Bethlehem, 2,014 years ago, in a certain cattle enclosure:
Joseph (Looking perplexed): Immaculate conception, huh.
Mary: Yes dear. Completely immaculate. The lord is great. I will praise his name forever.
Short pause. Joseph scratches his head, while looking at the new born baby.
Joseph: He looks slightly Chinese.
Mary: Well, he is supposed to be a saviour of the entire world. Perhaps Chinese are more acceptable worldwide. The lord is great, and his ways incomprehensible to us humans.
Joseph: Hmmm. Say, this angel who originally told you about your immaculate conception: was he Chinese?
Mary: No, he wasn’t. Look, what are you trying to drive at, Joseph?
Joseph: Nothing much. It’s just that, well, this is all a bit overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting our first baby to be Asian.
Mary: I know. The Lord of Hosts is quite overwhelming. But his ways are perfect, for the Lord is great. I will praise his name forever.
Joseph: There will be a lot of awkward questions from our friends and relatives.
Mary: You are over-thinking this whole thing, my dear. We should praise and worship the lord for giving us such a precious gift. Through us, the saviour of humankind has been born.
Joseph (Sighing): I suppose you are right.
All around the two new parents, the cattle chew cuds, and stomp their feet. A few burp. And Joseph continues to gaze at the new-born, a puzzled expression on his face.
Happy Festive Season, Everyone!
N/B: For access to all anecdotes in this series, check out List of all “Chronicles of YHWH” notes.
Random thoughts 