4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:4-7
The birth of a child is a celebrated milestone in the life of any couple’s life. I am sure that the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were no different. Of course, Mary gave birth to the Son of the Most High God, but I will leave that aside for the moment. When I painted this scene, I was thinking of Mary, a young girl, being so far from her home in Nazareth. I wonder if she found herself so overwhelmed with the sudden change in her life. She is away from her family. She is with a man she probably had not known so well. Yet, I am sure along the journey, her feelings were confirmed that he was both a protector and provider beyond her expectations. As she finally gives birth in that cave, both she and St. Joseph must have felt such tremendous joy. Yet, all of Bethlehem was asleep. Away from everyone, Jesus was Born in peace and humility. Was there not a cause for celebration, singing, rejoicing? Of course, we know the angels did exactly that….just a little farther away with the shepherds. Hark, what’s that I see down below? Three shepherds are scurrying through Bethlehem. Did they leave their sheep behind? Of course, the Good Shepherd is born. I am sure all the sheep rejoiced too.