Today is not the final episode of the story of the TWO FROM GALILEE by Marjorie Holmes. I hope you have enjoyed it thus far. If you started in the middle someplace and want to read it from the beginning, the blogs started with HEAR YE! AN AMAZING STORY, about Nov. 17. Beginning in a couple of days, I will revert to blogs from my daily study and journaling. As I learn, I will pass it along to you. I hope you will join me for those blogs coming nearly every day. Now, the next to last story from M. Holmes.
This night found Joseph standing at the stable door. He had been to the well for water. But the night was cold and clear, exhilarating, yet peaceful. He could not go in just yet. He stood savoring the moment's sweet communion and the pleasure he felt in his home.
The stable had been made more comfortable by the innkeeper's wife who brought down a table and bench from the inn, and a brazier to augment the fire pit. Now, it too glowed through the long cold nights. The ass was tethered in another stall, the floor swept of the straw, and fresh rushes had been strewn on the floor. The three of them were like mice in a nest, Joseph imagined.
Now, the forty days had passed and they must take little Jesus and travel to the Temple, to give an offering redeeming his birth. Joseph wondered if they should come back to Bethlehem and he would find work until Jesus was old enough for the hard and treacherous trip back to Nazareth. Would the star follow them? he wondered. Would it continue to blaze above their heads like a torch in the sky, lighting their way?
"Where now, star?" he muttered. "Will you guide me, lead me?" A quiet joy filled him for wherever they went they would be together, he and Mary. He was about to go inside when he heard the plunk of approaching hooves and the jingle of harness, and saw three camels seemingly flowing down the pathway of the inn. The grace and the elegance of the riders seemed somewhat like arrogance as they moved slowly forward.
Joseph thought it strange that no servant had stabled their mounts. He turned, not wishing to be seen, and was about to duck into the cave when one of the riders called out, "Wait! You there in the doorway." The camel drew nearer. "Tell me, is this the place where the new child lies?" But Joseph stood silent, rigid in apprehension. "Of course it is; it must be." The second rider was making a gesture of triumph toward the star right above the stable. "See, it no longer moves!"
"But, a stable? Surely, this cannot be a fit place for the birthplace of a king!" Joseph's heart had begun to beat heavily. These were men--great men of travel--and perhaps of learning. And Joseph was afraid. A fierce rebellion ballooned up in his chest. What did they want with Jesus? Were the momentous things revealed in the prophets about to begin--already?!? No, he said to himself, I will not have it, not yet! Not yet! The child is not ready! Joseph blocked the doorway as the strangers prepared to dismount, rapping the beasts on the neck so they would fold their legs and crouch.
"What do you want?" Joseph demanded. An answer came, "To see him. Is there not a newborn child within?" Joseph hesitated. "Only my wife and son." One man, handsome with curling black beard and teeth flashing white. The other two were fairer. All had the look of wisdom and splendor about them, and Joseph felt humbled. Their sense of purpose and their wills would not be denied easily.
"You are the father, then, of this holy child?" "I am the father of a month old son. Are not all children sacred in the sight of God?" Joseph answered. "Yes, yes. Truly it is so. But the stars have foretold this event for years and we have studied the stars. We are Magi from Persia and Chaldea, philosophers and physicians, and we have traveled for weeks following the star that stands over this doorway. It has become the sole purpose of our existence, my friend--to see him, if only for a few minutes. This child of yours is to change the course of all history--the One who is to become King of the Jews." The voice softened. "Surely you would not turn us away?"
Joseph, looking into the man's eyes, knew that his peaceful dream of the stable had ended, with the child at it's center and heart. For cradled in the manger lay the promised One, the man of destiny.
Joseph went to Mary, "It is the baby they want to see." He caught her hand and kissed it. " He who is one day to be King of the Jews." Mary closed her eyes. She, too, had set aside the truth and she was forced to remember her son's destiny. She picked her baby up and kissed him. Then, put him down in his wee bed. "Bid them to come in."
Soon she could hear the sound of sandals scuffing and the swish of robes as the grand men approached. They filled the room with their exotic strangeness and smelled of spices and perfume. One by one they knelt at her feet, there in the straw, and kissed the hem of her gown.They gazed then upon the baby, lingering as he smiled at them with his great liquid eyes and wiggled within his bindings as if he wanted to reach out to them. The men chuckled, and opening their embroidered shawls, presented their gifts--jars of precious myrhh and frankincense, a bolt of silk shot through with gold, and a ruby in a velvet case. "For the king," they said. "For the hope of the ages. And for you, his blessed mother," he said and draped a cashmere shawl about Mary's slight shoulders. "And for you, his father...." A leather bag of coins was pressed into Joseph's hand. "Use it to lighten your load, for it is a heavy load you must carry. And a long journey you must make." Joseph, surprised at this last remark said, "How so?" The men exchanged troubled glances. The tall Persian spoke, "Make haste to leave here. There are those in the land who would destroy this little king." "Herod?" Joseph blanched as he asked. "Yes, Herod. He is a madman. We mistakenly stopped in Jerusalem." Smiling lightly, he added, "Even wise men can make mistakes. Herod was unduly interested in the king we were seeking and made us promise to return to him if we found the king we spoke of."
"But we must go to Jerusalem to present the child at the temple," Joseph said. "Whatever the danger; it must be done." Their answer , "Whatever you do, don't return to Bethlehem!"
(End of today's story)
There will be one more story about the first Christmas, to be published here in a blog tomorrow.
Loving you at this precious time of the year, with a new year on its way!
JO INMN
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