Again, thanks to M. Holmes for her book TWO FROM GALILEE. This blog is my rendition based on her book and the story of Mary and Joseph. Some of her details I have copied, but all of the thoughts were originally from her mind and from the Bible. Again, the story continues:
Word of a decree had only just reached Nazareth and Joseph, hearing it discussed in his shop, was angry. "New taxes are going to be levied throughout the entire Roman world, and to make sure no one fails to pay up, they are taking a new census. They've ordered every adult male to proceed at once to the place of his birth to be registered and counted. For me that means Bethlehem."
The family, having dinner together at Hannah's table, stared at him as they recognized the difficulties which were presented by this news. "But you can't leave Mary!" someone said. Joachim answered, scowling, "He's got no choice To defy those swine would mean imprisonment! As if our taxes aren't already high enough."
But he hushed, for there was still a constant in their lives, and the trumpets blew, signaling the time for the Sabbath lamps to be lit. "In the light shall we see light," he prayed. The sweet wine was poured, cool to the taste from the tinkling cups and they each tried to be at peace. And afterward, when the Scripture was usually discussed, they could speak of nothing but the latest insult and its terrible complications for Joseph and Mary, especially.
"I'll have to prepare for the trip as soon as the Sabbath ends," Joseph told Joachim. "I should leave early in the week. Fortunately, my brothers can register here and look after the shop." It was then that he looked over at Mary, who was helping clear the table. "As for Mary, my mother will look after her."
Hannah turned swiftly, "We'll look after her." She felt thrilled to think of bringing the child into the world with her own hands. "Hmmn," she thought, "A late but undeniable squaring of accounts!" It seemed to Hannah that life was always unfair to her.
But, Mary quietly crossed the room to stand by Joseph, "I want to go with you," she said.
"Mary, my beloved,! You can't, you mustn't! Joseph quickly spoke, and Hannah jumped right up and said, "He's right. It's unthinkable. The mountains are treacherous in the winter..and the night freezing. You might lose the child!"
"I cannot lose the child," Mary quietly said.
"And what if your time comes out in the wilderness--among the jackals? or somewhere along the road?" Hannah, in a frenzy, accosted Joachim who was regarding his daughter strangely.
"We will take shelter," Mary said. "We will be safe."
"Mary," Joseph gripped her hands, "Mary, you had better listens to your mother." And at this, Hannah pleaded with Joachim, "Speak to her!" she begged, Surely Joachim would not yield to Mary when so important an issue was at stake, "You're her father; she'll listen to you!"
Joachim ran his trembling hand against his grizzled jaw and slowly began to shake his head, "She must do what she must do."
And Mary said, "I must go with my husband. I must journey with him to Bethlehem."
(End of today's story)
And that is how Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Each one of us has our own story, too. Where we were born and why we were born there. What kind of circumstances had me born in a hospital in Chicago, IL? I was born during the 30's Great Depression, and there was only one hospital in that
city which would take patients who could not afford to pay. Therefore, I was a hospital baby! Most children were born at home in that day. What's your story?
Loving each of you,
Jo INMN
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