Anne’s Angel Came Twice

Mary looked at her tiny son with a mother’s love and, like all mothers the world over, she saw the most beautiful baby ever born. He had big soft brown eyes that were gazing straight at her. His fluff of dark hair looked a bit like a halo in the soft gleam of the lantern’s light. His nose had the hint of the eastern aristocratic style; but his mouth had well shaped lips. His chin was just as cute as a baby’s chin should be. Soft and round. He looked as if he was smiling, but babies do not smile the day they are born, she thought. But he was smiling a tiny smile at her. “Joseph. He did not cry when he was born, and now I am sure he is smiling at me. Look at our son. Isn’t he the most beautiful baby ever. So contented too. My son Jesus. Our son Jesus. Jesus my son. Oh I do love the name” Joseph leaned in to take a closer look at the baby. “Mary it is so hard to think of this tiny boy as being the son of God. He really is just a baby like any other. But those angels showed us in no uncertain terms he is God, and so did the visit from those shepherds. That was a surprise wasn’t it. And they were so considerate leaving when they did because they saw you were tired.” “Joseph, I haven’t thanked you for your care of me and for tidying me up.” “Mary I am so glad I was able to help you. I know you would not like to have been seen all messy. But come to think of it, how was it that the angels only came after you were tidied?” “I know. When Gabriel first told me of this, he said I would not see them but there would always be many angels all around me at all times and especially right up to the birth of our baby. They were here but we didn’t see them. How considerate of them to wait to show themselves.” Mary stopped and thought for a minute then asked, “Joseph did you feel that you were being guided or helped or anything when you actually helped with the birth?” “Come to think of it Mary, it was rather uncanny how I knew just what to do and where to find everything. Even that little rock pool outside to wash my hands then to wash the cloths later.” He looked at Mary and the baby. “Anyway Mary it really is time that you laid back down and slept. I will keep watch over you. Oh look, Mary.” Joseph was staring at the outer part of the cave. “Look at the animals in the light of the moon there. They are all looking at the baby with such intent looks. And our donkey was not tied so he has come right in.” Mary looked up to see what Joseph was talking about and she too saw the way all the animals were gazing at her tiny son. Their own donkey was right there beside them with the most intent gaze. Joseph got up almost as in a trance and went out and removed the sticks keeping the animals in each pen. A young ox, four goats and another donkey and some chickens. They all slowly moved toward Mary and the baby and stopped and just looked at Jesus. So as to get a better view, the chickens had flown up to sit on the back of the ox who never flinched at the strange burden. Then with Mary and Joseph watching, astonished, the animals as one, all bowed their heads towards the baby for a minute, raised their heads and looked again at Jesus then quietly turned and all returned to their own pens. Joseph replaced the gate sticks and went back in silence to Mary. They just looked at each other in wonder. Mary said “The angels were enough and the shepherds confirmed the fact that our baby is the son of God. But those animals, Joseph. What a testimony. Nobody will believe us when we tell them.” “I have seen many things in my long life, but never anything as powerful as the adoration of those animals. What a night this is. I wonder if this will ever be known outside our own family and friends. But Mary I insist you lie down and sleep. You have earned it goodness knows.