Flight to Egypt E-Book

Stephanie Meier

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 466

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

The Holy Family take refuge from Herod in the land of Egypt

Das E-Book Flight to Egypt wird angeboten von Books on Demand und wurde mit folgenden Begriffen kategorisiert:
Christmas, Holy Family, Egypt, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit

Leseprobe

Mariam, Jossef and Jeshua share the fate of refugees the world over and throughout the ages. This book is therefore dedicated to all refugees.

Comadre de suburbio

There was no room in Bethlehem, there was no room in Egypt, And there is no room in Madrid, for you. Joseph will be forced into unemployment for many days … The Nile will daily waste away your skin and the beauty of your anonymous hands … And the Child will grow up with no more schooling than the lessons of the sun and of your word.

Pedro Casaldáliga, Brasilian Liberation Theologian, 1965

2nd Edition, December 2022

Front Cover Illustration: Mural, 1474, St. Nicholas’ Church, Oltingen, Switzerland: Flight to Egypt

Back Cover Illustration (Boat): courtesy of Orpheus Books Ltd.,

Witney, England

In 2018, I wrote a story based upon the biblical account of Mariam’s visit to her Aunt Elisheva (Matthew 1, 18ff and Luke 1).

Continuing the New Testament story, Mariam and Jossef are now married and have had to leave hastily for Bethlehem, Jossef’s place of origin, to register for the census.

As in the previous story, I have followed the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke. However, the two do not tally. For example: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple forty days after his birth, to be found in Luke’s Gospel, would not make sense if the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt, as described by Matthew. Therefore, compromises were called for.

This time I have elaborated on the biblical account far more than I did in my previous story ‘Visiting Elisheva’, as the gospel only mentions the Flight to Egypt very briefly (Matthew 2, 13-15). The fictional elements hopefully also add interest to the story.

There are many legends preserved by the Egyptian Coptic Christian tradition surrounding the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, and I have tapped into these legends. However, I have been reticent about accounts of miracles performed by the infant Jesus.

Stephanie Meier, St. Gallen, 16th June 2021

Table of Contents

PART I: The Christmas Story

PART II: In Ashkelon

PART III: The Flight to Egypt

PART IV: The Mediterranean Potter

PART V: Passover in Babylon

PART VI: The Plot Thickens

PART VII: Moshe’s Cave in the Hills

PART VIII: Homeward Bound

List of Persons

Bibliography

Map of Egypt

Afterword

PART I:

The Christmas Story

I

On the road again! The afternoon sun shone mercilessly from a cloudless sky. There was almost no shade here. The donkeys hung their heads and tottered over the plain behind Mariam and Jossef. They had been on their way for two days now. After leaving the busy town of Skythopolis that morning, they had crossed the bridge over the Jordan. Now they were approaching Pella.

Mariam pondered upon how different this journey was from the one nine months ago, when she had travelled the same route with Sarah and Shimon to visit her Aunt Elisheva, discovering on the way that she was pregnant. She was still pregnant, but this time she was accompanied by her loving husband Jossef, who was taking good care of her.

There were crowds of people on the road due to the census. Mariam had been walking beside Jossef and leading her donkey. Jossef had set a slow pace for Mariam’s sake; nevertheless, she now felt tired and asked for a break.

«Can you make it to those date palms?» asked Jossef. «Then we’ll have some shade.» Mariam nodded. After another hundred yards they reached the palm trees, under which Jossef spread a blanket. With her husband’s help, Mariam awkwardly lowered her heavy body onto it. Jossef offered her the water skin which was fast becoming empty. Mariam took a swig and rinsed her dry mouth.

«Phew!» she sighed. «Walking’s becoming difficult with my fat belly, and my back’s hurting!» She lay on her side and pulled her knees up towards her stomach, to relax her back.

«Would you prefer to ride now?» asked Jossef, after their short rest.

Mariam nodded. She mounted awkwardly. At a somewhat faster pace they continued towards Pella, and Mariam allowed her thoughts to wander.

It had been about here, travelling with Sarah and Shimon shortly before Pella, that she had experienced the first nausea of her pregnancy. At the time, she had not actually been sure that she really was pregnant. However, it had soon become clear that the child was indeed already in her womb.

Mariam remembered how hard it had been not to share her discovery with Sara. It was not in Mariam’s nature to dissemble, so she had felt wretched until she had finally found the courage to tell her friend about her pregnancy.

It had been even worse telling her mother and still more agonizing telling Jossef. She believed she had lost him due to this admission. But aided by an angelic visitation, Jossef had returned to his betrothed. As it turned out, this mutual experience had strengthened and cemented their relationship. Ever since then, they knew just what they meant to each other. More importantly: They understood the significance of the child Mariam was carrying, and they also knew from the angel that his name was to be Jeshua.

