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20.12.23

ANY ROOF WILL DO

 ANY ROOF WILL DO                                


Joseph couldn’t find a room anywhere in Bethlehem – the census had pushed prices sky-high.

Their weary donkey saved the day, heading unerringly for the scent of straw in some stables, where Joseph spread his cloak and lifted Mary down. 

They were just in time, for her child was born soon after.


With the breath of cattle keeping them warm, they were nearly asleep when the shepherds found them.

“The angel sent us here,” they said, “but why is the King lying in a stable?”

“You wouldn’t have been allowed into a palace,” Mary replied. “Here everyone is welcome.”

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As I do every year I have tried to portray the birth of Christ in human terms. It is well-documented historic fact, but can you imagine what a journey that must have been for Mary, nine months pregnant, being dragged across country to the town of Joseph's birth, just to register in a census demanded by the governing Romans? They were fortunate to find a roof at all. But then - whisper it - the Gospels were written by men, who didn't consider such details worth recording!

This story comes with my good wishes for a happy Christmas and a peaceful 2024 - all over the world, as well as in the land of Jesus' birth.

 Thanks to Rowena for this week's photo prompt and to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers so indefatiguably for umpteen years.

 

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25 comments:

  1. Dale20/12/2023, 17:19

    This is a lovely take on the story of Christmas, Liz.
    Let me also take the time to wish you a very Happy Christmas and wishes for 2024 to be marvellous and filled with love and laughter, good health and good will!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20/12/2023, 19:25

      Thank you, Dale. I

      Delete
    2. Dale20/12/2023, 20:55

      Wow! Liz you are Anonymous!! ;-)

      Delete
    3. liz young20/12/2023, 22:35

      Bloody blogspot playing silly beggars again!

      Delete
  2. Neil MacDonald20/12/2023, 18:23

    Great take and great punchline from Mary

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  3. JadeLi20/12/2023, 19:42

    Modern retelling with a potent underlying message. Such a traumatic beginning to a prophet's life :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous20/12/2023, 20:54

    Beautifully done.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anita Sabat21/12/2023, 06:03

    Extra details of the birth are now recorded thanks to you :)
    Census is important.

    Agree that it must have been tough for Mary.

    I often think that we have not got the correct representation & extra details of many such events.
    We know what we have been told.
    Much is not documented.

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    Replies
    1. liz young21/12/2023, 08:48

      I guess the minutiae would weigh the story down.

      Delete
  6. Iain Kelly21/12/2023, 12:52

    Merry Christmas Liz!

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  7. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields21/12/2023, 13:32

    Dear Liz,

    I can't imagine riding a donkey at nine months pregnant. I love the way she welcomed her visitors in your story. And Mary and Joseph were, after all, human.

    Christmas Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    Replies
    1. liz young21/12/2023, 16:23

      Even getting onto that donkey must have been a struggle! Christmas greetings to you too.

      Delete
  8. Indira Mukhopadhyay22/12/2023, 08:15

    Beautifull. Christmas greetings, Liz.

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    Replies
    1. liz young22/12/2023, 16:39

      Thank you, Indira, and a happy Christmas to you too.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous22/12/2023, 12:01

    Merry Christmas.! I never thought of the stable as a place of access…nice POV.

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    Replies
    1. liz young22/12/2023, 16:40

      Guards would have turned away scruffy shepherds from a palace.

      Delete
  10. Dawn23/12/2023, 17:43

    Beautiful story Liz. Merry Christmas.

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    Replies
    1. liz young23/12/2023, 23:16

      Thank you, Dawn, and merry Christmas to you too.

      Delete
  11. The Sicilian Storyteller24/12/2023, 00:55

    Truly, what's not to like? Merry Christmas, Liz!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sandra Crook24/12/2023, 09:17

    A lovely take on an old story that will live on. Merry Christmas Liz.

    ReplyDelete

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