' OH, BETHLEHEM!

And a happy, good Monday morning to all! We are continuing the story within the story of TWO FROM GALILEE, by Marjorie Holmes. Hope you will join us.


Joseph had let Mary sleep as long as he dared. Now, he must waken her.  "If we are to be off before daylight we must get started."  They were to be on their way to Bethlehem!  Mary could feel his strong hands lifting her up as she fought to awaken.  She gave herself over to his strength and still half asleep, leaned against him.  "Oh, Joseph.  I am so sorry..."  She was usually up before him.
"You will need your rest, my beloved," he said, and kissed her hair. "Dress warmly, it will be cold until the sun rises."


She shivered as she bathed, glad that the bread she had put to bake  on the coals the night before smelled ready to eat.  They ate hurriedly, a sense of urgency upon them, yet mixed with the excitement of taking a journey together.  And realizing that when they returned they may be returning with a baby! Underneath all the mixed feelings, a fear deep within added to their challenge.


As Mary tidied up, she found it hard to leave her new home--the gifts from their betrothal day and her lovely new table made by Joseph's hands.  When would she see it all again?  Yet she must go.
Joseph had made many trips in and out loading the donkey.  He had strapped a tent across its back, forming a saddle of sorts.  Packages containing dried foods, cooking vessels and extra clothing hung from the donkey's sides.  He even added some tools, having no idea how long they would be  gone.  He may have to find work along the way.  Now, for their next stop--to fill the water bags and they are ready to go.


It was growing lighter and a rooster crowed as Hannah and Joachim came down the hill.  Hannah, her selfishness forgotten, only had concern for Mary.  Fighting back her own tears, Mary kissed her mother's wet cheek.  Then Joseph lifted Mary up onto the donkey.  Heavy as she was, he lifted her easily.  Hannah noticed this, and for the first time acknowledged what her husband believed:  If any man could take care of Mary in her coming ordeal, that man was Joseph!


"Goodbye, be careful," Joachim said gruffly.  "Join up with a party, if you can.  The route through the hills may hold robbers."  He moved closer to Joseph, "Take this; you'll need it," and he pressed a few coins into Joseph's hand.  "For the little one," he added.  Joseph answered with cheer, "Don't worry.  God will be with us!  Joachim knew he must let them go, "Yes, yes, God will be with you."  But he raised his hand with a further blessing, "God be with you and keep you, my children."


And the three, the donkey carrying Mary with Joseph beside her progressed down the street.  As Hannah stared after them, she whispered, "Oh, God, help them!"  And Joachim echoed her thought, "He'll help them, for He is leading them on the journey.  He is taking them to the city of David which is Bethlehem."  Joachim continued to gaze after the donkey and its burden as it first would appear, then disappear in and out of the morning fog. "But thou, O Bethlehem," he quoted from the Book of Micah, "though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler of Israel..."  Joachim's voice shook even as he felt Hannah's hand trembling on his arm.  "Therefore," he went on, "will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth..."  Hannah's fingers had gripped his hand hard, making him stop speaking.
 
"Bethlehem!" she said, "she who is in travail!"  The great knowledge awoke in her and Hannah's face broke from the enormous grip of knowing the truth of it and she dissolved into tears and lifted her face to heaven.  "Oh, God!  Why did you deny me this truth for so long? My God!  My God!"


Joachim, wordlessly, drew her to him.  Still crying she said, "I know. I must have known...but I didn't dare...after all my vanity and pride."  Far below them, the road emerged from the fog and the parents could see clearly the three of them--donkey, the tall man walking beside it and their daughter, so small upon the beast.  Hannah began to run, breaking away from Joachim, calling, "Mary!  Mary!"  But Joachim caught her and restrained her, even as she wept wildly, "Let me go. Let me give her at least this--I believe.  Oh, Mary, I too believe!  (End of today's part of story)


I believe, too.  Do you believe also?  I hope you can find God in your heart, for without Him, I wonder how anyone can believe this incredible story!  Yet, it is as real as my own self.  And you cannot see me in person, either.  Can you?


Your friend in Him,
Jo INMN