The Final Voice: The Shepherds

NOTE: This narrative is based in scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story as told by those who were closest to it. Please read accordingly.

The Last Voice of Christmas

Part Twelve

A shepherd knows some things: peace of mind, serenity of soul and moments of divine presence. He knows about new life coming into the world. He is acquainted with extreme heat, bitter cold, and the pain of loneliness. He suffers through sleepless nights.

He fends off predators, both animal and human. He mends injuries, treats illness, and grieves over death. He worries about leaving his flock so he can search for a lost lamb.

He is the pastor of his sheep, and the Lord is his shepherd.

ONE NIGHT: It was a silent night, a holy night, when the stars were brighter and the air was crisp and cold. A few of us huddled around a small fire when suddenly an angel appeared in light so brilliant that it hurt our eyes.

He came to give good news of great joy, that a savior had been born, that Emanuel had come to help the people. He said that the infant king was only a short distance away and that God has chosen us to see him. Then, we fell to our knees as the night sky exploded in splendor with the angelic host praising God’s name.

SEARCHED: We left our flocks to go and find him, and we did, and not in a Jerusalem palace but a Bethlehem stable. We were confused by his birthplace, that the newly arrived Messiah would be so low born. The stable smelled worse than we did, which is saying a lot since shepherds reek of sheep smell.

We were surprised that his mother was so young, barely of age to marry, and even then was only betrothed to a young man from Nazareth. But Mary and Jospeh shared their story, telling us how Gabriel approached them and all that he said. It was thrilling.

We left the stable praising God for all we had seen and heard. As we joined our flocks we remembered the prophecies, that the Messiah would not appear kingly, or be recognized as special. He came to give good news to the poor, to bind the brokenhearted, and to set the captives free. He came to forgive the sins. He would need to come from among us.

His ministry, purpose and compassion will be extraordinary, but he won’t be. He won’t be adorned in royal robes or ride in golden carriages, instead he will walk the dusty roads of Palestine. He began in a stable, and speaking symbolically, he will never leave it.

GRACE: It was a night of nights and beyond special, it was incredible. We had been granted the amazing gift of amazing grace.

It was a silent night, a holy night. A night for God to come near.

May the nations rejoice at his birth, for it was most merry.

Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing this journey with me.

 

 

 

 

 

A Mother’s Voice

NOTE: This narrative is based in scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story told by those closest to the event, read accordingly. Thanks.

 

The Voices of Christmas

Part Eleven

On the western side of our village is a rocky ledge with a view of orchards and fields in a small valley below. There are olives, figs and pomegranates and acres of wheat reaching up to the summer sun. Every time I go there it fills me with hope knowing that everything has a moment, or a season, of beauty and great worth. Maybe that’s why I go so often, in the hope that I too will realize a moment of beauty and worth.

The daydreams of an ordinary girl living an ordinary life

It’s silly for I am neither beautiful nor have any particular worth. I am an unknown person living in a village where nothing special ever happens. Nazareth is not the place to live if you are hoping for something extraordinary. Well, except for this:

As of today I am eight months pregnant. 

THE DIFFERENCE: It isn’t extraordinary to be pregnant since young wives have babies often enough. But my baby is different. You won’t believe it but I have never been with a man. My purity is my vow to God, it’s how I serve him, and how I honor my family. I am betrothed, but we haven’t been together, I promise before God. But I am with child.

DO YOU BELIEVE? That’s extraordinary isn’t it? A Jewish girl who is pregnant by the power of the Spirit will deliver a son to reign on David’s throne! I have treasured these things and pondered them. But many don’t believe, choosing instead to accuse, scoff and ridicule. Rabbis, Synagogue Rulers, village elders and many others refuse to believe. I’ve explained over and over about Gabriel, but it doesn’t matter, they can’t see it.

I am the Lord’s servant, may it be done unto me as he has said. 

A JOURNEY: Joseph and I leave next week for Bethlehem, the town of David, in compliance with the Census. It will be a difficult journey, and Joseph feels strongly that I should stay in Nazareth, but I believe the Lord wants me in Bethlehem, that there is a purpose for it. Is it the Micah prophecy? Could it be?

