he softly grasps his little hand around her finger. Oh, Lord, Lord!

Joseph rushes over and falls to the ground beside her, cupping his hand on her cheek. He searches her eyes, tears in his own, before looking down at the precious child.

A smile spreads across his face, and he reaches out a gentle hand to softly touch the baby’s forehead. Mary smiles up at him, “Do you want to hold him?”

Joseph looks over to her, nodding, and she places the child carefully within his arms. His face glows with love, the light of deep joy and wonder in his eyes.

He laughs, his face split in a grin as he looks over to Mary. She watches as tears run down his cheeks and he gently strokes his finger over the baby’s forehead, “Jesus,” his voice thrums with emotion, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Mary laughs, joy flooding into her heart, “Jesus! What a beautiful name that has been given him by God!” tears stream down her cheeks, “Savior, deliverer, that is His name.” Her heart soars at the prospect of the immensity of this moment, the wonder and holiness of it all: God’s Son has just come into the world. Oh, and He shall rise up to bring salvation to our people. How amazing are you God! Her heart sings in praise.

Joseph places Jesus back into Mary’s arms and she sighs.

Staring down at the tiny baby in her arms, Mary can feel her heart beating in her chest, feel the moment slowing down as though the world has just stopped and caught its breath in the sheer wonder of the moment. The Messiah. God’s promised anointed Saviour, King, One who will save their people!

She looks up as a shaft of light from a bright star outside the cave suddenly seeps in through a splintered crack near the top of the roof and reaches down in a soft, white beam, breaking the darkness of the cave and shedding light into the shadows.

The silvery light comes to rest on Jesus, softly illuminating him in the indigo blackness of the stable. She catches her breath in amazement as the light shimmers over his little face, making him glow as though in a starry anointment of the Son of God.

Mary suddenly hears the wind sigh in a sweeping, thrumming gust outside and almost thinks she can hear twined into that breeze a still, small voice saying light of the world. Rejoice! Glory to God in the highest! Oh, the light of the world has come.

The cool night air wraps around her and she breathes in deeply. Oh, Lord Lord! All I can say are these feeble words: thank you my Lord, my King! Thank you for sending Your Son.

Holding Jesus gently in her arms, Mary wraps Jesus snugly in swaddling clothes to shield him against the soft chill of the night.

She peers around, searching for a bed, a place, somewhere to lay him so that he might sleep.

Mary looks up as Joseph drags an animal manger across the stable. He gazes down at her, “Perhaps we can lay him in here?”

Mary nods, moving her weary body close to the manger and spreading her shawl over the straw before gently placing Jesus into the manger. She looks down at him, tenderly stroking his soft baby forehead while sitting beside the manger looking down at the tiny child.

They both startle as they hear footsteps crunch at the entrance to the stable.

Mary’s eyes widen as she hears a sheep’s warbling bleat and then sees three shepherds come tentatively around the corner, peering into the pale darkness of the cave.

More shepherds and a few straggling sheep crowd up behind, and Joseph steps forwards a little in front of the manger and Mary still sitting on the hay.

A young shepherd comes forward and nods deeply to both Joseph and then to Mary, answering Joseph’s inquiring look, “Greetings. We have come to find a Savior we were told was born on this day. W-we were told by an angel that we would find him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger,” he steps forwards a little, “He said to us: fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger,” the young man’s voice reverberates with awe before he speaks up once more, “We have asked of many people and were told by a man from the inn up the road that a child was born this night here in this stable; has a child indeed been born to you?”

Mary’s heart picks up speed and she looks up at Joseph, his eyes wide at the words of the shepherds, “Yes, yes! A child has been born to us tonight!”

Mary turns and gently takes Jesus from the manger into her arms, holding him slightly out towards the shepherds. A tear rolls down her cheek and she speaks, “Yes, His name is Jesus.”

Mary looks up as more people tentatively step into the stable, woken in the precious hours of the night by the shepherd’s search, coming to see what they speak of.

Mary’s heart fills: God has brought humble, common people, some even deemed outcasts, to heed the coming of his kingly son. How kind and full of goodness he is! Tears pool in her eyes as she hears the soft murmurings of the shepherds and the people of the village, He is in swaddling cloths in a manger, just as the angel said!... Jesus; oh, his name means deliverer… He is the Savior!... Oh, thank you Lord, how good you are!... The Messiah has come!.... How precious a night this is...

The young shepherd comes up then, his eyes fixed onto the tiny baby and tears pooling in his eyes. He looks over to Mary and Joseph, “May I touch him?”

Mary nods, handing Jesus up to Joseph, a teary smile on her face. The shepherd reaches out a gentle hand and softly touches Jesus’ forehead, wonder in his eyes, “My king, my Savior,” the shepherd murmurs.

He places his hand into the baby’s tiny palm and chuckles as Jesus gives a small squirm and wraps his little hand around the young man’s finger, “Praise God the Messiah has come! It is just as the angel has said!” The shepherd steps back and beams at Mary and Joseph, “God’s promised deliverer- his anointed one- has come!”

Joseph stands by Mary and they watch as the people and shepherds come up and peer at the tiny baby, wondering at the goodness of God, murmuring to each other and singing praises and hymns to God, some even placing small bouquets of field flowers in with the baby.

Mary watches the scene, treasuring up each praise, each tearful smile, each song, each exclamation of joy and amazement, each flower, each look of wonder, each awe-filled moment and hiding them in her heart. She grows silent, soaking in the scene before her, pondering over every moment, seeing the wonder of God’s good and sacred plan weaving throughout this wondrous night, this joyful, holy advent.

And she watches as a final old shepherd comes up, a small sheep trailing at his heavily booted feet. His eyes wrinkle as a smile spreads over his weathered face and he reaches out to tenderly brush his finger across the baby’s cheek. He pulls out a small, almost withered flower from his robe and places it as a humble offering next to the holy child, letting his weary gaze rest on Jesus’ face for a few moments.

And then Mary watches as he finally stands up and his shoulders slump in a deep exhale, his strained expression replaced by an expression of peace. She just catches his softy whispered words before he turns around and leaves the cave, going out to return to his humble fields, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! The light of the world has come, oh the Messiah is here. Heralded by the outcast and the lonely, shown first to the humble and the meek, born in a poor, lowly stable, one who’s Father’s deep love extends his peace and hope to a wandering, low shepherd,”

It was then the light from the bright, shimmering star shone through that splintering crack again and the gust of wind from outside sighed once more, flickering glittering light over God’s holy son as the shepherd’s words floated into the night, “Oh, the light of the world has come, breaking the darkness of the night and bringing light to our hearts. Oh, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Yes, the light of the world has come! Yes, the Messiah, our light, is here!”