milk & honey mamas

Mary

And Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, for Caesar Augustus had declared that all the world must be taxed. 

And while they were there, Mary’s labor began. But Bethlehem was so busy there was no place for her and Joseph to go. So they found a stable at the home of Mary’s relatives, and there was nowhere else, so Mary lifted her chin and was brave. The sounds of the animals joined her in the pain of labor, their voices soft and gentle, and after a long time of hard work her baby was born. 

She cradled his soft head and smoothed his soft, black hair. She held his tiny fingers in her own, and traced his face with her hand and then she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and she laid him in a manger.

She lay down beside him, Joseph keeping watch in the night, and softly hummed a lullaby. Baby Jesus slept, breathing in and out and in and out, and Mary watched his tiny chest rise and fall, and though the night was long, she smiled, and whispered a blessing, and rested. Joy.

Song

Compiled by Caroline

Glad Tidings, Ellie Holcomb

Joy to the World, Paul Zach

Poem

Compiled by Caroline

Ring Out Wild Bells

By Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die…

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Art

Compiled by Caroline

How Artists Have Imagined the Nativity Around the World: 

Activity

Contributed by Kristen

Light the third candle of advent and choose an activity. See our resources for lots of great ideas!