What would the day after the first Christmas have looked like? How would the day after the shepherds have looked?
- Would there have been some curious people strolling in because they heard the shepherds’ proclamation?
- Could the innkeeper caved into the guilt and got the new family a room, or at least some comforts?
- Did Joseph have to scramble to the busy marketplace to find some food for the starving, exhausted mother?
- Did the barn animals behave themselves? Surely they couldn’t keep quiet as the baby laid in the manger!
I think back to the days after my children were born. We were grateful for the grandparents’ help. Our small group made sure we were well fed and cared for. At the same time, we were exhausted and equally thankful when we were home and the excitement had died down… then came the work of raising a brand new human!
How was it for the new parents? No grandparents were nearby. All the support was ninety miles away in Nazareth. Did they help from others that were brought together for the census?
Maybe it was a silent night, but the next day was probably a cacophony of noise, smells, and activity. It makes me that much more thankful that hope, light, and love had come.
