Category Archives: Christmas

Baby Jesus and My Dog, Angel

Beliefs and Speculations

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he came to earth to save it. He was born of a virgin in humble circumstances. That’s the most important thing in this post.

Now the speculations…

It is interesting when people present theories concerning the Savior’s birth and early childhood. Like—were there actually “three” wise men? Was Jesus really born in a stable?  Was it a cave? Maybe it was a barn. A more reasonable or scholarly interpretation is that Mary and Joseph stayed at crowded relative’s house in a left over room. Were there animals around? Perhaps. But I don’t know.

File:Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale - The Nativity.jpg

Was Jesus actually born in a place with animals?

The Bible does say Jesus was born in a manger, and so I definitely believe that.

But could animals have truly been nearby? The animal concept has got to me this year.  My best friend, my dog Angel, passed away in November. This day—Christmas Eve day—twelve years ago, my family and I got baby Angel. She was the best Christmas present ever.

baby-angel

Christmas Eve Day ’04 in front of Save Mart.

This season I was introduced to a sweet song.–Alison Krauss and Alan Jackson’s “When the Angels Cried.” The most memorable lyrics: “And the creatures gathered round and didn’t make a sound. And the angels cried.” Now, I don’t know if the animals were hovering over a newborn (don’t want to scare him for life!), but I know what Angel would have done had she been close enough to see Jesus. She would get as close as she could. A certain story relating to Angel and babies sticks out in my mind.

Angel and Baby

One of my favorite memories of Angel occurred this last summer. Just in the backyard. I had a blanket on the lawn and was enjoying my relaxation under the shade. The dogs had already greeted me when I came out and then went to different areas of the yard. That all changed, though, when my brother came outside carrying his baby girl.

He sat down on the blanket with the baby on his lap. Just in a matter of seconds, I noticed Angel, who was chilling on the patio, get up immediately when she saw the little one. Her eyes seemed to say, “Baby!” She rushed over to see the baby and beat the younger dog. Both gave kisses. Angel then rested on an empty spot on the blanket. My mom came outside and sat by Angel. It was a tender moment and one of the best breaks for a keep going summer.

Really, I can’t convey the peace and enjoyment when I saw the two dogs racing to see a baby.

So now I don’t want to jump to any conclusions, but Mary and Joseph had to have some contact with animals sometime in Bethlehem, and I bet the animals were as in awe of the newborn as the shepherds and angels! (And remember I once asked—who said that an angel has to be a human?)

It might sound so ridiculous, but I know had Angel been an animal who saw the baby Jesus, she would have passed up humans and animals alike to see Him

It feels weird without my Angel this Christmas season. She’s never far from my mind.

cimg5024-palsShe feels really close as I look at babies and see paintings of the manger scenes.

Images:
The Nativity by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale
Photographs courtesy of Douglas Patten

An Angel’s Account of the Behind the Scenes of the Largest Nativity

Have you seen the Christmas music video about the largest Nativity? It’s officially called “Over A Thousand People Came Together to Break a Record And Bring This Moving Christmas Hymn to Life.” If you haven’t, you will. If not now, then I want you to click on it later in this post!

The following account was mostly written last year–2014–shortly after the nativity video came out.  This gives a different point of view than the other behind the scenes videos and accounts….

Diary Notes

My last journal words for the month of November:

I signed up to be part of the largest nativity ever (hopefully). I followed links on Facebook ward page that led to the event.

It’s tomorrow!

The very beginning of the next day’s entry:
My fingers are beginning to unthaw.

A New Friend

I thought I dressed warm enough for the day of filming. I mean I had two layers of socks and jeans under my white skirt. I just had a thin shirt underneath the white sweater I had worn backwards to hide the buttons.

Check-in was at two. I was nervous I wasn’t going to get a good parking spot so I went early to one of the designated parking areas—the parking lot of the temple. I drove there before one o’clock to make sure I didn’t run into any traffic. I didn’t.

There were cars parked there but very few which belonged to the grounds workers. I kept thinking, Just give it more time, and you’ll have families to follow.

I hoped and prayed for angels.

Sometime after a prayer, a car pulled up a few spaces over. The driver was wearing white and had her hair curled. I hoped for the best. After a while, I just had to get out of the car. I had to get to Rock Canyon Park. I had to know if the other person dressed in white was going to the same place. I couldn’t be shy.

