Advent - stories for a season

Chipping away, the stonemason wiped sweat from his forehead. Another hot day as he lifts large pieces of stone and places them together molding and shaping with fire. More orders were waiting. "There are always people needing our work", he thought. "At least this one is easy, and doesn't have to be perfect. It's just for animals to feed out of". He continues to work as fast as he can knowing this feeding trough wasn't special, it just serves a purpose - nourish the animals.  After several hours, he finishes the order and delivers it to a small Inn on the edge of town. There's not much room in the stable, but it holds enough space to house the few animals that belong to the Inn Keepers. As they placed the feed trough in the stable room, they fill it with water and move on to the next project.  They would've never understood that they were actually building an alter that day. That soon, a king would be placed on this stone trough and allow himself ...

"Finally. I've waited my entire life to find THE one. The person who will walk with me and build a family with me. I've found the one I call beloved. I adore Mary. I trust her. I feel in love with her when I first saw her smile. But this, this feels like too much. I've committed to be with her and take her as my wife, and I want to, but how am I to live in disgrace? How can I trust her again after this?"  A million thoughts go through Joseph's mind trying to figure out a way to dismiss her without shame. "But then, just before I made a mistake I would regret the rest of my life, he showed up. It was a dream - or at least I think it was. An angel telling me that Mary was pregnant with the Son of God! How can this be? He said to marry her. He told me to raise the Son of God as my own. How is this possible? How can I, a mere man, be strong enough, be smart enough, have enough patience and love to teach the Son of God how to be a son of man? How do I teach th...

“She-ma yisrael, adonai eloheinu, adonai echad.” Mary repeated the beginning of the shmah, it's what she repeated every morning.  In Hebrew it’s, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” She feels a light breeze on her face.   “She-ma yisrael, adonai eloheinu, adonai echad.”    “Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.” she whispered. And breathes in a deep breath.  “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and ... what is that noise? She looks up, unveiling her eyes. The sun is coming up, but it's too early for that; and it's bright, very bright. Wait...who is that? Mary looked up towards the sun and she sees, a person. Sort of.  --------------------------------------- When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored...