In my country where there are still midwives, who still assist at birth, we have a legend about an ancient midwife who assisted at the birth of Christ long ago on the night that Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea. For this reason all Midwives are sacred to us and they are honored with gifts during the Christmas Season. The legend had it that when King Herod heard about the birth of Jesus he was so worried that he brought together to his palace his elders, historians, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, the prophets, astronomers, and other soothsayers to confirm the rumor that he had heard about the baby Jesus and where he would be born. After long hours of deliberations with the king was informed that the baby was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. The king therefore sent for the local midwife thinking that naturally she would be the logical person to know about the birth of a new baby.

Anna was her name and she lived in Bethlehem and everyone called her Anna the midwife. Legend had it that she was a kind and gentle woman who inherited her profession of midwifery from her mother who inherited it from her own mother. It was a family tradition to take care of all the women in the community. A few days after she was summoned to appear before King Herod. Finding that she knew of the baby, Herod said to her, In the name of God who rules Heaven and Earth tell me what happened that night?” Anna replied, “God bless you king Herod, God bless you King Herod, and all your court. But I know nothing, except it was a strange and peaceful night.” Then she began to relate all that she knew and this was her testimony.

“It was the Boy Achmed, the errand boy at the Inn, who came to get me. Being a young boy he was very excited. I had seen him on many occasions before. Therefore, it was not strange for Achmed to rush into my gate. Achmed was out of breath as usual because he had been running as fast as his legs could carry him from the Inn. The Inn was full of guests and there were no more available rooms. The Innkeeper was busy taking care of all the guests while his wife, Safia took care of the preparation of food for the guests. The Innkeeper was happy because the Inn was full of paying guests and so at first did not see the man with the pregnant wife at the door of the Inn. It was a apparent that they had been traveling for days. and were very tired and dusty. There was something about them hat was different although one could not say exactly what it was.

They looked gentle and kind, but unlike the other guests they did not argue or complain or make demands. The Innkeeper looked at them and said, “There is no room tonight in the Inn.” Then the strange man made an unusual request of the innkeeper, “Sir, look at my wife. She is heavy with a child and we think the baby is due any moment now. Don’t you have a simple place for us just to rest from our long journey?” When the Innkeeper finally raised his head something strange happened to him at the very moment he looked into the couples’ eyes. As he looked into their eyes it seemed that the innkeeper became somewhat possessed. The man said, “Sir, my wife is Mary and my name is Joseph, the carpenter. We have been traveling for a long time. As you can see Innkeeper, my wife is ready to have our baby.” The Innkeeper replied, “Well Joseph the carpenter, we have no room for you and Mary due to all the guests who are here for the census.” Joseph then said, “We are here Innkeeper because I am of the family of our father David. My wife traveled with me and she is soon to give birth.” Somehow, the Innkeeper’s heart was touched that night and he asked Achmed, the errand boy to show them to the stable. Humbly and with great thanks in his voice, Joseph said, “That is fine and may the Lord bless you Innkeeper!”

Achmed did as he was instructed and led Joseph and Mary to the stable where he helped them to settle among the horses, goats, cows, donkeys, and the sheep. There was also a camel with a baby since a Mother camel would never move without her baby. As soon as they had settled in Mary became ill and Joseph asked Achmed to fetch a midwife. This is how Achmed arrived at my door out of breath. And so King Herod I followed Achmed with great haste through the crowded streets until we arrived at the stable at the Inn. Upon arrival I discovered that the baby had already been born and Mary had dressed her baby in clothes and laid him on a bed of hay. I did what I could to make them comfortable because the night was cold. That same night some shepherds arrived at the stable from the fields around Bethlehem and told a strange story to all of us. while Mary listened very carefully. As I said before I know very little King Herod, but this was their story.

They described how an angel appeared to them and almost frightened them, but the angel calmed their fears, by asking them not to be afraid, “Do not be afraid.” said the Angel, “ We have some good news for you and people everywhere. This news will make everybody happy. Tonight, this very night in Bethlehem a child has been born for the world. His name is Jesus the Christ. Go now shepherds and you will find him wrapped in baby clothes and lying in a bed of hay.” At that moment the shepherds heard a heavenly choir singing and as they said many more angels joined them. And this was the reason they had come to the stable. They called the baby, Jesus. And Mary and Joseph wondered how they could have known the name Mary called the baby. They were not surprised because this was the name the angels had told them was the name of the baby. The shepherds were not surprised but continued to sing, “Praises to God in Heaven and Peace on Earth to everyone who pleases God”

Anna the midwife, continued her story. By this time a crowd had gathered and everyone listened and was surprised. Then the King inquired the whereabouts of the shepherds. Anna replied, “The last time we saw them they were on their way back to their sheep, happy, praising God and saying wonderful things because everything they had heard was just as the angel had told them. I tell you King Herod it was a strange night but there was a wonderful feeling in the air. When we looked at the baby it was as if one was looking at the face of God. We were again reminded that we live with tradition, faith, and change. This, dear King is all I know. It was a magical night, I know that magic is not real, but this was real and incredible night and experience. The wonder of this Holy night. God of our fathers, of Isaac and Jacob. What a wonderful night when God’s splendor and might were manifested.” Legend had it that Herod dismissed Anna the Midwife and called others. King Herod tried in many ways to find the Child but never did. Legend had it that he looked at all the wrong places .

So it has been the tradition with my people to honor all midwives during this Holy Season of all seasons. Remembering what one faithful and lonely midwife long ago did for the Son of God among us.