I walked over and said, “Um, excuse me…”

The driver opened the door. She was wearing an angel costume! What a relief. We set out to Rock Canyon Park.

As my new friend, Haley, and I walked across some road work, I found out she was from a few towns over and decided today to be a part of the nativity. “I knew about it weeks ago but decided I was going to do it today. I went to Wal-Mart this morning to put together my costume. I took off work.”

We found the park, and a lot of cars were parked curbside. There was some confusion on where to sign in and where to wait.

We were told we could wait on the grass by one of the white tents. I saw a few people come out with the “bell costume.” Basically a white bell shape screen that could go over your head. I couldn’t be a bell angel. I had signed up too late.

with hayley 2014

Me and Haley shortly after checking in at the park. My prayers of finding an angel to follow were answered.

The Little White Tent We Saw In the Distance

Most people were there with their families.

Grass shot 2014

This was one of the first views after I checked in. Here are  tents and angels lounging on the grass.The VIP tent was much farther away .

I wasn’t too worried about grass stains, but Haley and I thought it would be best if we sat in some of the chairs further down the field. We wondered what the red balloon was and why some people were taking pictures with a guy who had a camera. “I think he’s a famous YouTuber,” said Haley. We saw the archway where we knew the main cast of the nativity would pose. We saw the hill we would be standing on.

The guys who handed us our orange wristbands said something about singing with Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

We had our eyes on the little tent. We were given a list of prominent people who would be participating. Haley had to explain more on who some of their identities. It was cool sitting in the chairs because we also saw people coming out of a distant little tent near the parking lot.

A woman came out wearing a silvery white robe and some kids came out. People kept going in and out. Haley and I speculated who they could be.

People related to the Piano Guys? Was Studio C going to provide entertainment while we waited? When was David Archuleta going to appear?

“Oh! Oh! Is that Peter Hollens?” Some people dressed as shepherds and Wise Men were appearing.

“Um, who?” I felt a little out of the loop. Haley was obviously a die-hard fan of the singer.

We talked about the other celebs that were on the list. Some were more familiar.

I wasn’t too sure who the some people were except Alex Boye. We spotted him as a Wise Man dressed in orange the instant he walked out of the tent.

Calling All Angels

More and more people were coming. A family in front of us were talking about getting together their costumes together that day.

Then came directions. “Angels with a purple wristband, please report to…” “Angels who have an orange wristband with words written on it, go…”

I turned to Haley. “Is that us?”

“No, we don’t have writing on ours.”

Then I heard, “All angels, go…”

It was time to take the group shot.

I think I took this pic on the way to the group shot.  In a few hours, the animals would freak out at the sounds of the helicopters. and booming music.

I think I took this pic on the way to the group shot. In a few hours, the animals would freak out at the sounds of the helicopters and booming music.

We got in line with the rest of the angels to go up to another slope. But as we went through the portable orange fence, we were each given a green and white wristband.

Haley and I got in the middle. Everyone had to scoot in. We could see some of the people below. The main cast of the nativity. I knew they were down there because of the Wise Men’s bright wardrobe. Some officials and cameras were there too.

Angels were taking cell phone pictures and talking about YouTube videos. It was exciting, but I felt sorry for the bell angels who were trying to protect their 3D costumes.

“We broke the record, right?” I asked.

Haley nodded. “I’m sure we did.”

But how would it go on record?

That was answered when we heard there was an official guy to witness the event. I heard the first part about Britain and over 800 angels. “And today…” He started to speak slower and the angels got louder. Cheers caused me to assume we broke it.

with a shepherd 2015

After taking the group picture, we angels managed to come down the steep hill and take some pix with the main cast.

I’m not sure how we managed to get down the hill, but we did and managed to take some pictures with some cast members. One asked, “Aren’t you cold?” I wasn’t till he asked.

lots trying to take pic

The sun was going down quickly, and it was getting colder fast! We needed to rush to the other hill, which was the filming location.

Haley and I left toward the other hill after she got an individual shot with  Peter Hollens.

It was getting colder.

Angel Praises

We were ushered to the  hill.  A guy with a megaphone announced the arranger of the the version of “Angel We Have Had Heard on High” He started teaching us the additional verse we would sing along with the recording.

