Thoughts fears and strength around Jesus birth by Kelley Barton
I often wondered what it was like for Mary and Joseph, I mean really like, when Jesus was born. Not what we read in the Gospels, but the thoughts, fears and strength we don’t read. I ended up writing a scene about it, many years ago. Even though they both had visits from Angels, my humanness imagines that it was hard to hold onto that feeling of assurance when the circumstances became challenging. This is the result.
(Mary and Joseph cautiously enter. Mary is very pregnant and walks with difficulty, breathing heavily and wincing as she moves. Joseph helps her as best he can. They look around, taking in the setting of where the Son of God is to be born. Mary has a dreamy, euphoric look on her face. Joseph’s jaw sets with disapproval.)
JOSEPH
This is it?
MARY
I guess so.
JOSEPH
I know he said a stable but...this is hardly much of anything.
MARY
It’ll be fine, Joseph. It’s what God wants.
JOSEPH
It’s filthy. Where are you going to...how am I...
(Mary covers his mouth with one hand, gently. The other hand rests on her belly.)
MARY
We have to remember that this is God’s son. He will take care
of us.
JOSEPH
(panicked, scared) I wish my faith could be as strong as yours.
MARY
(Gently, teasingly) Joseph.
JOSEPH
I know, I know. (looks around, spots a place and guides Mary to it) Let’s try up there. It looks like the best place.
(As they begin to move slowly towards the area, Mary gets her first deep and searing contraction. She grabs her belly, doubles over and moans loudly.)
MARY
Joseph!
JOSEPH
I’m here, Mary. Can you keep moving?
MARY
I’ll try. (She moves a few inches, with Joseph helping her. Another pain comes, only sharper. She cries out louder).
JOSEPH
What do you want me to do?
MARY
A midwife, go find one. (They inch forward a bit, getting closer to the Manger and bales of hay).
JOSEPH
The Innkeeper said they had all gone home to register.
MARY
I know what he said but...there has to be someone.
JOSEPH
Okay. (Joseph starts to walk away as Mary is almost to the Manger. She suddenly gets such a severe pain that she falls to her knees and screams loudly.
He rushes back to her.) Mary!
MARY
Don’t go. I’m scared.
(Joseph uses all his strength to lift her up and gently sets her down on a bale of hay, next to the Manger. He kneels next to her, stroking her face.
She clutches his hand tightly.)
MARY
Are you sure we can’t find somewhere else?
JOSEPH
Mary, we’ve looked everywhere. All the inns are full.
MARY
Could you have missed one?
JOSEPH
No, I didn’t. And if the last innkeeper hadn’t felt so sorry for us
and offered this stable, we would be out on the street.
MARY
Maybe we should have left Nazareth sooner, then we could have found a room.
JOSEPH
We left as soon as we could, you know that. (teasingly)
Hey, what happened to that faith of yours?
MARY
(she grimaces with more pain and puts on a brave smile.)
I guess I lost it for a second there.
JOSEPH
That’s okay. (trying to seem stronger than he feels)
Somehow I feel mine growing stronger, big enough for both of us.
MARY
(She feels another contraction coming.) Good. Cos I’m gonna need it.
(The pain hits again and she cries out.)
JOSEPH
I’m here. I’ll take care of you.
(Mary begins to breathe heavily, beginning to panic.)
MARY
Joseph, I don’t think I can do this. I need my mother.
(Joseph moves around behind her, cradling her head against his shoulder.)
JOSEPH
You can do it Mary. I know you can.
MARY
How can you be so sure?
JOSEPH
(He gets a sense of instant peace.) Because this is God’s son, not ours. He is here with us, right now. Just as He promised. Somehow...I know that a miracle is about to occur.
(Mary sits up a bit as the strongest contraction yet grips her, shaking her entire body. She screams out very loud and long as the lights begin to fade on her.)