In The Last Hour...

In the last hour the pain had become almost unbearable. The time was nearing. We had been for countless strolls up and down the short little road leading from the stable to the Inn. The streets had quieted down as many travelers had found lodging and were settled in for the night now. The sky was bright with millions of twinkling stars. One star shone so brightly overhead that it seemed as though two moons were out this night. Joseph had constructed a small mattress of hay and covered it with two sacks we had brought with us on our journey. He had emptied the manger to ready it for his newborn son.

It seemed more comfortable to stand, and Joseph was quick to my aid when a contraction hit. They seemed to come one after the other now, with very little rest in between. This child would be born soon. One woman from the Inn had come to see us in the last hour. She offered her help if we needed, but Joseph had quietly requested privacy. It was amazing he desired to witness this event. I hadn’t known of any husband who actually wanted to be present at a birth. He realized the significance of this birth though. The angel had explained the impact this child would make in the world. Joseph didn’t want to miss a minute.

Finally the time was here. The child was born quickly and peacefully. The Savior of the world had arrived. The promised Son of God spoken of by hundreds of prophets for generations was finally here.