He’d say lines, we would repeat. “Now say it to your neighbor!”

Everyone seemed to be catching on except me. I was mesmerized by the track. The Piano Guys, Mormon Tabernacle Choir. David Archuleta. That’s a winning combo.

But I still didn’t know the words. I didn’t know the words were available online before that. I tried to recite what I knew to Haley but couldn’t remember.

“We have the words!”

A mother and her daughter, Emily, had the lyrics printed out. It was getting darker but we could make out the words well enough. If there was the rare chance the cameramen got us on tape, I feared I wouldn’t know the words. Plus, memorizing the words gave us something to think about besides the chillier temperature. Perhaps that was the plan the directors had in mind.

When the angels got a break to go to the tents to get warm, most of them gladly rushed to the tents. I could hardly move. So, Haley, Emily, and I practiced. In fact, the first Deseret News article about the event captured the moment with the three of us practicing on the empty hill in one of the many photographs. (Ours was fuzzy.)

We soon thought it best to get to go to a tent since the break was going to be longer than I initially thought. I had adjusted my skirt a certain way where I could have access to my jean pockets. I had the mini fake candle production gave us in one and my phone in the other but still was nervous my phone was going to slip out.

Wising Up

The tent was a little warmer. Our spirits lifted by the sight of donuts, muffins, cocoa, and apple cider. The apple cider was room temperature but the maple donut was delicious. Haley and I rushed to finish our food when we heard the angels needed to go back.

Oh. They needed the bell angels.

We went by a mother and her daughters who were by a heater. We took turns to be by the warmer spots. We went over the lyrics. I panicked each time a guy in a vest announced it was time for the angels to go back to the hill. Once again, it was the bell angels.

But a lady came up to me and Haley and asked if we went to the VIP tent.

“It’s warmer. Lots of people are taking pictures with Alex Boye.”

Haley and I ran to the little white tent. There was a photographer taking pictures of people against a lighted backdrop with words: ShareTheGift and Radiant.

In the VIP tent--or another chance to meet some stars. Plus, #ShareTheGift.

In the VIP tent–or another chance to meet some stars. Plus, #ShareTheGift.

There was a table with handouts that said “Share the Gift. I will share the gift by…” Alex Boye and another cast member were taking pictures with people. I noticed their picture was done. “I want to take a picture with a Wise Man,”  I said.

I held up my Share the Gift paper for the photographer and then rushed to Alex Boye who was filling out how he was going to share the gift. He said, “I will share the gift by sharing…wisdom. Get it?”

With Alex Boye!  He was super nice and added cheer.

With Alex Boye! He was super nice and added cheer.

Haley and I took individual  phone pix with him. He was even more fun than he was in his videos.

Someone announced, “They need all angels now!” We got out of the tent, and the hill was covered with angels again. I think they started to play the music, and we ran to what we assumed was our spot before.

An Angel’s Eye View

We took out our candles. I made the mistake of taking out my cell phone. David Archuleta’s voice rang out and that meant the cameras were rolling. I couldn’t find my pockets fast enough so trusted the phone would be safe enough resting on the wrinkles near the pocket.

There was a lot of stopping and starting for aerial shots, close-ups. Haley and I got close to one (but didn’t make it in the video) The camel and donkey looked like they were having a hard time—especially with the loud sounds! A shepherd (who I’m now pretty sure was Jeremy from Studio C) had to chase the donkey a couple times, but they were all gentle with the animals. I was impressed by that—and the bell angels.

The bell angels were in some sort of order and had to turn their light switch on at a certain time. (The bell angels are the lights you see moving that form the nativity profile at the end of the video.) The switch lit up the bottom of their costumes blue.  “Let’s do it again,” said the booming voice. Wow. How did they manage to turn on a switch? And multiple times! My fingers were becoming more frozen. The bell angels kept at it. They came on at a certain time and had to time when their blue lights went off.

When the ground people (this time I mean the bell angels and the nativity cast) were getting directions, I was trying to get my phone back in my pocket.  I was able to open up my pocket with enough space for my phone. My phone got near the pocket but my hands couldn’t cope together. My fingers were wrapped around the phone but wouldn’t budge. I tried not to give up but so it was painful, and I just put it on some denim wrinkles again.

I’ll have to say the night was tough. My thoughts then: “But this is going to be a good story. We’re going to be so glad.”