Shortly afterwards Jossef had come to bring home his bride. Accompanied by all their friends and relations, her girlfriends had crowed the whole of the way from her mother’s home to Jossef’s house with that typically Middle Eastern high-pitched, quavering ululation. Mariam and Jossef had been married in front of Jossef’s house under a goat-hair tent, as had been the custom since the time of the Patriarchs. They each took the proffered cup of wine, and Jossef gave his beloved Mariam the marriage contract. The revelries continued into the early hours of the morning.

Jossef had built a beautiful new house for them both. Mariam felt completely at home there and was very proud of her husband’s skills. Just as their life had taken on a comfortable routine, the decree of Emperor Augustus had been issued, ordering every citizen to travel to their place of origin for a census. This had not been at all convenient for Jossef and his highly pregnant wife, but there was no way of avoiding it. They had packed up supplies for their journey to Bethlehem and loaded them onto their two donkeys, preparing to leave their beautiful new home and set off on the arduous journey.

Mariam’s mother, Hannah, had suggested that the couple contact Mariam’s half-sister Salome upon arrival in Bethlehem.

«Do you remember her, Mariam?» Hannah had asked. «She’s the youngest child of my beloved Joachim – God rest his soul – with his first wife, Shoshana. You only saw her twice, but you were still very young. Salome’s a midwife. She moved to Bethlehem several years ago with her husband, Zebedee. She may be able to help you.»

Mariam had promised to call upon Salome if the need arose. She had found it upsetting to leave, hugging her mother with tears in her eyes and already longing to be home again.

However, they were still on their outward journey and glad to have finally reached Pella. The evening sun coloured the waters of the Jordan red, and the palm trees reached up like black shadows against the fading sky. The town was teeming with people like them, on their way to their places of origin to register for the census, so Mariam and Jossef had to make do with meagre lodgings.

After leaving Pella, they travelled south along the east bank of the Jordan for two more days, grateful for the proximity of water and the relative coolness of the valley. From Jericho, they would go up to Bethany and visit Elisheva and Zechariah. They hoped also to visit Sara and Shimon, and from there to continue via Jerusalem to the southern heights of Bethlehem – a further week of travel before reaching their destination.

As they started on the uphill path to Bethany, Mariam felt a dragging in her womb, and Jeshua gave her a hefty kick. Even riding the donkey, the journey had been arduous. She called for another break, so Jossef helped his wife to dismount. He made her comfortable on the blanket, fondly stroking her hair and laying his hand upon her belly.

«Too much bouncing about for our Jeshua, huh?» he said. Jossef’s presence comforted Mariam. Leaning against her husband, she breathed calmly and deeply, and told him how glad she would be when they reached Bethany. From there, it would not be much further to Jerusalem.

Once Mariam had recovered, they tackled the last mile. Even the donkeys were glad to reach their destination. Elisheva came out to meet them, beaming happily, with little Jochanan in her arms.

«Mariam, my dear! And this must be your husband Jossef! Welcome! Come on in. You will stay with us for a day or two, won’t you?»

«Yes please, Elisheva! I’m so tired from travelling. It was tough for me, although Jossef did show great consideration and took good care of me!»

Jossef went off to stable the donkeys. The two women entered the house which held so many good memories for Mariam. Little Jochanan reached for Mariam’s belly and laid his tiny hand on it.

«Yes, my darling, that’s where your little cousin Jeshua is!» said Elisheva with a broad smile. «You see, Mariam? He remembers!»

The two women maintained a companionable silence, while Elisheva prepared strong, sweet tea. She asked Mariam to tell her all that had happened since they had last seen each other. While Mariam was telling her about their wedding, Jossef and Zechariah joined them. Elisheva and Zechariah wanted to know how Rivka and Mordechai’s olive grove in Nazareth was faring, and Mariam passed on Rivka’s regards. Meanwhile, Elisheva had lit the oil lamps. Mariam could now hardly keep her eyes open.

«Right, you two, off to bed with you! You’ve had enough for one day; you need your sleep, especially Mariam. We’ll let you sleep in tomorrow. I’ll go over to Sara and Shimon and let them know you’re here. You can visit them tomorrow afternoon. I suggest you sleep another two nights here, as the day after tomorrow is the Sabbath. If you want, you can walk to Jerusalem with Zechariah the morning after, when he goes to serve in the temple.»

2

Even the little village of Bethany was teeming with people when Mariam and Jossef set off to visit Sara and Shimon after lunch the next day. They had both slept well in Mariam’s aunt’s house. Mariam was feeling fit again, and ready to meet the day.

