Mod-Blog.Creative Writing

The Phone Call
by William Sarris and Mark Chesner

MARY Section #1
That's when the car broke down. Yeah, just our luck! Joseph said the mechanic was saying something about the "timing belt", which is apparently a big deal. I don't see why it should cost so much, there was only a small explosion.

Joseph? He's so sweet. Right now he is building a cradle for the baby! He's even making it in the shape of a manger, isn't that just the cutest? You wouldn't believe how nice he was mamma. I mean, after we got the car towed and we got to the motel, the innkeeper said they didn't have any rooms available. Well, at least none that would be private. I think there was one room that had a bed, but there were 4 other people staying in that room. Yes, very crowded! and noisy! Oh, we ended up in the stable…

JOSEPH SECTION #1
Money. It’s a nice thing to have. I can say that because I don’t have any, nothing to speak of anyway. If I had money I wouldn’t be sitting here in a stable. I would be sitting in a big overstuffed armchair, the kind that you sink into when you sit in it. I would be watching my wife, Mary, and my new baby sleep in a bed under warm sheets. But, I don’t have money, so here we are, in a stable with hay, and a manger for the baby. Last night, as the baby was being born, I was sitting there telling Mary “Everything is okay, your going to be fine” but the whole time my heart was beating so hard, I thought it was going to shake loose and fall in my stomach! I am SO glad I am not a woman. I was so nervous I didn’t even wash my hands!

MARY Section #2
The stay-bull, mother. Yes, the place they put all the animals. Now, mamma, don't say that! I know it is not as sanitary as the hospital, but it was the best we could do. I told you, there were no rooms. It was late, and the baby was coming, we needed someplace warm and private right away. It got a roof over our head, and four walls to keep out the wind. The animals weren't a problem at all. They were actually very quiet and respectful. Until Joseph stepped on the rooster, anyway…


JOSEPH SECTION #2
There’s always some expense you didn’t count on to knock you for a loop right when you thought you were getting everything under control. I was all set, getting ready for the baby, building things for him and for Mary. Then bam-mo, some big shot in Rome decides he wants to see how many people he rules over, and how much money he can get out of them. Of course, this means everyone has to travel back to his hometown, and mine happens to be on the other side of the country from my current residence, necessitating a long, expensive trip, with a pregnant wife. Result, here we are. It’s kind of funny in a way.

MARY Section #3
He was so calm, Mamma, I mean it must have been so scary… how must he feel? First, he finds out I'm pregnant, then I tell him it is the Son of God.. Mother, don't start that again, we've been over this… And that dream he had must have meant something… I mean, I had an angel appear to me, too, and I can tell you, it was no googly eyed cute cherub with fluffy wings! The angel was huge! …No, not fat! More like a giant or maybe Arnold Schwarzenegger! Joseph must have been so scared! I mean, when I saw him the next day he was still in shock…

JOSEPH SECTION #3
What’s not funny is an angel. I gotta wonder, God, couldn’t you send something a little less frightening when you want to announce something to someone? There I was, sleeping, and suddenly there is this big shining guy standing there, saying, “Don’t be afraid” and then telling me the baby Mary is going to have will be Your Son. Like I’m not going to be afraid! You know though, it did get my attention, and it cleared up some things for me. I wasn’t quite as afraid after that.

MARY Section #4
Then, just before the baby is ready to be born, he gets official notice that we have to travel down to Bethlehem for a census and some dumb tax. Doesn't the emperor already have enough money? The whole way down there, we were freaking out wondering when the baby would come. We just get there and the car breaks down and, right on cue, I go into labor…And by the way, you never told me how much that hurts! It was awful! Why didn't you at least... Yes, mom, sorry, I was just getting back to the stable.

He was great when the time came - he was so calm. Then the baby came; he was so beautiful… Joseph wrapped him up in some clean clothes we had packed for the trip, and he laid him in the manger. Yes, mother, he made sure the hay was clean…

JOSEPH SECTION #4
I don’t really think a king’s life should be started in a food trough. A throne would seem more appropriate. I thought about building him one, but I didn’t think it went with the décor here… I think a cradle will be fine; I know how to build cradles.

Did you see that inn last night? Place looked like an oversize tin of sardines, people were packed in so tight! I don’t blame the innkeeper for turning us away; at least he let us use the stable. He had no idea what was really going on, right outside.

Of course, you didn’t tell him or anyone else in there what was going on. I mean, I don’t want to say anything, but shepherds aren’t exactly my idea of powerful, influential people you would announce this sort of thing to. Don’t get me wrong, they were really nice guys, it was just a little unexpected seeing them trundle in babbling about angels and offering us goat cheese sandwiches.

MARY Section #5
Oh, and then there were the visitors! They said angels came and told them to come see the baby, that he was the Son of God. Yes, mother, it was a little weird. But we just had to let them come in, when they told us about the heavenly choir. I had one angel, but they said there were… well, a lot of them anyway. I mean, those shepherds were so gentle and reverent, I had to let them hold Him… Oh no, mamma, there was nothing to worry about. They were so tender. So filled with awe, actually, I think they were kind of scared. It is really strange to see these macho men just tear up and melt when they saw the baby. And on the way out they were singing! Most were off key, but they were so excited, I mean, it was... painful actually. Shepherds can't carry a tune in a bucket.


Don't worry mamma, we're not going to be on the road while I'm recovering. Well, we can't leave right now. The car's still in the shop. Besides, I think Joseph is worried about money. I think he ended up using all his savings just to get here and pay the tax. Yes, mother, I know it is hard to find work back home. He is a good carpenter, and I am sure he can find work down here. With so many people passing thru, they're talking about building some more hotels and maybe a Wal-Mart or two.

JOSEPH SECTION #5
I guess what I want to know is, after a beginning like this, angels, stables, shepherds, roosters… not really the way I would plan it… After this, what is His life going to be like? The angel said he would be the Savior of Israel. How is He going to do that? Is anyone going to notice Him? Will they give him a better reception later on than they did last night?

MARY Section #6
Ohh! Do you hear that beep, Mom? That means my time is up. I have got to go, I don't have another quarter. No, really, I have got to go! They're going to cut us off. Yes, I promise next time I'll call collect. Yes, I promise to send some pictures of the baby, as soon as we have them. Mom, I really have to go. They're... Yes… His name? Jesus. Yes, Joseph said the angel was clear about that… Yes, Mama, I think it is a beautiful name too… I love you Mom… yep… bye…

JOSEPH SECTION #6
If people couldn’t find room for a baby in the middle of the night, what’ll they do when they find out He’s the Son of God?

All stories seen on this page are copywritten and may not be taken or republished without permission by the staff of Mod-Blog.

This piece may be used freely for ministry. While publishing rights are withheld, it may be used by any church or faith-based organization without permission of the original authors.