The arranger of the video and other megaphoned voices were also encouraging. “You guys are doing great!” People with children were allowed to leave. If you could stay, it would be nice. Haley and I kept saying we were going to stay the whole time. And we did. We went to the trouble of finding white clothes and coming here, so we would take the trouble to stay till it was done.

My feet were hurting, and my boots were getting uncomfortable. It felt a little better when we walked down the hill ever so slowly. The main cast were clearing out. But some stayed. Between shots, an announcer said, “Alex Boye has agreed to stay a half hour after and take pictures with any of you guys who want to.” The directors kept on saying encouraging comments like “You’re doing awesome!”

The best motivation, though, was when one director said, “Think how this video will bring people closer to Christ.”

Going Home

It was a little past ten when we were dismissed. Some of the directing crew told us we all did a good job and to look for the video on December 12th on YouTube. We got to keep our candle but I used my phone walking back to the parking lot. Haley and I actually found our way back pretty easily, but what if I hadn’t had anyone to walk back with? It was late.

We had expected the lot to be fuller but it wasn’t—which meant it was easier to drive out. It was yet another tender mercy for me. I had quite a few angels looking out for me.

I got home, and maybe two hours later checked if we got in the news. We did! I texted Haley about our blurry shot, and she confirmed it was us.

I will never forget the experience. I was definitely brought closer to Christ that freezing night. As I shivered, I had considered what I would have done the night of His birth. Maybe this was a way of showing I would have rushed to see the baby in the stable. I’d like to think I actually participated when the host of angels appeared to the shepherds.

P.S.  When I saw my candle the next day, it was still on! It was a reminder to share the gift. Share how much the Savior means to me. Do what he would do and let my light shine.

Going Viral

I was still waking up when I checked my email on Friday. I perked up when I got an alert saying the video was up!

I clicked on the link. Huh. Just a little over 300 views.

That didn’t last long. What I thought was more impressive than the video was how it was coming up on Facebook. I even got emails from family asking if I saw the video yet.

As I’m writing this—less than four days later—the numbers are going up. I think we’re almost at 900,000 now. (Update on December 13, 2015-over 9 million nearing 10!) 

But the thing that matters most is the feeling. As I watch it, I get excited about the additional verse and the music buildup and then the outside nativity appears. As I watch and recall standing in the cold, I do get a warm feeling. Something tells me This actually happened. People traveled far to see the child who would save them. Thousands and thousands more—or maybe trillions more—were probably singing the night of Christ’s birth. I hope I was among them.christmas-graphics-plus-free-christmas-clip-art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

Images and Videos:
Video is inserted at the end of this post. The featured photo is a screen shot of the video that features some blurry angels. I doubt I’m in that blur, but hey, I was somewhere else in white.

All other images taken by Sarah Patten.

All Grandma Wanted For Christmas Was…

All Grandma Wanted For Christmas Was…

Christmas of ’76 was memorable for my dad and his family.

Just a few days before that Christmas, my grandpa wrote:

 December 22, 1976 – Geraldine had the operation in the St. John’s Hospital. All went well. We all visited her except John – under 14 not admitted to the hospital…

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My dad tells it to me:

Grandma had to have some surgery, and elected to do it during the holidays because she felt that she would get better service – on account of so many patients wanting to be out of the hospital for Christmas. Gerald and Cathy felt the children should all band together and pay for the operation.  I was going to optometry school at that time and didn’t have a penny to my name.  My 3 youngest siblings were likewise poor. 

So Gerald and Cathy, and also Yvonne and Bill, contributed the lion share of the bill.  They paid it ahead of when Grandpa went down to see how much he owed for the operation and hospital care. 

 I wondered what I could do to help my mom? I hoped that there might be something that I could do for her, as I loved her as much as anyone else. I went up to see her and to try and figure out what that special something could be that I could give. I said to Grandma, “Mom—What would you really like for Christmas?”

 Grandma astonished me with her answer.

” I want to see your little brother”.

ANother group chart (2)

 That might be impossible. My little brother, John, was not old enough (according to the posted signs) to enter the hospital.  The hospital was guarded on the front steps by an armed guard. Gun at his side.

 As I prayed and pondered I remembered the time a few years before when I had dressed up like Santa when the youth of our ward went Christmas caroling. I thought, I could do that again and maybe – just maybe – I could get John in, if he was dressed up like an elf.

