Birth of the Messiah

Chapter Sixteen

Arm-in-arm, the two strolled through the main doors. Olivia, Omar, and the others trailed closely behind. Word had spread fast throughout the compound. Glowing faces lined the upstairs hall as Mother made her way pass. She paused along the way to chat with a few old friends before moving on.
One small child was still awake pass her bedtime and clinging to her mother’s leg. Mother stopped abruptly, her twinkling eyes peered down at the child. “Baby, why are you not asleep in your bed?” Mother asked, brushing the sandy brown wisp of hair from the child’s tiny face.

“Are you the one they call Mother?” asked the child, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Yes, my child, I am she,” Mother responded, with an amused chuckle.

“How can you be everybody’s mother?” Mother’s chuckles swelled into laughter.

“It has not always been easy. Before I leave we will have lunch together and I will tell you, but only if you promise to thank God tonight in your prayers for the gift we are about to receive.” Happily, the child agreed, and Mother beamed a loving smiled and continued on to Valora’s room.

Omar remained behind as the three women entered. Hours passed, yet the halls remained lined with clan members. Many prayed together while others sat in silent meditation stirred by a feeling, mystic in nature. Omar sat silently off to himself. For the first time since he was a child, he lowered his head in prayer.
Hours would pass before the door to Valora’s room opened and Mother would step from the room. She was instantly surrounded.

“My children, remember this day in your hearts, let it never fade from your memories, for you are witnesses to the dawning of a new age.” Turning to Omar, “Son, we’re going to need some things; there are some arrangements that must be tended to.” She handed him a list, squeezed his hand, beamed a joyous smile then turned and disappeared back inside.

Throughout the next day and into the night, the storm blanketed the city. The wind toyed with the lamppost outside until they swayed like palm trees in a tropical squall. Lightening ripped the sky, playing havoc with the generators, forcing Bomber to shut them down.

Candles lit the rooms and the halls. Except for the dazzling flashes of light from the outside, they provided the only source of illumination. The flickering flames conjured up ghostly shadows on the walls and ceiling. No one strayed from the hospital corridor. Not even those scheduled for kitchen duty, since no one could eat.

The vigil lasted late into the next night with anticipation building.
Beyond the bedroom door, all was still. The room was sealed against the breach of all but the most holy of spirits. Four large candles lit the room. The smell of burning sage filled the air. Valora sat propped up in bed, legs spread, beads of sweat cascading down her face, a soaked hospital gown stretching across her plump belly.

Olivia stood beside Valora gently swaying in a trance-like state. Mother prayed over Valora while sprinkling her with water from a porcelain washbasin. Except for the sounds of Valora’s soft, rhythmic panting and the occasional scream brought on by the contractions, Mother’s appeal to the Holy Spirit was the only sound heard.
As Mother’s voice swelled in intensity, a needle of light, resembling a tiny star, shone from the ceiling just above Valora. The speck of light slowly widened into a portal.

From the swirling vortex poured forth an ethereal blue light as bright as twin suns colliding, yet as soft as a Tahitian sunrise. Valora’s labor was spotlighted by the resplendent illumination. With her screams, the walls, ceiling, and floor trembled and shook before tearing from their supports.

Whirling galaxies and an extravaganza of shooting stars provided an iridescent backdrop. Suspended in space with the whole of existence watching in magnificent anticipation, Valora gave birth. The divine moment held the past, present, and future transfixed in an infinite instance.

While time was at a standstill inside, outside hours had passed. The storm died and the calm returned. A stimulating scent of almonds and vanilla sweetened the air. All eyes lay focused on the door to Valora’s room.

Out of the silence, like an enchanting melody, came the wailing of a newborn. The clan’s response was euphoric. Moved by a mystical force, the clan sang, laughed, and cried. With the dawn, Valora, baby in her arms, strolled out into the hall. Omar was the first to greet them. Then they turned to the waiting clan.

“Everyone, this is Jason, and Jason, this is your family in life and in all things,” said Mother. As the clan gathered around, Valora lowered her bundle of joy so that the small children could see the infant and touch his tiny fingers. The children claimed that they could see a glow of light around him. In veneration, they welcomed their clan’s newest member into the fold.


American Messiah