A Christmas story remake

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud - the Babe, the Son of Mary.

- William Dix

Late March, 01 BC:

Mary, I told you theres no such thing as a real angel. Have you been getting enough sleep?

But, Mother, somebody in a white robe who looked like an angel stood right there in front of me and said I....

Now, Daughter, your mother is right. A lot of people wear white these days. Why, it could have been your Uncle Seth. You know how he likes to play tricks on you. And that story you told us, about having a baby and all - at your age? Yes, that sounds just like something the old fellow would make up.

It was not Uncle Seth, Father. My visitor was - well, real. And when he told me my baby would be the Son of God I felt so awesome, almost like God was talking to me himself.

John, what are we going to do with that girl? If she goes around telling everyone what shes just told us well be the laughingstock of Nazareth.

Youre right, Martha. Maybe wed better sign her up for a few sessions at that new counseling center out on the edge of town....

June, that same year:

Mother, I think Im pregnant. See how tight my clothes are?

Dont be silly, Mary. Youre just growing up. All children outgrow their clothes when theyre 14 or 15.

Mother, look at me - close. Im going to have a baby.

Oh, no! What have you and Joseph...?

Joseph had nothing to do with this, Mother. I respect him too much to have any contact like that with him before were married. I told you, an angel....

John, does that counseling center do abortions? Angel or no angel, we wont be able to hold our heads up in this town if we let our unmarried daughter have this baby - and God knows no one will believe that story shes telling us.

September:

Joseph, I ran into Mary at the market today and - well, I think you and I had better have a talk. What have you two been up to?

Father, I know youre going to have a hard time believing this, but the Holy Spirit of God is the father of her child, not me.

Sure, tell me another one. And if she claims thats the truth, then arent you the gullible one? Just think what a baby - say nothing of that concocted story - will do to your business. Youre just getting the carpentry shop started and you have a great clientele. Watch the whole thing go down the drain when this scandal gets out. I think youd better break off your engagement - now!

But, father, I love Mary and - well, an angel spoke to me, too, and Ive promised to help raise the child just as if I were the father.

What? This is worse than I thought. Now my business is going down the drain, too. What did your mother and I do to deserve this...?

December:

Of all times to take a trip, Mary. Give Joseph power of attorney so he can register for you, and let him go to Bethlehem by himself. A woman needs her mother when she has her first baby.

No, Mother, my place is with my husband. Joseph is so kind to me I know hell let me stop often to rest, and hell find a clean bed for me if the baby comes before we get back. Besides, Josephs parents, Jacob and Anna, are of Davids line, too. Im sure theyll be somewhere in Bethlehem if we need them. Please dont worry - and thank you for believing my angel story even if it did take you a while.

Jacob, whats that singing? Look! The sky is as bright as day. Are those - angels?

Im not sure, Anna, but Ive never seen anything like this before. Somethings up. Oh, over there. See those shepherds? They just left their flocks on the hillside and theyre running down that road toward town. Do you want to go, too?

Yes, Jacob, lets go. Listen! Theyre talking about a baby. Do you suppose...

Oh, look, Anna!

Our son!

Our grandson!

Our savior!

(Barbara Seaborn is a local free-lance writer. E-mail comments to seabara@aol.com.)