Zebina screamed out as her final push brought forth her newborn son. Her tears of anguish soon became tears of joy as this new life lay in her arms. Seth was finally allowed in the house to view his newborn. All the anguish disappeared when he laid eyes on this miracle.

“It’s a boy, Seth. We have a son.”

Seth could not speak as he fought back tears of joy. He knelt beside the bed and rubbed Zebina’s hair back as he stared at this precious new life.

“Do you remember the name we chose for a boy?” she asked.

“Joash,” he said. “He shall be called Joash, ‘one who supports and hastens to help. He’s perfect, Zebina.” One uncontrolled tear ran down his cheek.

“Would you like to hold him?”

Seth awkwardly reached out and drew his son close. Little Joash looked so tiny in his father’s massive arms. Seth couldn’t take his eyes off this son of his. Finally, he thought about Zebina. “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” she sighed.

Seth delivered Joash back to his mother’s arms.

Zebina grew stronger each day and the happy family began to find a satisfying routine. It seemed in no time Joash learned to walk. He enjoyed playing with the rocks in the garden, then in another year, he could pull up a basketful of vegetables. By the time he was six, he began helping his father with the cows and gleaning the wheat.

One day, as Zebina swept her broom a final time out the door, she looked out and saw a familiar figure coming down the path. Could it be? Was it? “Mary,” she cried. She ran down the path to meet her long-time friend and hugged her with tears of joy. “Oh. Mary, I can’t believe it’s really you. It’s been so long.”

“It’s so good to see you again, Zebina. I knew I had to find you first thing when we got back.”

“Come to the house and tell me where you have been all this time.” Just then, Zebina realized a boy stood behind Mary.

“Zebina, this is my son, Jesus.”

Zebina’s breath caught as she stared and realized this was the precious one that God had sent into this word as His son. “Jesus, I’m so happy to meet you.” The boy smiled. “Maybe you would like to meet my son. His name is Joash.” Jesus seemed pleased, so Zebina called out to Joash and he came running. The two boys ran off together, Joash excitedly leading the way.

“Zebina, you too have a son. We have so much catching up to do.”

“Why have you been gone so long?”

“That’s a long story.” Mary told of the journey to Bethlehem, the birth in a stable of all things, and the visit of shepherds who saw a mirage of angels declaring the birth of the Savior. Later, when Jesus was a small boy, some Magi came from the east to visit them.

“They brought expensive gifts,” Mary explained. “We couldn’t believe these gifts belonged to us. The travelers were warned to return to their country without going back through Jerusalem. That night the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said we must flee south to Egypt. That’s where we have been for the last few years.”

Zebina shook her head. “I can’t imagine all you have been through, but I’m so glad you’re back here with us again.”

Mary reached out to clasp Zebina’s hands. “And I’m so happy to be back here with you and all things familiar. Joseph hopes to continue his carpentry business again. Jesus helps him and is learning the trade.”

Zebina lowered her head in thought. “Mary, what is it like with Jesus?”

“He’s a fine son, Zebina, a tender, caring son. I am blest indeed.”

~ Joyce ~