05 jan 2006
Twelve Days Into a Whole New Thing
By Nanci Olesen
January 6. It’s the twelfth day of Christmas.
Mary is exhausted and exhilarated. She has changed, nursed, and
swaddled little Jesus repeatedly. Night and day are blurred for her, and she longs for home and not this drafty stable
and this constant parade of visitors.
She’s had a few words with Joseph, probably on a daily basis, about who’s doing more in terms of baby
care, managing visitors, and keeping the stable tidy. Joseph is tired also and secretly envious of how many people
are adoring Mary and Jesus. He feels distant from the whole scene at times, and he can’t always manage looking
radiant as he takes his turn holding the baby. He’s wandered off a few times into the little town of Bethlehem,
to talk to other men and have a glass of something alcoholic to steady his nerves. It’s been a wild twelve days,
and if you count the trip before that, leading Mary on a donkey and finding the stable and assisting with the birth,
it’s been over a month of mind blowing experiences laced with extreme exhaustion and physical discomfort.
For her part, Mary would so dearly love to have a bath. Last week a couple of women heated water and let her borrow
some of their oils and crude soaps.Joseph stayed with Jesus and she had a good hour long clean up. She wants that
again now. The life in the stable is constantly uncomfortable, but Mary also dreads the long trip back home, especially
with an infant. Learning to breast feed was hard and although she has the hang of it now, it is not without its complexities,
physically and emotionally. Sometimes she just wants her own body back. And then of course there’s the fact
that this infant is like no other. Not only is she a new mom with the deep shock and confusion THAT causes, she is, by many
accounts, the mother of God’s son.
And lo and behold who should show up today but three men from a distant land, who followed a star which actually
guided them right here. Of all the visitors, these are the most exotic and interesting. They are dressed royally and
are bearing strange gifts. They smell spicy and are handsome. They verify again what Mary and Joseph are trying so
hard to gracefully accept: this is the child of God. In their strange language they gently communicate that they are
glad to be here and thrilled to meet this important human being. There’s an hour or so of exhilaration as they
all adore the child. Mary cries, with a sense of wonder and joy. Disbelief is right behind her tears and the weight
of the responsibility is dense in her heart. Joseph rubs her back and shakes his head.
The busy little town of Bethlehem
settles in for the evening and shepherds and villagers wander by, but they don’t come in tonight, because they’re
shy of the three royal men. Mary feels like she would like to be alone now, just with Joseph and the baby. She is
strained by the long visit of these three strange men. She knows they are kind and very excited. She needs to nurse
and she
needs so badly to sleep. So many visitors for so many days and nights. Joseph suggests that the men find a place to
stay for the evening, indicating that there’s not really room in the stable. The men finally pick up on the
cue, feeling their own hunger, and promise to return as soon as morning arrives. Mary smiles, perhaps a bit thinly,
and the men head into the town for the night. Joseph follows, to help interpret and perhaps ease the tension which
most certainly will ensue from the sight of these foreigners.
Mary smoothes out the blankets on the hay and adds kindling
to the little fire. She changes and reswaddles baby Jesus and snuggles him down on her little nest. And there they
are, Mary, and the twelve day old Jesus, asleep on the hay.
—Nanci Olesen
producer and host, MOMbo: 1990-2007 |
