Tuesday with Jesus #13

Let's see ...

December 23rd, hmmmm ...

or let's just say 2 days before his birth ...

so, spending this Tuesday with Jesus as he is about to enter the world as a completely helpless and defenseless baby ...

what goes through a babe's mind at that time -- maybe nothing -- I surely don't remember

but what would you say to such a one as would be your savior --- as the two people who actually were that this penultimate day before birth --

what did Mary think about this child conceived of the Holy Spirit because she found favor with God -- but the whole town knew she hadn't been married when she got pregnant -- an unwed teenage mother -- the town gossips were busy

what did Joseph think as he approached Bethlehem ad looked for a place to stay that would give his wife and the child he was told about a safe place to be born -- a child he was told would "save his people from their sins" -- he married her anyway -- now the town gossiped about him, too

now ... in the days before he is born, his family must get ready for birth shrouded in shame, happening in homelessness, about to be visited by fear, violence, and flight ... a birth that will change their lives forever

and this Jesus, to be born in a day or two, helpless and defenseless but loved ... will grow up to die helpless and defenseless on an execution stake -- abandoned by almost everyone, defended by a thief being executed with him, ...

trusting God completely -- at both ends of his life