Sarah embraced her friend Mariam, then turned to face Jossef, who introduced himself to her and her husband. Shimon greeted Jossef with a broad smile. The friends went into the house, where there were now three children playing!

«Ah!» commented Mariam, «this must be your youngest daughter! What’s her name?»

«Her name’s Mariam, we named her after you!» answered Sarah brightly. «She’s a clever lass, just like you!»

Mariam beamed with pleasure and went over to the children.

«Martha, I swear you’ve grown in the half year since I was last here! You too, Elazar! And Mariam looks a healthy little girl.»

Martha picked up her sister and hugged her just like a little mother. She passed the tiny baby over to Mariam, who took her in her arms in wonder.

«My child will soon be born,» said Mariam.

«Yes I thought as much, since your belly’s pretty large! What a time to have to travel!» commented Sarah.

«You can say that again!» answered Mariam. «Well, that’s what comes of Jossef’s being of the House of David!»

Little Mariam loudly demanded a feed, so Sarah relieved her friend of her daughter and sat down to nurse her. Mariam and Jossef soaked up the comfortable family atmosphere and enjoyed their day with these good friends. By the time they returned to Elisheva’s house, Jossef already felt he had known Sarah and Shimon for a long time.

A second night with Elisheva and Zechariah and the peaceful atmosphere of the Sabbath gave Mariam and Jossef plenty of time to recover, so that they felt refreshed and ready for the walk to Bethlehem, where they hoped to arrive towards evening. At break of day, they said the morning prayer after ritually washing. This they would do religiously every day, no matter how little time or water was available to them. Then they packed up and left with Zechariah, leading their two donkeys behind them. Zechariah took his leave of the couple at the temple gate, wished them all the best for their journey home and blessed them.

Mariam and Jossef descended from the temple mount, taking the road to Hebron. They were amazed at the number of people on the road there. Even at Bethany, there had been a great many travellers, but shortly after Jerusalem the crowds became quite overwhelming. The noise had also increased, giving Mariam a headache. She had been unpleasantly jostled several times, so she decided to ride her donkey again to give her protection. They took a short break at the roadside for her to mount, during which Jossef gave his wife a drink from the water skin. Then they set off again, going with the flow of the crowd.

It was not far to Rachel’s Tomb1, where they paid their respects along with all the other pilgrims. Near the tomb, an old man was selling fresh figs. Jossef bought a few figs to augment their supplies and chatted to the fig seller.

«Must be good for business, these crowds!» remarked Jossef.

«Oh they are!» answered the man. «It’s wonderful for sales! But this isn’t a good time for you to be travelling on these crowded roads, with your wife expecting.»

«You’re right!» said Josef. «Mind you, we didn’t come far today, only from Bethany, and we’re only going as far as Bethlehem. But with all this noise and jostling, it’s very taxing for my wife.»

«Know what? After the tomb, you could take the next turning on the left,» advised the old man, pointing in that direction. «As you can see, no one’s turning off there. It’s a longer route – you’ll come out near Beit Sahour at the edge of the desert – but it’s quieter! After that, you’ll need to take the next right turning. You’ll soon reach Bethlehem beyond the hamlet of Beit Sahour. Also, you’ll arrive at the town directly in the vicinity of the only guesthouse.»

«Oh, thank you very much!» exclaimed Jossef, «that’s valuable advice!»

Jossef went back to Mariam and asked her whether she was happy to take the longer path. She was all in favour of the old man’s idea. She turned to him, putting her hand on her heart and bowing her head in a gesture of thanks.

As they departed, they both waved to the old fig seller, then the donkeys took the slight incline at a trot. They found the left turnoff where the path evened out behind the tomb. After this, the path followed the outline of the hill, descending gently towards the east. Far ahead of them, a group of shepherds were walking along the same path with their flock of sheep and goats; otherwise, there was no one on this path. After about half an hour, the shepherds arrived at their field. The sheep and goats dispersed and began to graze the sparse, stony ground. The shepherds waved and called a friendly greeting to Mariam and Jossef, who stopped to chat with them at the edge of the field, telling them they had just come from Jerusalem and wished to continue to Bethlehem. The shepherds explained exactly where they would find the turnoff for Beit Sahour, and Mariam and Jossef walked on. In Beit Sahour, a small hamlet, they filled their water skins at a well and continued to Bethlehem.