 I asked my sisters, Beth and Joyce,if they could help me with John’s costume. I would need green tights and green everything for John. They assured me that they could furnish the costume. I asked John if he was willing to go along with the idea, explaining that there was a chance that it might not work and that we could be severely reprimanded by the guard or hospital authorities. John said he was willing to give it a try.

So John and I got all dressed up – I as Santa Claus and John as an elf. We went up to the hospital entrance. The guard spotted us coming.

 “Well, what have we here? Santa and his helper! Right this way!”

 It was hard to get up to Grandma’s room. When I dressed up like Santa before, I just ran around with the other youth in the ward singing Christmas carols. People seemed to think it was cute that Santa was along. I had not anticipated this time that so many patients would want to say hi to Santa or to tell him that they had been good.  It was a treat for Santa to be where they were in the hospital.

santa19

Eventually our family – including John and I in costume -made our way up to Grandma’s room. Grandma seemed to be resigned to her circumstances, and comforted by the fact that she was indeed getting find treatment. You should have seen the look on her face when she saw us, and spotted John – she was overjoyed! We had a nice visit that day. 

“You brought me the best thing ever!”    

John and I walked away with a feeling that I will never forget.

 To this day that is one of my most memorable Christmases.

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 My Grandpa’s Diary Entry for that Christmas:

December 25, 1976.

All gathered around the Christmas tree at 8:00 am, except Geraldine who was still in St. John’s Hospital. We all opened the presents. We had a wonderful Christmas time.

Cathy Lynn prepared the Christmas dinner. It was truly a banquet. We had lots of leftovers.

At 2 pm we all went to the hospital to see Geraldine. Douglas dressed as Santa in the Ward’s Santa Claus suit, and John was made up as an Elf. We put all her presents in Santa’s bag- she was really surprised to see us. We spent about an hour at the hospital. On the way out of the hospital Douglas and John made several stops to see children both young and old to wish them a Merry Christmas.

 We all felt at the end of the day it had been the best Christmas we had ever had, even though Gerri was in the hospital. We begin to see that even during trying times we are able to have very choice experiences and good times. The Lord truly has been good to us. He has blessed us in so very many ways. But best of all he has blessed us with each other.

A better family I could not be part of, they are really great.

family pic 74

Wise Men, Wise Women

“They saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him.”

We know wise women who are as dedicated and faithful as the Wise Men who followed a star to find Jesus.  I love the phrase. “Wise men still seek them.” I include women in that statement too.

We’ve  seen whom I consider the “wise women of Christmas.” Mary, Elisabeth, and Anna. And the other figures in the nativity that  included women. We’ve seen wise women in our lives.

I love this passage from Beverly Cleary’s Romana and Her Father:

*Romana was puzzled. “I thought they were supposed to be wise men,” she said.

“The boys backed out at the last minute,” explained the girl with the blackest eyebrows. “Mrs. Russo said women can be wise too, so tonight we are the Three Wise Persons.”

The idea seemed like a good one to Ramona. *

And it’s a  good idea to me.

How can we seek Him? We can turn to others and learn of Him through the scripture. Ask ourselves: “What would Jesus do?” Thoughts?

“When they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

We can’t offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. So what can we offer?

What the Lord requires of us is to love one another.

I recommend the two clips below. One is the popular “Share the Gift” and the other is called “Wise Men Still Seek Him.”

 

References:
Matthew 2
Romana and Her Father by Beverly Clearly

Anna, the Prophetess

Anna the Prophetess

Who?

She lost her husband when she was young. She had been married for less than ten years. When we meet Anna in the second chapter of Luke, she’s an elderly widow of many years.How did she go on with life? But she did her best and served at the temple. She and another person 720px-Rembrandt_Harmensz._van_Rijn_056 (2)named Simeon recognized that the baby Mary and Joseph brought to the temple was Jesus. The baby would someday be the Savior of mankind.

 

I first learned about Anna when my mom was playing a new Christmas song at the piano. She was putting music to a poem written by our friend, Sally Wise.

Sally writes of Anna:

She came to the temple,
Anna the faithful.
She was old and wise, she fasted and she prayed.
When she beheld the baby, her heart was filled with joy.
She gave thanks and spoke of Him, Savior to all men.
She knew, she knew, she knew her Savior.

