Written below is my experience of our Bethlehem Trek in the
small town of Bala Ontario, Canada. Animals listed were real ones, including the
dead fish for sale at the market.
Saturday Dec 6 we were summoned by Cesar Augustus to return
to the land of our fathers , King David, to be counted in a census and pay our
taxes.
At 6 p.m. we arrived to join the line where it all began. The stars twinkled above on this clear night
and the moon shone to light our way as we
inched toward the door of the great hall (community center). In the distanced we could see the doors of
the great hall open and group of travelers were ushered into a place
of warmth before the door closed again.
Although we waited for 1 ½ hours it did not seem long. The night was mild and we passed the time
conversing with the other travelers.
Some lived nearby, others had already traveled a great distance.
Children bundled up slid down the local
snow banks. Carolers from the Mennonite
church and the local Bethlehem choir sang.
Occasionally a servants would walk down the road and call out “Camel coming, make room”. Sometimes
there was even a caravan of 3 or 4
camels, (cars). Finally we stood on the steps of the great
hall. We would be next. The doors opened and Dave and I were let in
with the rest of our family, 4 or 5 teen
girls, a mother, father and their 2
children.
The gate keeper gave us our Census paper, and said, “You are from the family of David. Most
importantly , do not loose your Census paper. The Roman soldiers could demand
it at any time.
If you loose it you will not be let in and not counted, and risk jail time.
You are family number
two. Go in take seat, enjoy the
carolers. When you see the servant
holding up Roman numeral II, join your
family at the back door. It should take about ½ an hour.”
We enjoyed the Mennonite choir and sang carols with the Bethlehem choir. The majesty told us of
the baby that was born that night to come save us all. The servant held up plaque number XIV, then XV and so on. How high did the numbers go, I wondered. The time pasted quickly. Dave said, “Number one, we’re next”.
Our small, but poor
family gathered at the back where we met our sister Naomi. Naomi greeted us and we greeted each other before we set
out on our long journey to Bethlehem
Naomi made sure we had our tax papers, she had the money for the tax
collectors.
No sooner had began
then we were met by a friendly guard. “Who goes there and where do you travel.”
“I am Naomi and this is my family. We are on our way to Bethlehem. Do you know how long it will take?”
“Many days, five or six. You best be on you way” answered the guard. We bid him goodbye and
continued.
We met many people and saw wondrous things on our trek.
A young couple, Abigail and Zachariah invited us into their
humble home for bite to eat. Their
donkey waited outside to carry Abigail
to Bethlehem for she was with child.
Naomi politely declined their offer for we needed to hurry on.
A servant came out to greet us on the road lit with
lanterns. “My Maters are following a start to Bethlehem, to worship a baby the new king. They would like to speak to
you.”
"We are also going to Bethlehem, but we have not seen a star," Naomi said to the servant.
On the table in front of the 3 kings were gifts. One king spoke, "We have come from the east and are following the star, spoke about many years ago. We have come to worship the new born king and bring him these gifts.” They showed us the gifts gold for a king, myrrh and Frankincense for
his burial. Strange they would bring
perfumes to prepare a body for burial to a new born baby. We warmed ourselves by their fire, bowed goodbye and continued.
Suddenly, in the heavens, a bright light shown and host of
angels sang 'Glory to God on The High'.
Beautiful, wonderful no words can describe it.
Along the road Roman shoulders,
beat their swords upon their shields, "Halt! Show us your paper’s,” one stabbed his sword at the children and coarsely asked, “Is that your name on your paper.” Once they saw that are papers were in good order
they allowed us to continue.
We came upon a Sheppard tending his flock.
The Sheppard greeted us. “I raise sheep for the Jewish sacrifice
to our God. They must be perfect for
God, no disease, sore or blemishes. “ The
three in his pen looked plump and healthy with their thick winter wool
coats, perfect for sacrifice.
With great excitement and joy the Sheppard said, “While tending our flocks a brilliant host of angels appear in the sky singing “glory to God on high.” They told us 'fear not for we bring you good news. A baby was born in a manger who
is the Messiah'. For generations we have passed on the story of the Messiah who
will come to rescue us.” He looked puzzled. “We thought our Messiah would come as
a man and rescue us from the tyranny of the Roman empire. He came as a infant baby.”