My uncle has offered the use of a donkey, so at least I won’t have to walk. Im sure everything will be fine. We will get there, register for the census, and then get back to Nazareth. The whole trip shouldn’t take a week.

But here is a thought I keep having. The Lord has chosen me to bring Emanuel into the world. God is coming and it’s happening through child birth, it’s happening through me.

The Messiah will arrive as a new born infant, helpless and dependent. I will care for him, nurture him and provide all his needs. I will love and protect him. He will be my firstborn and I will be his mother. I will hold him to my breast and nurse the Son of God.

The Lord has entrusted the salvation of the world to a teenaged girl, to me.

It will be a day of glad tidings, news of great joy, a Merry-Christ birth. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord

A Carpenter’s Voice

NOTE: This narrative is based in scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story told by those closest to the event, read accordingly. Thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Ten

I work for a stone mason but he doesn’t just quarry stone. He is a builder, he builds houses, store rooms, small buildings and occasionally, a synagogue. Some call him a carpenter, but there are few trees so there is little wood with which to build things.

Actually, I am an apprentice: a learner, a helper and sometimes a builder. But mostly I  do whatever he asks and provide whatever he needs, and stop my mouth before asking questions like,

“When do I get to hammer something?” 

I’m not criticizing, for he started as an apprentice as did the one he apprenticed for, and so on. It’s a time honored tradition for training tradesmen.

It’s also what father’s do for their sons. I apprentice for a highly skilled man named Yacob. He is my father. My name is Yosef and I have been learning for years. My hands are calloused, my skin is rough, and my muscles are strong for building with stone requires much effort.

Something else fathers do is find a suitable bride for their sons. Suitable means a girl of the highest standards, with an honorable reputation and a Godly character. This my father did for me and I am betrothed to Miriam. She was set apart for me and I for her. Like the apprenticeship, our way of marriage is a time honored tradition.

Today is the third day of our journey. It’s been slow for she is late in her time of pregnancy. I won’t explain how she is with child and yet, we have not come together in the fullness of marriage.

It’s okay, hardly anyone believes me either.

I could not have known that she would give birth to the Lord’s anointed. The words still catch in my throat for who am I to be father to Yeshua?  But it matters not, for I must honor God. Today we reach Bethlehem and tomorrow I will register for the Roman census, and then we will travel home to Nazareth.

I have been in constant prayer that God will provide us with good lodging. Miriam is fearless and her resolve is strong. She believes, as a servant of God, that whatever he wills is what will happen. But frankly, I’m worried.

Finally, I see Bethlehem in the near distance. We will find lodging with warm food and a good bed for Miriam. Her time of pregnancy is ending, and the baby is coming.

I inquire at a house known for assisting travelers but due to the census they are full. We find an inn but they are also full. Fearing the worst, I enter the only place left, but sadly get the same result. I turn to leave when he says, “Young man, I’m sorry we don’t have a room for you. But If you will accept it, you can stay in the stable. It’s partially covered and has fresh hay. There are some camels and donkeys but I will make a small fire which will keep them from you and keep you warm. We have plenty of blankets and of course, some good food and fresh water. What do you think”?

I went out to Miriam and explained as best as I could. My heart was burdened and heavy. I am responsible for her. I am a builder of buildings and yet, all I could offer was an animal’s stable. I felt ashamed.

But Miriam smiled and said, “Yosef, it’s all right, we will be warm and have food and we will be together and the Lord will be with us. Now, would you please help me down.”

Later that evening she went into labor, I had hoped it wouldn’t happen here in this place. But again, with her customary faith and courage she said,

“Yosef, our son will soon be born, please cut one of the blankets into strips so we have something to wrap him with. And then fold some blankets and place them in the manger so he will have a place to sleep.”

The Son of God is about to come into the world.

It will be a Merry birth of Christ!

 

 

 

A Kingmaker’s Voice

NOTE: This narrative is based in scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story told by those closest to the event, read accordingly. Thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Nine

Some say we are the power. Or that we wield it but from behind the throne. Some suggest we have more power than the one on the throne. This may all be accurate. Our group has been influencing kings, shaping kingdoms, and guiding great events for centuries. We are the Magi, the Wise Men of the East.

