This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 8

Summary:  Questions and a traveler interrupt the reading The Christmas Story.

Rating:  G  (1,040 words)

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, “

First Born
  ~~ by Justafan

“Pa, what’s an inn?” the little boy asked.  His eyes glistened in the glow of candlelight, making his face look cherubic.

“An inn is like a hotel, Joe.  You know, like The International House where we stay sometime.”

“But why was there no room?  There is lots of room when we stay?”  The boy was still quite confused.

“All the rooms were full, son.  When there is a big event in town all the hotels and boarding houses are full of visitors from out of town,” Ben answered.

“Joe let Pa read some more,” Hoss said, pulling his brother into his lap.

“Wait, there’s something else.  Pa said laid him in a manger.  What’s that?”

“You know where we feed the animals in the barn, we fill it with hay or food.  That’s a manger,” Ben said as he watched understanding begin to grow in his 7-year-old’s eyes.  The light there seemed to get brighter as knowledge and realization took hold.  The father waited patiently for the next question.

“Swadd . . .swadd . ..”

“Swaddling clothes.  You wrap a baby tightly in a blanket, son. It keeps his arms and legs quiet, so he can rest.  It also keeps him very warm.”

“Pa is that why you tuck me in so tight sometime?”

“No, boy.  That’s to keep your busy body in bed so we can sleep,” Hoss added.  “Now let . . .”

“Funny.  They put the mom and her baby in a barn and she tied him up with a blanket, placed him in a feed bin because there was not a single room, in a single house, International House, boarding house or nothing,” Joe stated as he weaved the truth together in his own way.  Shaking his head and waving his hands, he displayed disbelief.  “It would have been warm in the kitchen?  Didn’t someone have a kitchen?”

“Yes, Son,” Ben answered.

“Why, Pa?  Why did God let his Son come here like that?  Couldn’t he have made a better place for the baby?  God made the world, the stars, the sky.  He could have made a big house for Jesus to be born in.  Even bigger than the International House.  The people were not nice to them,” Joe said sadly.  “Pa, we wouldn’t make her stay in the barn, would we?  I would go sleep in Hoss’ bed or sleep with you and they could have my room and stay as long as they want.  I could play with the Baby Jesus and we could be like brothers forever and ever.”

“Joseph, that was the plan.  To bring Him here in a humble manner so that Jesus could live and walk with men.  And you know, Son, you are His and He will walk with you all your life, if that’s what you want.”

Ben watched the glowing light from his son’s eyes and appreciated this moment in time.  Tears formed in his own eyes as Joe and Hoss chattered about walking with Jesus and how the Savior was born.  He missed the young man who usually helped him corral the two of them.  On this night, he missed his firstborn.  Clearing his throat, Ben continued.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night,” Ben read.  The boys quieted down and listened to their father, who struggled to keep the tears from being heard. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

“That’s Jesus.  Pa, God sent his angels to tell everyone?”

“Yes, He did.  He wanted to announce his Son’s arrival.”

“Yeah, Joe.  You announced your own arrival with all that wailing you did the first day you were here,” Hoss said laughing.  “You could cry like a new born calf.  Woke up the whole territory.”

Ben ignored his sons’ antics and continued reading.  He was trying to get through the scripture, so they could have Christmas Eve dinner before the guests arrived.  When he began reading again, both boys stared at their father as his voice commanded their attention.   “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Flipping the Bible shut, he watched his boys bow their heads as he sent a prayer to the heavens, thanking God for giving him all three sons and for the bounty in their lives.  He prayed for those less fortunate than they and asked for peace in the world in which they lived.

A knock interrupted his prayer.  Someone was an hour early.  The annual Christmas party did not begin until four.  “Now who could be that early?” he asked aloud.  Pushing back from the table, Ben watched as the front door swung open and a man dressed in black entered the great room.

“Merry Christmas,” Adam shouted as he dropped his bags near the clock standing at attention near the door.  “I made it home!” He waited for the reunion he knew would come and was not surprised when he was wrapped in the warmth and love of his family.

“Adam! Adam!” the two younger boys screamed as chairs scrubbed against the wood floor. They ran to their brother, smothering him with hugs and chatter.

“And she brought forth her first-born son,” Ben whispered as tears rolled unchecked down his face.  Thank you, Father, for her First Born and bringing mine home.”

Luke 2:7-11 from the King James Version

May the joy of the holiday season be with everyone and may the Father bless you all abundantly.

Link to the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 9 – A Voice in the Night by Patina

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright