The air was crisp
and fresh on a cold and starry night.
Just outside a
stable door stood an angel clothed in a dress of
white.
She had been sent
by God Himself to midwife the birth of His
Son.
She had nervously
awaited this very moment, now it had
begun.
She recalled how
she had pleaded with God, asking Him to choose
another.
Of all women for
her first assignment in childbirth, His Son's
mother!
His decision did
not waver, even as she protested that she was brand
new.
He had told her
matter-of-factly that this would be Mary's first time
too.
She heard a soft
moan, and she knew that now was the time.
She entered the
stable, bracing herself to deliver the little Lord,
Divine.
Her eyes fell upon
the young Mary, and the obvious pain that she
felt.
Her earlier qualms
abandoned her as she felt her heart melt.
She rushed to
Mary's side and placed a palm upon her
brow.
She whispered,
"Just relax, dear Mary, I am here now."
Neither Mary nor
Joseph could see the angel, but they could feel her
there.
The stable animals
accepted her presence, as a calm fell over the
air.
She grasped Mary's
hand during the following trying hours of the
night.
She whispered
silent encouragement as Mary gave it all her
might.
Then she saw tears
forming in Joseph's eyes as the end drew
near.
He told Mary,
"Keep trying, darling, He is almost here."
The angel gently
touched the crown of Heaven on His tiny
head.
She urged, "Come
now, little Jesus," while wiping at the tears she
shed.
A hush fell over
Heaven as Joseph carefully cradled the newborn
King.
Then, with the
first sweet sounds of the baby's cry, it broke into
rejoicing.
The angel embraced
the memories leading to this moment, every single
one.
She closed her
eyes, thanking God for choosing her to deliver His
Son.
She whispered to
baby Jesus, "I must leave now, Heaven
waits."
Then she kissed
Him softly before returning to the Pearly
Gates.
~ Tammy Leigh
Maxey
From the
Portraits of the Heart collection
Copyright
2003
www.windowsofgraceonline.com