THE DIVINE

Mistake us not for common parlor magicians. We are astronomers, scientists, philosophers and counselors to kings and those royal born. Our order isn’t interested in the petty pursuit of wealth or the unbridled acquisition of things. Although we’ve benefited from our labors our purpose isn’t to own the world but to capture knowledge, to gain faith, and a better understanding of the divine.

From a century long past a Hebrew man named Daniel left us knowledge of a king who would be born among his people. A king of kings to rule with the power and majesty of the one God. For hundreds of years our caste has waited for his birth, and while we waited, we taught each new generation of our brothers. Each year we search the skies for the sign of his birth. We exist to worship him and present him with the gifts that have been given to kings in kingdoms all over the East. Seeing this king is our greatest purpose and most glorious resolve.

Tonight it happened, after years, decades and centuries, we have seen his star.

   And now we must go. The gifts are well guarded, as are we, by our warriors sworn to protect us and our divine purpose. It is Jerusalem we seek and it will require many days.

KING HEROD

We try to imagine how it happened, marveling that a king could be born in Palestine, a vassal state of the Roman empire. We know King Herod is not the rightful king of Judea, but a political pawn, a violent man, and will certainly interfere. We will be careful of him.

Was Daniel truly divine in his dreams and visions? Will there be a kingdom of righteousness with this infant king? For he has come to a world that is ripped and raped by a Roman dynasty intent on enslaving everyone in its path.

HIS KINGDOM

We can only imagine a king that could be known as the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father and a Wonderful Counselor. How mighty would that king be? Imagine a kingdom built with divine love and ruled by compassion for those in need. A kingdom without wars and pillaging, or the unquenchable desire to destroy all who get in the way.

Could this really happen? Will the infant king be enough: strong enough, loving and good enough to build such a kingdom? We hope and pray that he is. So, we seek him.

For it’s almost as if God himself had come to help us. 

May the name of Daniel’s God be praised.

A Deceiver’s Voice

NOTE: This narrative is based in scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story told by those closest to the event, read accordingly. Thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Eight

Hope springs eternal. Perhaps so, and I dread that it might, because hope fills me with fear and I hate being afraid. I much prefer to fill the hearts of others with it.

THE NEWS

Word of this virgin girl’s pregnancy reached my ears. At first I was doubtful and dismissive for Nazareth fails to square up with expectations. But then a nagging sense of something grew like a thorn in my eye and I renewed my interest with hurried passion. Against all knowledge I came to believe it was her, that she was the one.

Now I must act for the one within her must not come to be.

NAZARETH

It was brilliant to hide her in that pitiful village, for it’s nothing but a stain on the road, a sorry pit for the pathetic and impoverished. It’s a place to go unnoticed. Their only distinction is being nothing special. So, I’ll hand it to him, I nearly missed it.

Note: If I can end the baby there then I can end it for all time everywhere.

 MY PLAN

• Fill Joseph’s heart with jealousy, betrayal and bitterness.
• Break up the betrothal and prevent the marriage.
• Cast Mary in the light of adultery, fornication and defilement.
• Create a physical trauma that will kill her unborn baby.
• If she goes to Bethlehem then evil must befall her on the journey.
• But, if she makes it, I’ll force her to give birth in filthy, unclean conditions.
• Daniel’s Magi will find the baby and I’ll force them back to Herod.
• I’ll give King Herod the idea of killing the baby, or all the babies.
• But if they escape Judea, I’ll make sure they engage violent men.

I must thwart the ancient one’s plan to redeem the world. If he comes here he will be crowned the King of Kings and will offer mercy and grace to mankind. So, he must not be born, he must die and not on a hill faraway on an old rugged cross, but from a miscarriage, or disease, or an infection. Maybe he could be crushed by an animal in the stable, hmmm, so many possibilities.

The forces of this broken world must be unleashed for his destruction. The child must never take his first breath. But if somehow he makes it to birth then I’ll intensify my efforts to destroy him.

Note: I must not fail at this.

AND ME?

You know me. I am the Great Deceiver, the Prince of Darkness, a liar and the father of lies. I am Satan and let no one doubt my intension or my resolve.

AND THE PROPHECIES?

