Tuesdays with Naqvi--Herceptin #34

It's a quiet Christmas Eve here at chemo.  I'm the only one in the office, and it's given me some time for quiet reflection, reminiscent of another Christmas Eve, so long ago.  I decided to reread the Christmas story, found in Luke 2 and to also read other references about Mary and the angel who first brought her the news that she would be the mother of Christ, of Joseph, of Elisabeth, and of the early years after Jesus was born.  

In thinking about the eve of the Savior's birth, questions come to mind.  Had Joseph and Mary barely  stumbled into town, late, in order to quickly find a place to stay so Mary could give birth?  Most likely not.  This is what the scriptures say:

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. {Luke 2:4-6}  

We know that Joseph and Mary made a long journey, but we don't know for sure which road they took from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  We don't know if they walked or rode, or if Joseph walked, pulling a very pregnant Mary on a donkey, or could it have been a camel?  We don't know if the couple traveled alone or in a caravan.  What we do know is that they made the journey, which was close to 100 miles and probably took 4-5 days.  Questions arise of where they stayed along the way or did the journey take them longer than it might normally take because of Mary's condition?  Although this type of travel was most likely unpleasant for Mary, being "great with child," she probably was not in labor, on a donkey, in the cold of winter, on an unfamiliar road, barely making it to town, dilated and ready to go.  In the bibilical account it says, "while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."  Jospeh and Mary made it to Bethlehem and stayed long enough for the birth of her baby.  We are not told how long this took--maybe a few days, maybe weeks.  We are not told where they stayed for these "days," only that "she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  {Luke 2:7}  Was the inn like a hotel of modern times?  Or was it more like today when all the children/grandchildren/aunts/uncles of different families go back to their hometowns over holidays, and someone gets stuck sleeping on an air-up mattress in the dining room?  Maybe the best guest quarters Joseph and Mary could find was more like today's pull-out couch in the living room, not a suitable place to give birth.  They possibly retreated to the stable out back, so as not to wake the entire house during that painful process.  

There are many details the scriptures leave out of this story.  How in the world did these two, young, probably scared, inspiring people endure this process?  I have been "great with child" 3 times, and there's a reason doctors tell you not to travel that late in the game.  I cannot imagine having to walk over rocky, dirty, dusty terrain, or ride on a dirty, smelly donkey--or camel--almost 100 miles in that condition.  I don't even want to have to think about sleeping on the side of the road in the middle of the wilderness while on that journey, in fear of bandits, having only the food and supplies we'd carried on a donkey---or camel--but had to ration for the entire trip.  {I'm sure I didn't even want to take a road trip in a climate controlled vehicle, with the ability to make stops at restaurants, and a comfy bed to sleep in upon arrival.}  Mary had probably already had to endure some gossip/anger/questioning from family members and acquaintances about this whole pregnancy thing, since she was only Joseph's espoused wife and still--somehow--great with child.  Then, the couple arrived in Behtlehem after an arduous travel exprience, probably having to explain the story to family there.  {"What?  You're pregnant?  We haven't had a wedding yet!  Is it yours, Joseph? Oh, *I see,* you're still a virgin and this baby is *special.*  Uh-huh.}  The stable was probably a welcome reprieve from scoffs and those who might not have understood.  

While they were there, the days were accomplished, and it was finally time for Jesus to be born.  After that long, uncomfortable, tiring journey, with days of uncomfortable, not-restful sleep, Mary then had to endure labor--not in the clean, comfortable, modern birthing rooms of hospitals of today, with plenty of trained medical personnel by her side, but in a place away from her home, wherever they were staying when there was no room for them at the inn.  I know women give birth naturally all the time, but I quite enjoyed letting an epidural remove the pain from the situation.  I can't imagine having to do all that Mary did after all she'd already been through.  Maybe she had someone other than Joseph to assist in the birth...maybe not.  Maybe she was warm enough....maybe not.  Maybe there was enough light to see what was happening...maybe not.  Maybe she had been able to catch up on her sleep after the uncomfortable journey....maybe not.  We do know that after all that traveling, all that exhaustion, all that pain, all of that unsurety of where they would stay and how they would possible be able to do this thing, she brought forth that holy child and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.  In that one moment, all the suffering and exhaustion and pain and fear and questioning and anxiety became peace, joy, love, happiness, light, charity, miracles, and the greatest gift ever given.  

When I think of all the suffering, frustration, heartache, the fear of the unknown, the hard work, the exhaustion, and the pain Mary {and Joseph} experienced in the time leading up to Jesus' birth, I can't help relating it, in a small way, to the times when we experience trials, heartache, or suffering.  While in the midst of a difficult time, we might only feel the pain, see the sadness, and experience the difficulty of walking the dirty, rocky, uneven roads.  At some point, however, our suffering ceases, our pain subsides, our sadness lifts, and the unbearable parts of our trials are removed.  There might not be angels singing at that moment, but if we look hard enough, we can see the light, the blessings, the peace and joy and happiness that comes from experiencing something difficult and making it through to the other side.  This is my hope, what keeps me going on this long, trying path.

One of my favorite parts of the story of Jesus' birth is near the end.  Although choirs of angels sang out and shared the great tidings and shepherds spread the word around, "Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  She had been through hell and back and was also blessed beyond what her words could express.  At times when we experience some of the most dificult trials in our lives, we are often also buoyed up by the love and blessings of those around us and of our Savior, whose birth we celebrate tomorrow.  I have felt that this year.  Although I would gladly send angels to sing praises to all who have lifted us up, I will ponder this time always and keep the lessons I've learned near and dear to my heart.