The Substance of Hope copyright of Elsbeth YoungAnna is a significant person in the Christmas story because she is another witness that Jesus had indeed been born. We need to pay attention to her.

She had gone through a lot while remaining faithful to the Lord. She knew the real meaning of “good tidings of great joy” and peace, and we can as well.  We probably all know Annas who endure while seeing the good in life.

Sally ends her poem by showing how we can be like Anna and Simeon:

At this Christmas season,
I will remember
The birth of Christ our Savior, the babe of Bethlehem.
As I read the scriptures I can feel His warmth.
And I know He lives today, Savior to all men.
I know, I know, I know my Savior.

References:
Luke 2
“They Came to the Temple” by Sally Wise
Images:
Featured and second image in post: The Substance of Hope found on alyoung.com. Copyright by Elsbeth Young.  All Rights Reserved.  Courtesy of Al Young Studios.
Simeon in the Temple by Rembrandt

Angels and Shepherds Sharing the News

The night started like any other night. It was business as usual. Watching their flocks.Whatever was on the shepherds’ minds, nothing couldn’t fully prepare for them for an angelshepherds-see-new-star-39535-gallery (1)
and how “the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” Of course they got scared.
And of course the angel had to speak the same words he spoke to everyone in this story.

“Fear not.”

Since it’s repeated so many times, it’s worth thinking about. Especially in the case of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The angel declared:

 “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

This news was exciting! After the angel said, “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger,” the angel was joined by a heavenly host of angels, who also stressed how important we should not fear, but rejoice that the Son of God had come to earth!

Illustrations_from_Alden's_Prince_of_Peace_c._1890_0003

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

I imagine there were many angels–maybe more than 1000. I wished I had witnessed that night with the shepherds, but I got a peek when I was among the 1000 angels in this video–

The shepherds dropped what they were doing and “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

Gerard_van_Honthorst_001

I’m sure there was a sense of peace and reverence  in the stable. After the shepherds witnessed the  miracle, they told others the good news. Perhaps the shepherds rushed into the town of Bethlehem, and maybe an innkeeper or two heard it. Everyone who did, were in awe at the shepherds’ message.

Even after sharing what they had seen in the stable, they were still “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”

It seems like the shepherds never forgot that piercing night. It’s a night we should remember too.

Coming soon: an account of being an angel, more nativity figures, and a Christmas story that captures the spirit of Christmas.

 

References:
Luke 2

Images:
“Annunciation to the Shepherds” by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp
The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, by Del Parson from lds.com
Illustration from Alden’sbook  Prince of Peace
Savior of the World rehearsal lds.com
“The adoration of Shepherds” byGerard van Honthorst

Each of Us Is An Innkeeper

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” ~Luke 2:7

Traveling with a pregnant women can be scary. Imagine Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Perhaps they traveled in a caravan for some parts of the journey, made quite a few stops, and lagged behind. And when they finally arrived in Bethlehem, it took time to find a place to stay. The inns were full.

robert-barrett-mary-joseph-bethlehem-inn-158495-gallery

Just how significant is the innkeeper in the story?

When the Robertsons put on the Christmas play last year, Jep Robertson insisted it was an “important role…if the innkeeper hadn’t turned them down, you see’d this entire play in a hotel room.”

In all seriousness, though, did the innkeeper regret turning away a pregnant woman ? Did the innkeeper suspect Mary was carrying the King of Kings? Someone told me, “I bet all the innkeepers are kicking themselves  right now.”

Joseph must have been really bargaining. I heard a theory that he might have even helped build the manger. Whatever the case, Mary and Joseph arrived in the stable. Soon Jesus was born, and Mary laid Jesus in a manger.new-era-2010-december-cover-749909-gallery

Jep reflected more about the innkeeper and related the role back to Mary and Joseph. How it must have taken a lot of faith on their part. After all, they didn’t have the internet or phones. Couldn’t make reservations.Though they were turned away from the inn, they found a place to stay. I wonder how they reacted to the prospect of staying in a stable? Yet the birth itself was “good tidings of great joy.” Soon afterwards, the stable would get special visitors who had easier access to a stable rather than an inn. So that was a blessing.

