Our Christmas Stories
For our Christmas service this year, members of our Writers’ Community challenged ourselves to take a character from the Christmas story and write a creative piece about what happened, and how the person felt. This could be set it in any time period and any genre (playful or serious), so we used our imaginations, and sometimes embellished a little.
After Dianne had read Mary’s Song (Luke 46-55 (MSG), these original pieces were shared during the service, which was sprinkled with carol singing and thought provoking prayer. For those of you who couldn’t join us that morning, we share them here for your enjoyment.
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Mary’s Song
Luke 46-55 (MSG)
And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now. -
ELIZABETH’S STORY
16 Dec. 2025
Knees a’ creaking, bones a’ aching,
The eve of day draws nigh.
Wishing we had had a son,
To help these years pass by.
Years of yearning, heart a churning,
My despair and shame runs deep.
Barren like a dried up well,
The taunts have made me weep.
I’ve watched others, with their babes,
Cradled in their arms.
Longed and wept, so desolate,
No comfort in the Psalms.
Zech’s at work, He’s burning incense,
To keep the temple pure.
An angel comes, he’s terrified
And shocks him, that’s for sure!
God’s angel speaks, he gives a promise,
The power of God acute!
Zech’s disbelieving, questions him,
And this has left him mute.
The angel said, a son we’ll have,
A prophet, he will be.
To prepare the way, and tell the world,
The Lord will come to thee.
Our joy, delight, this child will be
And God revealed his name
God is gracious, full of love
And Zechariah wrote the same
Some months later, baby growing
‘I truely am with child’
There is a knock, a voice, a calling
I looked and then I smiled
It’s cousin Mary, she’s walked for miles,
she has some news to bring
She has a story, strange but true
And she begins to sing
My baby jumps, inside of me
When Mary’s voice he hears
As if he knows, the chosen one
His presence now appears.
God’s angel has visited,
And God has chosen her
A son to bear, though, this time God’s
A miracle to occur.
We take some time, some weeks some months
To hold each other’s story
Our hearts are glad, our God above
To Him belongs the glory
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Joseph’s story
Well it’s here now – the baby, I mean – all wrinkled and noisy – and Mary can’t stop gazing at him, a look of wonder all over her face…
But what a crazy year it's been – we were all set – the marriage was arranged – the dowry paid – and I was looking forward to a big celebration with my family and friends. And then she comes up with this weird story of being pregnant without sleeping with anyone.
Of course I got the blame – but it wasn’t me, I swear it! She kept going on about some visit from an angel – about the father being God. So her folks packed her off to her aunt’s place near Jerusalem to see if she could sort Mary out.
But instead she came back even more convinced and with a belly that clearly indicated that this was no dream. At this point, I was prepared to just quietly walk away from marrying her – let her find the father and he could have her.
But then I had a dream – the weirdest of dreams – this angel telling me that God was in on it, that I should still marry her, and that the baby would be some sort of king…
You can imagine how that went down at home – my Dad said that I would be a fool to go ahead with the marriage - that we were both as mad as each other, and that we would only bring shame on both our families. I stuck to my guns and eventually they caved in – they said that there would be no wedding celebration, we could live in the old shed out the back – but that we needed to keep our heads down and not be seen together.
Then just before the baby is due, the Romans call for a census and everyone has to go to their home town – Bethlehem in our case. But of course, the family wouldn’t hear of us travelling with them – we the outcasts could borrow a donkey and make our own way there – and make sure that you stay away from the rest of us!
As if that wasn’t bad enough, on the last few k’s into Bethlehem, Mary starts moaning and complaining about the pain in her belly – we had to find somewhere fast and eventually we crashed in an old barn out the back of some dive of a hotel. Mary was going full on by this stage and it wasn’t long before this little fella arrived – poor kid – what a place to come to – born to a couple of mixed up kids, kicked out of their families and all alone, except for this mysterious God thing…
What a year!
-
<waking up>
Groaning… yawning…
Wow – what a night. Boy… I feel like I’ve been run over by a herd of camels…
Hang on – was that a dream?
Did we really see angels?
I think so – but it feels like a dream…
We were watching the sheep – and this angel turns up, talk about freaking us all out. It was terrifying!
Next thing the sky is full of heaps of angels – singing! It was crazy.
And we all went into town and saw this baby – can he really be the Messiah? A baby?
Boy – we need to tell everyone about this – but who are going to believe us?
We are just a bunch of shepherds
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Dear beloved wife,
Man - You choose a terrible time to go visit your mother! This census has turned the town upside down! I’ve never seen Bethlehem so busy, the traffic is a nightmare.
It took me more than 3 times it usually takes to get to the market and back! People were yelling at each other, the place is a bombsite.
Anyway – that is not the craziest thing. I had this couple turn up wanting a room, and you know we’ve had the no vacancy sign up for days, I mean people booked ages ago for this.
