NOTE: This is a fictional retelling of a Bible story. See the footnote at the bottom of the narrative for
the scripture passage that inspired this modern version of the biblical account.
In the spring, Maria Cristos was in her ninth
month of pregnancy. She absolutely did not feel like traveling the long
distance from Nazareth, MN to Lacy, OH, in their beat-up car for a small business tax seminar. That
seminar would greatly benefit her and her husband, Joe, with their business, Royal
Son Furniture Store. Joe could go by himself, but his memory recall of what would
be said would be dreadful. Joe never remembered to ask what Maria considered the crucial questions. For what they were paying for this seminar, Maria wanted her money’s worth. At least, Maria had discovered on the Internet a lovely bed and breakfast called “The Inn of Heavenly Delights” run by Augustine (Auggy) and India Caesar. According to the information provided, they always had vacancies. Reservations were rarely required.
The day before the seminar started, Maria and Joe came into town late at night, and arrived at the Inn hoping for lodging. This seemed to be the only place in town with rooms. Maria had checked several times on her smart phone. The first year of this tax seminar was a bigger thing than anyone could have ever anticipated.
To the Caesar’s great embarrassment all they had to offer this night was a spare room in their barn kept. It was for the town vet to lodge in when he helped birth their foals and calves. Rooms in the Inn would be available the next day.
Life is always unpredictable; that evening Maria could not make it to the local hospital before she went into labor, and gave birth to her little boy, Jessie, in a barn. Jessie was wrapped tightly, and placed in a feeding trough full of fresh straw.
Before Maria and Joe could leave for the hospital to have the baby checked over, a small group of cattle ranchers showed up. They had a miraculous story of angels telling them to not be afraid, and to come and worship the tiny Messiah. Would miracles never cease to amaze anyone?[i]
“May we never be so focused on getting gifts [and] presents that we
forget to receive the gift of His presence.” (Creative LDS Quotes)
Have a Wonderful Christmas Day
[i] Adapted from All
for One: The Towns of Ohio Complete Trilogy by Robert Kinker, part two: They're Just Like Us, chapter eighteen “A Remarkable Child” and Luke 2:1-20
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