An Amicable Nativity Story: The Arrival
“We are looking for a couple with a newborn baby,” Ani said quietly. “We think the baby may have been born yesterday. Although, it might not be until tomorrow. We are a little uncertain. Have there been any births today?” Not only did she have three strangely dressed foreigners standing before her, their question was [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: ‘We Are Close’
“The most important person to come out of Illinois, in my opinion, was Abraham Lincoln. While he was not born there, he was raised there and was a resident of Springfield, when he was elected president. I will recommend that you receive a visa. However, since this is a most unusual request, a letter will [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: Joined for a Purpose
“Without a doubt we are joined together for a purpose,” said Ani. “I will study all my charts again. Perhaps with the information you have shared with me, I will be able to better understand what they are foretelling and what is expected of us. I have the feeling we should not waste any time. [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: The Long Journey West
Following the path through the forest from the Shugseb Nunnery to the center of McLeod Gunj, Ani Rinpoche hardly noticed the incline or the smell of the pines or the beautiful rhododendron. Even the view of the Dhauladhar range and the Kangra Valley below failed to catch her attention. She was in a hurry. Ever [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: Anna on the Nightshift
This had not been a particularly busy night at Memorial Medical Center, but it seemed as if Anna Schaeffer had been on the go all night. She had just finished mopping up a patient’s blood and vomit around an emergency room bed and changed the sheets. Now Anna was hoping she could take a short [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: ‘A Child To Die For’
Wiping the tears from his eyes, David finally spoke. “It’s good to see you. What can I do for you?” Somehow David knew it would do no good to ask how Gabe had found him, so he let that question go unspoken. Smiling, Gabe said, “I need your help, David. I am sure you saw [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: A Baby Named Hope
After allowing time for his few words to sink in, the stranger continued. “My name is Gabe. I saw the birth and thought company might be welcome at a time like this. By the way, congratulations.” Gabe knew the fear he was facing. He had been judged too often by the color of his skin [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: A Visit from a Man Named Gabe
As they gazed at Hope, their daughter, Maura and Jose’s feeling of calm and assurance was dispelled as a shadow passed over them. The unexpected shadow brought their attention back to the present. Simultaneously their faces turned and looked up. Standing in front of them, both in the light and crowned by it, was the [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: A Baby Is Born
The contractions were now less than a minute apart and each one seemed to be longer than the last. Jose let go of Maura’s hand and moved down to her feet. Gently spreading her legs wider, he checked to see how much she was dilated and if the baby’s head was close. The instant Jose [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: Jose and Maura, In the Cold
When they left the hospital it was after eight in the evening. By the time they reached the shelter they had stayed at the previous night, it was full and the doors locked. They had wandered the streets looking for some shelter from the wind and the cold. As they passed a vacant lot, Maura [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: A Hospital Turns Them Away
“Jose!!” Maura’s scream was filled with all the fear, pain and uncertainty of childbirth. On this clear, starlit, wind chilled night, with her water already having broken, Maura was about to give birth. Jose panicked as reality began to set in. It was becoming almost too much to bear. “This is crazy!” he thought. “How [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story: A Miraculous Pregnancy
The surge of uncontrolled water flow brought Maura’s attention back to the present. Flowing down her legs and into her boots was a sudden gush of water. She looked down, frightened, and then looked frantically at Jose. Seeing her eyes widen and look down, Jose had followed her gaze. This was not his first birth [...]
Amicable Nativty Story: A Child Bearing a Child
18-year-old Maura stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb and trying to keep out of the cold wind’s icy grasp. Layered as she was, in long dress, sweater, coat, and blanket with newspaper wrapped around her boots for extra warmth, one might have missed the very large bulge in her middle. Maura was, in [...]
Amicable Nativity Story: Jose’s Union Sympathies
A quick gust of wind pushed the fire’s warmth back into the barrel, sending a spray of smoke and sparks heavenward. The wind’s icy cold pricked Jose’s cheeks and brought more tears to his eyes. He never had gotten use to the north’s snow and cold. The night’s cold turned his thoughts to images of [...]
Amicable Nativity Story: Jose Crosses the Border
Jose stood in front of a large oil drum dropping pieces of wood onto the glowing embers and hoping his supply of wood would last the night. As the flames began to shoot up the light revealed his forehead, wrinkled with concern and his sad, tired eyes. The large, callused hands and drawn face told [...]
An Amicable Nativity Story
The Amicable Congregational Church is keeping Christ in Christmas by recasting the messiah as a baby girl named Hope. Minister Bill Sterritt remade the original Christmas story in modern times, and added an overtly-progressive theme to the tale of a special baby being born under less than ideal conditions. The Biblical character of Joseph is [...]
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