There won’t be any fulfilled prophecies. There will be no good news, no miracles, signs or wonders. The brokenhearted will not be bound up. The sinners will go unforgiven. The prisoners will not be released. There will be no Prince of Peace or Wonderful Counselor. I will not allow this merry event to happen but instead will plunge this world into everlasting darkness.

I am the great serpent and I rule this world through hopelessness and despair.

This I vow: The Galilean girl and her baby will not emerge victorious.

 

The Neighbor

NOTE-this narrative is from scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story as told by those closest to the event. Please read accordingly. Thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Seven

A CONVERSATION ON THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM

Conversation On The Way to Register-Bethlehem

SIMEON: This census makes no sense. Augustus doesn’t care how many Jews live in Palestine. He’s just flexing his muscles to get more taxes. If they have our names and know where we live and how we make a living then they can broaden the tax base. The Emperor gets richer and we get poorer.

BENJAMIN: You seem awfully bitter Simeon. I know Rome is brutally uncaring about our condition and would slaughter us if it wasn’t for the income we provide.

But we shouldn’t waste our time complaining about Rome. We should talk about the coming Messiah, and how he will restore our land and redeem us back to Yahweh.

SIMEON: There you go again with that Messiah talk. Benjamin, search your heart, you know there’s no Messiah coming to deliver us, there isn’t an anointed one to restore us. We are on our own. I gave up on the Messiah dream a long time ago and so should you.

And this ridiculous census is just another example of how powerless we are. It’s stupid that we have to go to Bethlehem. Why can’t Rome count us in the towns and villages we live in? It’s just wrong that we travel at our expense to register for increased taxes.

BENJAMIN: I wish you wouldn’t talk like that, it’s discouraging and faithless. Have you given up on God? Is your heart of stone? If Abraham were here would you still speak these blasphemous words? I saw you last week in synagogue so I know you heard the rabbi read from Isaiah, did you pay attention?

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

And then…

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 

Simeon, the Lord’s anointed is coming, and not in the distant future but in a matter of weeks or maybe even days!

SIMEON: How can you talk like this? You are not a prophet or the son of a prophet. You can’t possibly know about the coming Messiah, as if there was anything to know.

BENJAMIN: I’ll tell you, for what I know is exciting and full of living hope. The virgin is with child and will soon deliver a son, and will name him Yeshua, our God saves! My friend, lift up your face to the Lord for he is coming to be with us!”

SIMEON: How do you know this? How can you be so certain?

BENJAMIN: I know because I know the girl, she and her family are our neighbors in Nazareth. Have you not heard about this in Tiberius? Is your city so full of Romans that the good news hasn’t reached your ears? Gabriel appeared to her and foretold these things. Her baby is of the Holy Spirit, he is the anointed of God, the Son of David. And it could happen even while we are in Bethlehem, for they are going there to register.

SIMEON: In Bethlehem? Now you are just talking nonsense.

BENJAMIN: No I’m not. Do you remember Micah, the Rabbi also read:

“But you, Bethlehem, though small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come one    who will rule over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times.” 

I have seen Mary, I have spoken with her and with Jospeh, and if you could talk to them you would believe as I do. My brother, the coming of the Lord is happening. He will soon arrive and his birth will be a most merry event for us all, and for all the world.

Be of good cheer, and restore your heart in the Lord, for soon, he is coming near.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

My Favorite Aunt

NOTE-this narrative is from scripture and imagined by fiction. It’s the Christmas story as told by those closest to the event. Please read accordingly. Thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Six

It didn’t surprise me, not really, when my husband told me about Gabriel’s message of our having a son. It didn’t come as a surprise because I never stopped believing that God would answer our prayers.

Gabriel, a divine messenger speaking to Zechariah

THIS SURPRISED ME

What did surprise me was that six months later my niece was also with child, except she wasn’t advanced in years like me, but young and in the prime of youth.

She came to visit at our home in Ein Karem, in the foothills of western Jerusalem. The moment she walked in something amazing happened, in fact, so amazing that it was recorded in the text of scripture:

When I heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in my womb, and I was filled with the Holy Spirit and in a loud voice I exclaimed,

Mary, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

And Mary replied,

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is his name.”

Mary stayed for three months but went home when it was time for my son to be born. But during those months we spoke of everything and I marveled at all of it.

