A Dramatic Monologue

It is in the early hours of that first Christmas morn. In a natural cave just outside the city of Bethlehem is a young man, his even younger wife, and a newly-born child. The babe is nestled snugly in an animal-feeding trough deep inside the cave. Darkness still prevails, though the night has a thousand eyes with a myriad of stars. It will be several hours before dawn. The young man, Joseph, with the help of a midwife, has just helped in the delivery of his newborn son. The young woman, Mary, lies exhausted, leaning against the back wall of the cave on a straw mat. She is sleeping peacefully, as is the tiny infant. Joseph, however, is wide awake.

The midwife has left and returned to her family. Joseph's mind is keenly alert, though physically, he is exhausted. He wou…