Joe, Mary, the Baby, and the Mall

            This is an article I wrote a number of years ago for The Dispatch. Many people seemed to enjoy it.  The message is one we all need to hear.           

            And it came to pass in those troubled economic days that there went out a decree from all major retailers, discount stores, and malls that gift giving at Christmas was mandatory.  Everyone was required to give expensive gifts to all family members, co-workers (even the ones you don’t like), your hairdresser, the family next door, the butcher, the baker, and—don’t forget—your preacher!  This decree was first made when retirement accounts were depressed and credit cards were at 25% interest. 

            And Joe also went up from the county of Davidson, out of the city of Linwood, into Forsyth, unto the twin city, which is called Winston-Salem, because he was of the house and lineage of Old Salem, to go last-minute Christmas shopping with Mary, his new wife, who was great with child. 

            And so it was that they drove around the parking lot for a long time until they finally parked in the grass, because there were no parking places in the paved lot.  After buying gifts, Mary was standing in the complimentary gift wrapping line, when the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she went into labor and passed out in the line. 

            Upon witnessing this great thing that had come to pass, Joe dropped the gifts and announced, “I must go, even unto the parking lot, and find our car which I pray the Lord will make the location known unto me.”  And he went with haste and found his car which was blocked in by several other cars and then, seized with panic; he sprinted back to the mall and was promptly hit by a car.  He was sore and afraid.

            And there were in the same mall, security officers, who called 911 to assist the expectant mother.  And suddenly, there was in the parking lot, a multitude of frustrated drivers who also called 911 to report an injured shopper in hopes they would get his parking place.  And it came to pass that there was gridlock around the mall and the ambulances could not get through.  Joe was very sore and more afraid and he looked up and saw a star in the east at Baptist Hospital and prayed for help from above. 

            Upon hearing his prayer, the helicopter from North Carolina Baptist Hospital came with haste and found Joe in the parking lot, Mary in the mall, and the baby due any minute.  As the helicopter landed at Baptist it blew the giant star off of the hospital into the adjoining neighborhood where friendly carolers were singing Christmas carols by night. 

            And, lo, the giant star flew over them and exploded round about them and they were sore afraid.  And suddenly there were with the carolers a multitude of police cars, fire trucks, and emergency vehicles with loud sirens and flashing lights.  And the carolers said, one to another, “Let us now go even unto Baptist Hospital and see this thing which is come to pass.”  And they came with haste and found Joe in the emergency room, Mary in labor and delivery, and the babe, wrapped in a hospital blanket and lying in a sterilized bassinet. 

            And Joe said in a loud voice, “Here we are on Christmas Eve without any gifts!”

            Just then three wise doctors from the east entered the room and said, “But you have the greatest gift of all, a newborn baby boy wrapped in love and joy, and lying in a sterilized bassinet.”  And the carolers joined together with the doctors and nurses and sang, “Silent Night.”

            And Joe, being warned in a dream not to return to the mall, took Mary and the baby and went back to Linwood on Christmas Day, where they were visited by family members, neighbors, and friends who celebrated this new life with great rejoicing. 

            Joe and Mary apologized for not having any gifts, but everyone was so excited about the newborn baby that gifts did not matter.  It was a happy time of love and joy. 

            Perhaps we can celebrate Christmas with gifts of love, happiness, peace and joy.  Could we be so excited about the baby of Bethlehem that ordinary gifts would not matter?  The greatest gift is God’s love that comes to us through the birth of his son.

            Merry Christmas!  Share the love of God and pray for peace on earth.