My sweet, young niece, would give birth to the Messiah.

NOBODY BELIEVED

Mary is brave and has a strength beyond her years. But in quiet moments, far removed from Nazareth, she spoke of the accusations and disapproving looks of the people. She was sad about Joseph terminating their betrothal, believing that she had given herself to another. She wept for the shame in her Fathers’s voice and the tears on her Mother’s face.

I knew, of course, that later Gabriel appeared to Joseph to explain everything. But until he did, nobody believed her: not her fiancé, her family, her Rabbi, or the people of Nazareth. Nobody believed.

EXCEPT ME

I believed her because I believed in the divine messenger’s message. I believed that Mary’s baby would one day deliver us all. I soothed her troubled mind, gave her warm reassurance and provided all the comfort I could.

We took care of each other. We were two women, one old and one young and both in their first experience at giving birth. One of us carried Yeshua, God’s only son, and the other Yohhanan, God’s greatest prophet. Both would be births of glad tidings, but one would be especially merry!

Together, each in their way, they would bring salvation to the world.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

A Confused & Concerned Rabbi

NOTE-this series is a narrative from both scripture and fiction. It’s the Christmas story as told by those closest to the event. Please read accordingly. Thank you.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Five

I am Rabbi Judah Ben Moyce, but the villagers call me Rabbi Morty, short for Mordecai, my father, who served Nazareth as Rabbi for over fifty years, as did his father.

MY CONCERN

Our village is normally a place of peace and tranquility. But lately there has been much concern about a young woman who is expecting a baby. That’s normally a reason to celebrate and a blessing for the village. But she isn’t married, at least not by me.

I am concerned and a Rabbi shouldn’t be concerned about such things.

MY CONFUSION

Even more troubling is that she claims to still be a virgin, and that her baby comes from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps most upsetting is her claim that her son will be the Messiah. How she knows she will have a son is beyond me.

Saying such things is shameful and the whole village is in an uproar.

Her explanation is that the angel Gabriel told her these things. Well, she is certainly pregnant, we can all plainly see it. Personally, in all my years as Rabbi I have never heard such blasphemy.  Consider this:

• The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, not Nazareth.
• When he comes he will overthrow our enemies.
• He will be anointed with the Spirit of God.
• He will proclaim freedom for prisoners and preach good news to the poor.
• The Messiah will sit on the throne of David and reign over the kingdom.

This thirteen year old girl, whom we’ve known since she was born, couldn’t possibly bring the Messiah into the world. And Joseph, although a good man, is nothing more than a carpenter’s apprentice. The King of Kings who will lift up a banner to the nations just couldn’t come from these people. They are too common, too ordinary, there’s not anything special about them. It’s more than implausible, it’s impossible.

I’m confused and a Rabbi shouldn’t be confused.

They don’t appear to be royalty. That doesn’t appear to be a royal palace. It’s not really close to anything resembling the divine or the miraculous. It can’t be. 

MY BELIEF

I have always believed that when the Son of David comes he will come in royalty, with gifts befitting a King. That the cherubim and seraphim will appear to praise and glorify the Lord and to announce the birth of our Emanuel. That great signs will appear and emissaries from the nations will come to worship him. That the birth of Christ will be a merry event and celebrated around the world.

But no, not this girl, not this village, I’m just not seeing it. 

 

 

 

A Gracious Grandmother

NOTE-this December series is a narrative from scripture and from fiction. It’s the story of Christmas as told by those who were closest to the event. Please read accordingly, thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Four

We have lived on this land for hundreds of years, well, I mean we and our ancestors. It’s our home and the only place I’ve ever known, the only place I’ve ever wanted to be. And why would I ever want to leave? What could possibly move me from the birthplace of my mother and grandmother and her grandmother? The answer is nothing at all.

Rueben and I have eight children, five sons and three precious jewels for daughters, may the Lord be praised. My second is Miriam, or Mary, as her name is known outside of our culture. King Solomon said that foolishness is fixed in the heart of a child, and by long experience we know his words are true.

Well, Except for Mary

She has been a wonderful child, beautiful of heart, lovely of soul, and sweet of spirit and no daughter has ever been more loving. Her constant devotion has been to give praise to the Lord and to bring honor to her dad.