We bid him good-by and continued on our journey anxious to
see the baby so many spoke of.
Finally we arrived at Bethlehem. The gate to the city was guarded by Roman
soldiers.
“Who goes there.” they
demanded.
Naomi , who had fallen behind the young girls stepped
forward and said, “I am the head of the
family and we are a few from the house of David.”
“If you are the leader, why are these people in front of you? You are not
a very good leader.” The guard jabbed his
sword at our teenage girls.
“Their legs are much younger than mine and walk faster than
I do, sir,” quickly replied Naomi.
“Line up in single file, “ commanded the soldier. “Quickly!”
We were tired and did not move quickly.
“Over there.” he pointed to a
building with two officials. “They will
stamp your papers and collect the taxes.” We
filed through the gate.
Naomi stepped to the table.
“How many have you,” asked the tax man.
“16.”
“That will be 32 denaro.”
Naomi stammered, “
Sir I was told it would cost one dinaro, per person. I only have 16 dinaros. We are but a poor family.”
The tax collector was probably tired too, for many people
had come that day. “Step forward. Show me your papers so I may stamp them."
One by one we laid
our paper on the table. I jumped when the guard’s sword came swiftly upon my
sisters paper. “Upside down,” he
shouted. She turned it the right way,
got it stamped and entered the market.
Merchants sold their wares in booths, along the road.
Dressed chickens hung up and live ones
in their cages at the poultry man’s stall. A lady was trying to sell three goats to a
fellow traveler . I only saw two
goats. Perhaps one was in the barn, or she
was not being truthful, gouging the cost of goats due to the multitude of
people.
“Fresh fish, get your fresh fish here,” called another vendor.
“These fish look frozen not fresh,” I said.
“The cold night air froze them.” The main selection looked to be large mouth
bass.
A young maiden across the lane sold grains, fresh fruit and
vegetables. “I’m and hungry after this
long journey, but I have no money. “ I told her.
She was sympathetic with me. “The Romans do take our money
for their taxes.”
I moved on to the merchant with his copper pans and oil
lamps. Compared to our clay pots back home these were well crafted and
beautiful. Oh for a souvenir to bring
back home, I wished. I kept moving and
saw two ponies tied to a fence. Were
they for sale or perhaps as travelers transportation?
Naomi gathered us together.
At last we found the Inn, a warm place to sleep and food in our
bellies. She knocked. The Inn keeper stuck his head out the door. He scanned us
weary travelers. “I am so sorry, but there is no room in the inn. The Roman soldiers and their horses have
taken up every square inch I have.” We thanked him for being kind, hung our heads and traveled
on.
Up above was the glow of a warm fire pit. A prophet greeted us. We warmed by the fire as he spoke. “I have great news to tell you. Follow the star,” he pointed to it. “and you shall find a baby
in a manger. He is the messiah which was
told in the book of Isaiah.”
The long journey and the many things we had heard along our
travels, were true. Up ahead was the
baby. Mary and Joseph quietly sat
watching the baby Jesus asleep in the manger.
We could not help but sing Away in a Manger. The lowly cow bedded down eating his grain on
one side of the stable. A sheep looked on from the other side.
Our journey was almost at the end. Naomi told us the wonders of why
Jesus came to this earth. That could find His peace if we worshiped Him like the Wise Men did.
At last we
found rest in our hearts and in a inn, (the arena). It was crowded, but we were able to get a
refreshment of hot chocolate and a cookie.
The tables were full. A bench
along the wall was comfort enough. A few
of our neighbors were resting too.
Talking to familiar people was a refreshment in itself after this long
but joyous journey.
I pray you will find the peace that Jesus brings.
I put enough plaster to cover the bowl then put a coat hanger shaped in a circle over the plaster. The wire reinforces the plaster. A second batch of plaster was made which was poured over the first plaster in the mold. Plaster sets up fast so only make small batches. I was too slow with the first batch and it set up in the bucket.
