For those just joining us in our story-time, this is to inform you that what you are about to read is a brief re-telling of the story TWO FROM GALILEE, by Marjorie Holmes. It is entirely her idea, and a very few of my own words; it is mostly her version abbreviated. And it will continue daily until Jesus Christ the Babe is born . This began some time ago with an introduction to the blogs called, HEAR YE! AN AMAZING STORY. Enjoy!
As sunrise came they were again on the road. In vain, they tried to recapture the mood from the previous night, but there was too much concern about the events to come--the taxes, the census,, the birth of their baby. They plodded forward--to what? They did not know what they would find--or understand--but as their goal neared, they felt poor! And poorly prepared! And far from home!
On the way to Bethlehem they neared Jerusalem where they were to pay their taxes . And from side roads and hillsides, on camels, mules, or donkeys, some even on horseback, and still most of them on foot, from all sides came person after person come to pay their taxes. But Mary, too miserable to care about the Holy City, begged Joseph when he paused to give her a drink, "Hurry, Joseph......hurry!" Her lower lip was clenched, her cheeks pale, and he could see her knuckles whiten as she gripped her bundles.
He apologized, "Darling, I am hurrying--as fast as we can!" She nearly wept. "I know..... I know. Forgive me...it's just that...I don't know how much longer..." "Then let's stop," he interrupted, "Mary, if pains are beginning we cannot go on And we must get help!"
"No. No, we've got to go on to Bethlehem!" she said, but Joseph answered abruptly, "But it's at least 6 miles further! It may be night before we get there, the rate that we're going!"
"Then, I'll wait. somehow, I must wait." She gave a great shudder. Then, looking at him with clearer eyes, she relaxed. "I'll be all right. I've heard it said that sometimes it happens like this, that a spasm or two comes and you think labor has started! It sometimes takes a very long time to have a babe!"
Joseph tried to hurry, pleading with those in his path to let him pass by. "Please, it's urgent; my wife is ill!" Many let him pass, but one group of men yelled, "Then make'er stay home where she belongs," and they roared with laughter. There were very few women in the mob as only men were being counted.
After Jerusalem, it got a little cooler, but the donkey, over-burdened, could move only so fast as they climbed into the barren hills before Bethlehem. Mary held on, eyes closed, teeth set,,,and prayed. "Help us God! Delay the pains. Oh, God. and when they do come. let me not show the suffering. And help my dear Joseph and this poor beast that carries me." She could feel the donkey's wet and heaving sides, and saw foam from its lips being flicked onto the road.
Mary had to fight nausea now, along with a grinding ache that gnawed at her back. Then, waves of pain at her vitals made her want to double over, but she could not. But, she made herself sit erect and grimly hung on although she was jostled and pushed, sometimes causing her to lift up from her seat. "God--dear merciful God in heaven, please help us! Bring us to our refuge soon.!"
As the crowd of humanity surged, a coupe of Roman centurions on magnificent horses rode about, trying to keep order. " Don't crowd, get in line, get your belongings ready. The tax collectors will take you each in turn."
Joseph had left her side, but she was only dimly aware of it. He was speaking to the Centurion. Suddenly, the man wheeled his horse around and waved his whip above the crowd. "Let these people through!" Then he pulled up beside Mary. "Are you all right, Lady?" he asked. He was very young but still had the weight of authority in him. "Yes," she gasped. "Yes, thank you. Once we get inside...into the inn..." When he had broken a path and led them forward, he rode on and the crowd again closed in around them. The crowd's resentment showed as they muttered and shoved. Joseph, red with anger, adamantly tried to protect their place. And Mary suffered even more at what Joseph was having to endure.
But the weighing, measuring and assessing the value of possessions brought in to the city, proceeded slowly. As the collectors received a percentage, they made sure every item was counted. Finally, Joseph heard, "Next! Unload and be quick about it." All their poor possessions, even the lovingly wrapped packet of swaddling clothes. "Is that it?" the collector said with an amused glance at the other collector. "Yes," said Joseph with tight lips. But the collector wasn't quite done, "What about that thing your wife's sitting on? At least, I suppose it's your wife?" he joked, and the crowd laughed.
"Just an old robe that serves as a tent and to keep her warm at night,," Joseph said, again tightly. "Well--let's have it!" But, Joseph's contempt was beyond even that of the tormentor! "Can't you see my wife is in no condition to climb down! If there is a grain of decency in you--don't disturb her!"
"Let it be then," the man answered brazenly. "We'll take your word--one drachma for the old robe. That'll be five diners altogether. Pay up, pack up and move on."
Joseph brought the coins out Joachim had given him. Five dinars. Out of the twelve he had. It was robbery. He threw the coins onto the table and stuffed the things back in the bags. But at least they had cleared the gates and could find a place for Mary!
"It won't be long now, my dearest. Be brave. I'll soon have a place where you can rest." She nodded, too grateful to speak. But not too grateful to thank God!" (End of today's story.)
Birthing a baby brings a strange kind of pain--the kind that one seems to forget after the babe is finally held in the mother's arms. God's plan, I believe! (Be with us tomorrow?)
Jo INMN
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