I was pretty grumpy, they arrived really late and woke me up. I was ready to give them a piece of my mind when I looked into the woman’s eyes… It stopped me in a moment. I noticed something that is hard to describe.
Then I saw she was pregnant – I mean really pregnant. Like – really, really pregnant. I panicked – I wish you were here, you would have known what to do.
But those eyes… she was so young… so vulnerable… and clearly exhausted. And I also saw a peace – a look that I’ve never really seen before. It drew me in. What was inside her?
So…. Now I know, I know - you’re not going to like this… but I said they could stay in the cave with the animals… you could say they were so desperate and I caved in to them… Now don’t roll your eyes, I know you’ll be laughing… Tell little Johny that one – he will be missing my jokes…
They seemed so relieved… and I showed them where it was.
Then I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, and tossed and turned. I boiled some water and took it down to them – and I got just outside the door then I heard it. A babies cry. I snuck a look through the crack in the door – honestly honey, you should have seen it.
Next thing I hear a group coming so I hid, and it was the local shepherds – you know who I mean, we hardly ever see them in town. But they rushed in, all excited, babbling about angels and singing….
There was a hush as they gathered around the manger. Ah… yep, they put the baby in the manger – and before you get all upset, it wasn’t my idea! But it was pretty creative you have to admit. And no I don’t know if they cleaned it out first.
In the hush - I thought I was hearing things… a Messiah? No way – wait, what??
A Messiah. Who will bring peace. I couldn’t help it, I snuck inside the door for a better look. I know – we never go into guests rooms without permission – but it is hardly a room.
Then the woman – she looked up at me – and our eyes met. Those eyes. That peace. It drew me in – I want that peace. I’ll do anything for that peace.
Come home soon. You’ll love these guys. I’m not sure how long they will be around,
All my love
Jim
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Balthassar Hi I’m Balthassar
Melchior Melchior (nods)
B I remember how it started , me and Melchior in the observatory.
(staring up)
Wise men they call us
Staring at the stars (points, M looks)
This means plant early (shifts finger)
That means time for war (shitfs finger)
(M nods frowns)
That one a great king is to be born (points to kid on chair at back with flashlight)M A what?! A King where does it say that
B Look, just past the perihilon, south-west a bit
M Ah, so it does, and that would indicate a King of who?
B the Jews
M the Who?
B the Jews
M who are they?
B (sighs) go and read this. (Hands Torah) (M grimaces takes it leaves)
Several hours later
M (comes back of stage), Ah yes, the Jews. Not the Romans? been hearing a bit about them!
B No, the Jews
M So, what’s that got to do with us.
B We, need to go, and pay homage, with gifts.
M Why?
B Because it’s our job, come on you, get you out of the city, see the world a bit, meet a new King, bit of an adventure (slaps M on arm)
M You mean, months across the desert to this Jerusalem backwater, on a camel, with just falafel, following a star?
B You got it!
M (sighs) OK?
So we set off and after many months got to Jersualem, and eventually got an audience with the Herod the local ruler – and when we told him about the new King. and Herod said
B as H (put on crown, sits down) So what you’re trying to tell me is that as a King (points to himself) put here on sufferance but the Romans, while working with a stroppy bunch of religious fruitcakes on one hand, and fending off frequent attacks by political radicals on the other, that there is a ‘new King’ and you want to know where to find him?
M Yup
B as H let me just consult my advisors
Leaves – M twiddles thumbs looks at sky - B as H comes back
B as H (sits down) Ok, I’m delighted to tell you ‘hot diggity dog’ that there might be somethhing to this – try Bethlehem, and do tell me if you find him, I’d love to come and worship him.’
M OK
B (takes off crown) Strange man
M Yep, so which way is Bethlehem?
B Don’t know, but see the star is getting brighter (kid on chair with flashlight)
M Sure is (shielding eyes)
B Here, I brought these (put on sunglasses)
After following the star for a few more days we found Bethlehem (follow kid round with flashlight), and the right house (kid turns off light does thumbs up) we do thumbs up back (kid sits down).
M Are you sure this is it, doesn’t look like much.
B It’s where the star brought us.
M Sure is, so we’re going in?
B Yup – take off the sunglasses
M Yes, almost forgot.
So we brought Jesus, gold, frankinsense and myrrh and were amazed that this little baby would one day be a King.
M Wow, that was pretty amazing, life – changing even.
B Worth the months of travel?
M Yup
B And the camel smell?
M Yup
B And the never-ending falafel
M Yup, so do we go back to Herod now?
B Nah, had a dream last night that said we should give him a pass – more good news though, the dream also said I should go visit the local scroll seller and pick up this! (hands him scroll)
M Wow, Fatima’s Fifty Fabulous ways with Falafel! Yeah – Best Road Trip Ever!
B So we trekked back home and then
M and B Lived Happily Ever After. (both bow).
