25/12/1977,
Christmas Eve Mass at Nabala parish center was packed with parishioners who had come by bus, truck and on foot. The well-practiced hymns were sung with gusto. After Mass we drank yaqona in relaxed celebration. I said Mass on Christmas morning in one of the villages in the parish and then returned to the presbytery for Christmas lunch. I was wakened from my afternoon sleep by knocking at the door. “There is a lady who came here for Mass last night who is about to give birth. Could you drive her to Labasa hospital please?” came the request.
I got up and prepared the van. The men decided that it would be best for the lady to lie on a mattress in the tray of the van. We set out. It was hot and dusty. I tried to drive as carefully as I could to avoid jolting her but with as much speed as I could muster to get to the hospital before she gave birth. I felt like a present-day Joseph worrying about a very pregnant Mary and trying to get her to a resting place before the baby arrived.
We arrived at a quiet Labasa hospital with just a minimum of staff and a few visitors. We were directed to the Maternity ward and helped the exhausted lady to her bed. We withdrew to the Labasa presbytery. We were happy to hear later that the child was delivered safely and both he and his mother were doing well. He was a Christmas baby indeed.
by Fr. Frank Hoare
