Two Voices

I found a paper folded in a old Christmas book my mother had given me from her library. It gave me a thrill to read the words written on the paper and it was nice to see a handwritten note at the top that said, "Beulah-part A is yours. Thanks for helping. Lorrie" Beulah is my mother. The scripture reading is entitled, "King of the Jews" and was arranged by Dale E. Jones.
It was written for two voices. 'VOICE A should be read by a soft voice-this is the traditional Christmas story. VOICE B should be in contrast, a more strident tone-the story of Christ's rejection, crucifixion-with a jubilant tone as the resurrection is told.'

A: And it came to pass in those days, that there went up a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

B: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

A: And Joseph also went up from Galilee.

B: When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean, and as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod.

A: Out of the city of Nazareth

B: Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

A: Into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews?"

B: "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself."

A: "For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

B: And all his acquaintances stood afar off, beholding these things.

A: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.

B: From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

A: And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

B: For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles.

A: "For unto you is born this day..."

B: And shall be mocked.

A: "In the city of David..."

B: And spitefully entreated.

A: "A Saviour..."

B: And spit on

A: "Which is Christ the Lord."

B: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

A: And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

B: And having said this, he gave up the ghost.

A: And she brought forth her firstborn son,

B: And when Joseph had taken the body

A: And wrapped him in swaddling clothes

B: And wrapped it in a clean linen cloth

A: And laid him in a manger

B: And laid it in his own new tomb

A: Because there was no room for them in the inn

B: Wherein never man before was laid.

A: And when they were come into the house,

B: Upon the first day of the week,

A: They saw the young child with Mary his mother

B: They came unto the sepulchre,

A: and...they presented unto him gifts

B: Bringing the spices which they had prepared.

A: Gold and frankincense, and myrrh.

B: They found the stone rolled away. Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments;

A: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

B: They said; "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

A: "Glory to God in the highest,"

B: "He is not here."

A: "And on earth, peace, good will toward men."

B: "He is risen!"

A: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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I just got Phil to read it with me. It's like seeing the Alpha and the Omega all at the same time; Christ's beginnings on earth and His ending. And Mary was there at His birth and at His death. And she was there at Pentecost, too, when He sent His Spirit to take the place of His flesh here on earth. And someday soon, I will get to meet this Blessed of All Women, who was the first to feel God stirring in her womb; who was first to hold God in her arms and on her lap.

O God, I want to know what that was like!
I want to hold You as a baby in my arms.

And I hear You say, "Whatever you do to the least of these,
that you do to me."
And I am comforted.
For when I hold the little ones,
I am holding You.