December, 2025 – Faithful Living® ~
December 2025
Faithful Living®
Joe Wagley
It was an honor to carry her…
When my master laid some heavy garments on my back and led me from the pen, I knew something was getting ready to happen. Generally, I would be harnessed to a cart to haul wood and supplies for him. This was different.
My master’s fiancé was greatly with child and I overheard them softly talking about the ruling government conducting a census. They were busy packing things for the 90-mile journey from our hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem. I could see a concerned look on his face. My master’s countenance was a bit troubling to me. He has never treated me poorly. He respects me and knows I will complete all the tasks assigned to me with his help. In humility, I serve at his pleasure. He told me once that a different color of hair made a cross on my back. I never could turn my neck far enough to see for myself. I would often consider that statement for years.
With his very pregnant betrothed, I think he was most concerned for her because of the distance and her condition. This would not be a comfortable ride; although, I would take every care to make this trek as smooth as possible for her. My master would be leading us and that gave me comfort. I overheard them praying quietly for traveling grace before we headed out into the Galilean countryside and away from our town. I think this gave them some peace, as they laid everything before their God. It gave me assurance as well.
The governor of Syria, at the command of the Roman Emperor, needed to register the Jewish people of his jurisdiction, so they could levy taxes on them. My master’s ancestor was King David. So, Bethlehem was the destination where they would be enrolled in this record, because it was King David’s birthplace.
I had no problem traversing the difficult terrain but we are traveling at a slower pace for her. The Jorden River valley is beautiful at any time of the year! I hope we get there before her time to deliver. We have traveled for 3 days now. My master tells his beloved to hang in there, because we have several more days ahead of us.
Finally, we arrive in this little out-of-the-way village in a rural area of Judea. Normally, Bethlehem is a quiet agrarian town. Most of the residents are engaged with herding animals or work in the farming profession. With the census deadline approaching, this tiny hamlet is now teaming with people. Many of these visitors are relatives of my master. With so many people descending on this small community, places to stay are in short supply.
We stop at several possible lodging places but nothing is available. My master is getting a bit nervous as my rider is starting her contractions. She is so young but I feel she is ready for what lies ahead. I can hear her softly singing as my ears stand at attention. What a soothing voice over the crisp night air.
At last, my master talks with an individual who owns an inn and I see they come to an agreement. I thought my rider would have stepped down and gone inside so my master could unload the luggage, tie me near the entrance and provide me with some welcome hay. But he leads both of us around to the rear of the inn. He tenderly tells my rider that they would be staying in the stable this evening as there is no room for them in the inn. The contractions are a bit more intense and closer together…so he makes haste to get her comfortable. Among all of us in the stable, she gets ready to deliver.
As she works hard in this drafty place, Mary brings forth her firstborn son into the world. As a hush descends on this lower level stable, Joseph and I stand in awe of this remarkable moment.
This little boy, Joseph exclaims, is given the name Jesus. His dad wraps him in white cloths and lays him in a feeding manger. After a short time, there are visitors to the inn. They ask the keeper where this baby is located. He motions around to the rear of the building. Then a few shepherds push their way in to this tiny stable with us who gather in wonder. They are so excited and share extraordinary news heralded from untold numbers of angels who appeared to them in the night sky.
These are the amazing words angels proclaimed as later recorded in Luke 2: 11, 14 ESV: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Mary hears these marvelous words uttered about her son, and quietly ponders them deep within her heart.
This Good News continues to be celebrated during the Holy Season. May this confidence of Christ’s birth and his eventual death and resurrection, extend to all of us great hope for what is to come.