When she turned seven we pledged her to Joseph, the youngest son of our village carpenter and mason. We believed it a good match, that he would become as his father, a Godly and righteous man. It was our joy to watch them grow up and were confident that they would do well in the eyes of the lord. .

Well, Except for Mary

Try to imagine our devastation when she told us she that was with child. We wept and grieved, for it couldn’t be, it was unacceptable and inexcusable. She offered an explanation but we didn’t believe her, it was just too much to believe.

She promised us that she and Joseph had not been together, which Joseph also affirmed, which for him meant that she had been with another. He was torn apart and quickly pursued dissolving the pledge. How could she do this to him? We kept thinking…

“A daughter doesn’t immerse her family in shame by violating her virtue.”

But then, something happened, Joseph changed his mind. He told us an angel had appeared to him and said that Mary ‘s pregnancy was of the Holy Spirit, and that her virtue was intact. He spoke with faith’s conviction and his eyes were full of truth. We believed him. And I marveled at my daughter for no one could have coped with the accusations, public shame, and personal devastation, not a girl anywhere.

Well, Except for Mary

It was then our families gathered and joyously listened as they shared their angel stories, and told them over and over. It was beautiful. My daughter’s son, my grandson, will be called the Son of the Most High and will inherit King David’s throne and reign over the kingdom of God. May the birth of the Christ child be merry!

He is to be the Messiah, the Lord’s Anointed, and will bring good news to the poor and bind the broken hearted.

My grandson will be Yeshua, the salvation of God, and I will hold him in my arms.

So, I prayed and vowed that I would protect and care for my daughter and grandson in every way possible. God didn’t choose me to be the Messiah’s mother, he chose my daughter, and so, like my Heavenly Father, I have chosen her too.

I will love as no mother, or grandmother, has ever loved.

May the Lord grant me the strength of Samson, the wisdom of Solomon, and the fortitude of Deborah, the Judge of Israel, for I pledge my life to the two people whom all evil will set its might against.

I am Abarrane, mother of Mary and grandmother to Yeshua.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

It’s Time For Me to Go

NOTE-this December series is a narrative from scripture and from fiction. It’s the story of Christmas as told by those who were closest to the event. Please read accordingly, thanks.

The Voices of Christmas

Part Three

You haven’t known me but I’ve known you for everything was put into being by me. I am God. You will say, “Wait, we do you know you,” but no, you haven’t, not really.

A sacrifice was essential, and it was agreed that it would be me. This meant I would:

• let go of my equality as God
• renounce divinity and sovereignty
• leave the throne of glory
• become a man born from a woman
• be obedient even to death on a cross

You have called me Lord, Sovereign and King, and those are right and true. But soon  the name you will connect with the most is:

Jesus of Nazareth

You will come to know me as Emanuel, Messiah, the Son of God

   God will become something less to achieve something more. I know it borders on the bizarre, but you are the final act in the act of creation and your needs are immense, seemingly impossible. But what is impossible with man is possible with God.

Humanity’s salvation will not be achieved by God in heaven, but by man on earth.

The plan made before man walked the earth was for me to come to you. This will be done so that you can know how much you are loved. It’s impossible for you to repair your own spiritual condition, and your condition is that you have separated yourselves from us and have no way back.

So, rather than leave you detached and distant, your God is coming near.

   The angels have praised and glorified my name. The great and fearsome cherubim and seraphim have declared my excellence. With a final divine thought I empty myself of all that makes me deity, it’s been set aside to be reclaimed on the day I return.

In one of your “blinks of an eye,” the Holy Spirit will place me in the womb of young woman in Nazareth, in Galilee. She is a virgin whom we favor for she is remarkable, full of faith and obedience. She has a heart as pure as the snows of Mt. Herman. Soon she will be my mother.

My birth will fulfill prophecies, be announced by angels and witnessed by herdsmen. It will be good news for all the people and accompanied by miraculous signs, for my birth will be miraculous.

Now, if you will excuse me, it is time for me go. In a moment of splendorous majesty, God the Father and God the Spirit have anointed me, and I have been sent.

Take heart and do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is coming to you and my coming will be joyous and most merry!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!