...Who Lay to Rest (On Mary's Lap is Sleeping?)

No animals were stirring anymore; the lambs snuggled close into their mother's soft wool as the calves sweetly laid on top of their mothers. There was no more screaming, or crying, or distress. It was silent for the first time during the long, drawn-out night.

The young Palestinian couple sat uncomfortably with their backs against the stable's stone wall; the newborn swaddled in Mary's red headscarf in her lap. Her child's chest slowly rose and fell; His eyes shut, long eyelashes positioned perfectly on his chubby cheeks. He was beautiful; of course, the couple couldn't stop staring.

Joseph's arm sat gently around Mary's shoulders, his head resting on her head to get a closer look at the holy, tender infant. Mary sighed, her shoulders finally releasing all the tension from the night; he chuckled.

"He has your eyes, you know," Joseph said quietly, the exhaustion in his voice evident.

Mary smiled, "His eyes are closed."

"When they opened for the first time, He looked exactly like you."

Mary let out a small laugh. "He has your nose."

Joseph raised an eyebrow, one that Mary could almost sense, and she held her head up so they could look at one another.

"He's not my son," Joseph smiled, his brow still raised.

Mary giggled, "Correct, but He needs a father here on earth, and I am lucky enough for it to be you."

Joseph was taken aback. It was not like he was going anywhere – not again – but he still felt a pang deep within his chest. She was too good for him: too perfect.

"Mariam, forgive me," he said suddenly.

"For what?" those two words tenderly rolled off her tongue. Joseph's breath hitched.

He felt so small in comparison to his love and her child. Her pure grace mixed with the holy, innocent light of God who held so close to the blessed woman.

"I had abandoned you. Forgive me."

"I understand; I forgive." She smiled weakly, her own heart aching. "I would not want to be near me either. I can only imagine what may have happened if Yahweh was not with us. Hallelujah."

"Even if He were not, I should have stayed with you."

Mary went quiet, brows furrowing. She sighed, biting her lip, and rested her head against the wall.

"There's no need to dwell, Yosef. We have something much more important to give our attention to now," she spoke passively, her gaze landing on the infant whose chest gently rose and fell.

Joseph nodded slowly. Mary's exhaustion was evident; quietly, he shifted away from his future wife and stood up slowly. Mary raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word. He searched through the small barn before laying his eyes upon a manger. Carefully picking it up, he placed it in front of Mary, who gave him a confused smile.

"Is this our seudah?" Mary joked.

"You are hungry, correct?" Joseph replied with a quiet laugh.

He took his place next to her again, dragging the manger closer. He gestured at the newborn; Mary gently handed her son to Joseph, who placed Him in the feeder. It isn't ideal, but it would do.

"Now rest, ahuvati, I shall watch Him," he said, placing an arm around her again. "You have been through enough tonight alone that could last a lifetime for others."

Mary sighed at that. She snuggled close to her fiancé; the two stared at the word made flesh, who was to be hailed by the world.

Jesus, Lord at birth. Christ the babe, the Son of Mary.

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my first fic on here in a LONG time yayy!!!! of course, it's about the Bible lol. i've been thinking about Mary and Joseph a lot lately - Jesus too - but the relationship between Jesus' parents is rarely seen. what we have seen of them, we know how much they love each other and the respect they have for each other.

i think we deserve to know more about the relationship between Mary and Joseph, as well as Jesus' childhood, and even teenage years. i love them all so dearly, and i hope everyone can take a step back this Christmas to pray for the Christians suffering in the same place Christ was born.

anyway, hoping i'll post more on here soon, especially bc ao3 is ran by zionists, so get ready for more Bibleposting, or Alice in Borderland content.

and as always: FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE!!!