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But how is the innkeeper relevant to us? Elder Neal A. Maxwell pointed out, “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” I’ve been thinking about that statement a lot. What’s your take?

mormonad-make-room-for-the-savior-1118381-gallery

Luke 2
All images from lds.org–Media library : https://www.lds.org/media-library

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Naturally, Mary was surprised by angel Gabriel’s visit.. Even after the angel assured her she was highly favored and she was blessed among women, she was still frightened.

028-028-angel-gabriel-appears-to-mary-full

 

“Fear not,” said the Gabriel, “for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. And he shall be great.” The angel told Mary the many great things Jesus would be. That’s a lot of pressure. Mary asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also the holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”

The angel concluded, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

800px-Gospel_of_Luke_Chapter_1-16_(Bible_Illustrations_by_Sweet_Media)She would need those words. She traveled to her cousin Elisabeth. As previously mentioned, their visit was an uplifting one.

 

And Joseph, her betrothed, would also need to know Mary was pregnant. And she was not carrying his child. She was not married. How would he react?

 Joseph’s Reaction:

nativity-mary-joseph-1102819-galleryIt was a shock when Joseph found out his fiancé was pregnant. What could he do about it?

 

The Bible describes Joseph as a “just man, and not willing to make her [Mary] a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” This meant he didn’t want Mary to face public humiliation. He “desired to release or divorce her secretly.” This also meant Joseph really respected women.

Deep in thought, he had a dream where an angel appeared and said, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”Anton_Raphael_Mengs_-_The_Dream_of_St._Joseph (2)

 

Joseph must have been relieved Mary was faithful to him. But since she was carrying a son that was “to save his people from their sins” that meant Jesus would need to be raised very well. Could you imagine the responsibility Joseph must have felt knowing he was to be the guardian of the Son of God?

But Joseph was up for it. He “did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him.” He married Mary. He was obedient to God’s commandments as well as a law abiding citizen

Because Caesar Augustus decreed his empire should be taxed and the citizens go to the place of the heritage, Joseph needed to go to Bethlehem.

Joseph had to travel to pay taxes and take his pregnant wife, who was carrying a baby-who would be the Savior of the World- safely to Bethlehem. Joseph had a lot on his mind. Perhaps he also had in mind the saying the angel brought to Mary: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Joseph would need both physical and spiritual strength to make the journey.

nativity-travel-bethlehem-958673-gallery (1)

 

 

 

King James Version of Bible
Matthew 1 and footnotes
Luke  1, 2

 

 

All photographs from lds.org–Media library : https://www.lds.org/media-library
and https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/?lang=eng

The Aunnunciation: The Angel Gabriel Appears to Mary  (lds.org)

Mary and Elizabeth-_by_Sweet_Media

“The Dream of St. Joseph” (circa 1770s) by Anton Raphael Mengs.

 

 

 

Elisabeth, Mother of John the Baptist

Elisabeth and her husband, Zacharias, were good people. They were in their golden years and had been faithful to the Lord, and, yet, nothing could fully prepare them for the news from the angel, Gabriel. Zacharias was probably the most shocked.

While doing his priestly duties in the temple, Gabriel appeared to him privately. Understandably, Zacharias was also “troubled.” The angel started out with his usual greeting of “Fear not.” The angel went on.  “For thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son,  and thous shalt call his name John.”

The news was too much for Zacharias. This was impossible. He and his wife were very old. Gabriel called these things “glad tidings” and still Zacharias was in a state of unbelief. Since he was in doubt, Gabriel told him, “Thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.”

One could only imagine Elisabeth’s reaction when her husband came home speechless. Yet, she was grateful and accepting to carry a son who would eventually be known as John the Baptist.

Six months into her pregnancy, Mary visited her. At Mary’s greeting, “when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.”Champaigne_visitation

At the moment, Elisabeth officially knew her cousin would give birth to the Son of God. Elisabeth said, “Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord could come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”

Mary also acknowledged her gratefulness. “My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiceth in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

This is an important part in scriptures seeing women interact and celebrating with each other. It also shows how much God is aware of women.

Mary helped Elisabeth for three more months before going back to her town.

And yes, Zacharias spoke  again at the naming of his son.

 

King James Version of Bible:
Luke Chapters 1 & 2
Photos from https://www.lds.org/bible-videos as well as the scriptural references and videos.
Painting: ” Visitation”, by Philippe de Champaigne