2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

It was dusk
when the couple arrived at the encampment
in the downtown park
the man carrying several bags
the woman heavily pregnant
and walking very slowly

reno-victed from their apartment
told to go back where they came from
maybe they shouldn’t be having a baby
if they couldn’t afford rent plus utilities

6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

A man in an orange reflective vest
hurried towards them
the couple asked if there was an extra tent
they could borrow
just for the night
just until her contractions started
and he shook his head
there was no room at the encampment
officials already making noise
about its size
surely a pregnant woman going into labour
would be the reason they were looking for
to shut it down

She felt the shift the moment she knew
they wouldn’t make it to the hospital

An older woman standing in front of a tent
smoking a cigarette
waved the couple over
ducked into her tent
came back out with two tarps and some poles
with ropes attached
a blanket that smelled of smoke
she’d saved everything after someone had
an episode
wasn’t sure if they’d be back
but the couple was welcome to it
for the night

the man carried the items to an empty space
near the fence
and the woman wept as he
spread a tarp on the ground
then the blanket on the tarp
so she could sit down

She felt the shift the moment she knew
this is where her baby would come into the world
in this encampment
surrounded by anxious strangers
a newborn cleaned with bottled water
and wrapped in a hoodie

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’[c]

as she pondered in her heart
how she could feel such joy
in such a lowly place
how she could feel such hope
when they had nothing

someone placed a bowl of warm soup in her hands
another wrapped a blanket around her shoulders
sheets appeared
with assurances they had been washed that day
a small flannel blanket a pair of socks
the miracle of a tiny knitted hat!

where did these gifts come from
the woman wondered as
someone whispered she’d been a nurse
and helped the woman
lay down on her side with a pillow between her knees

she felt the shift the moment she knew
the baby would be born
in this place safe and protected and loved
by anxious strangers

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

and she promised
the baby would know the story of those
who welcomed them when they were homeless
who fed them when they were hungry
who clothed him when he was naked
who visited him when he was born

17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

her body shifted
and she heard her husband’s voice
praying in the language of his heart
heard the voice murmuring into her ear
don’t be afraid don’t be afraid
she heard
the sound of angels
singing on the far side of the encampment

Luke 2: 1-20

The Encampment – Written by Sara Jewell