This route had indeed been much less demanding, even though it was further. Nevertheless, Mariam was extremely glad to see the first houses of the town appearing on the horizon. There was still an hour to go until sunset. It was quiet on the outskirts of the town, but even from there, they could hear the noise emanating from the town centre. A man trundled by with an old handcart, empty but for a few leftover cabbage leaves – obviously it had been market day, which no doubt explained the crowds. They only needed to follow the noise to find the guesthouse. However, when they arrived, they saw people coming out, looking disappointed.

«Not very promising!» said Mariam. «But let’s give it a try anyway. I really can’t go much further!»

They entered the guesthouse, where the landlord gave them a sour look.

«Sorry! No room!» he bellowed over the heads of the guests and those who had been rejected.

So out they went again and stood in the street, completely at a loss.

«What do we do now?» asked Mariam.

Jossef frowned. He had no idea. They retraced their steps a short way towards the south, just to get away from the noise. Bethlehem was only a small town and only had this one guesthouse, as they well knew.

Whilst they stood there looking about them, Mariam’s waters suddenly broke!

«Oh, Jossef!» she shouted in desperation, «It’s starting! Our baby’s coming!»

Jossef’s eyes widened in horror; he acted fast, hammering on the door of the nearest house, but there was no answer. He tried the next house – no answer there, either! Desperately, he knocked on all the doors, until finally a young man responded.

«My wife’s having a baby!» shouted Jossef. The young man’s eyes widened, his mouth gaped and he disappeared inside the house again. However, he had left the door ajar, which gave them some hope. A middle-aged woman came to the door with a puzzled expression.

«My son tells me your wife’s having a baby, is that right?» she asked Jossef.

«Yes! Oh, please, help us! Have you got room for us somewhere where she can give birth?»

«I can only offer you the stable. I’ll spread some fresh straw in there so that the poor woman can give birth on it.»

Jossef was in despair, because he could feel his wife’s desperation, but there was no time to search for a better option.

«Right, in that case please show us the way,» sighed Jossef, «oh, and thank you very much, it’s most kind!» he added.

Luckily, the stable was directly behind the house. Jossef supported Mariam who was panting and swaying slightly, whilst the owner brushed the floor clean and spread fresh straw, introducing herself as Tabitha while she did so. The stable had a homely smell of straw and dung. With Jossef’s help, Mariam lowered herself onto the straw and moaned in anguish.

«I’m off to fetch a midwife!» said Tabitha. «You’re doing fine! Breathe deeply, that’s it!»

Jossef held Mariam’s hand and wiped the sweat from her brow.

«Oh my, why did it have to happen right here!» groaned Mariam through clenched teeth.

«Mariam, please tell me what to do,» begged Jossef.

«Yes, Jossef, go to the house and ask for water and cloths, then please go and find Salome!» ordered Mariam. Jossef went off, grateful to have something useful to do.

Mariam was shaken by a first contraction. Luckily she had been present when Elisheva had given birth and knew exactly what to do. Soon, the labour pains were coming in shorter intervals. Mariam knew the child was coming. She supported herself on a hay bale and pressed with all her might.

Jossef returned with the water bowl and the cloths just as Tabitha arrived with the midwife, so he left again to search for Salome.

«You’re doing just fine!» the midwife encouraged Mariam, helping her into a better position for the birth. «Keep going, alright? Press hard!»

Hours passed. Mariam was fighting and suffering greatly. The midwife supported her with both voice and hands. When Jossef finally arrived with Salome, Mariam was visibly flagging. Salome went over to her half-sister, stroked her sweating brow and gave her encouragement, while Jossef, his face very white, disappeared to the back of the stable. Seeing his wife suffering like this was really upsetting him. He went out and fetched the two donkeys to take his mind off things.

The midwife commented to her colleague that Mariam appeared still to be a virgin, which fact was confirmed by an amazed Salome. Mariam’s face was lit by a brief, enigmatic smile, before she continued pushing and struggling.

Finally, the baby was born without any great complication. Jeshua played his part, and soon issued his first lusty scream. After she had tied off the umbilical cord and cleaned Mariam up, Salome laid the child in Mariam’s arms. Mariam fell back in the straw with a huge sigh and held her son close with an ecstatic smile. Deeply moved, she breathed in the fragrance of her tiny baby. This sweet, mystifying scent was the purest joy she had ever known.

Jossef looked with wonder upon the tiny child and stretched out a finger to him. Little Jeshua briefly looked up at his father with large, dark eyes. Mariam leant against Jossef, exhausted but happy, with little Jeshua in her arms. God had given them the most wonderful gift.

Thus, the Lord came into his world, a meagre world with little comfort, but with loving parents who gazed at him for hours with doting eyes and only found a little sleep towards the early hours of the morning. Salome remained with the family to support them, showing Mariam how to nurse her child.

Now and again, the donkeys’ hooves stamped on the wooden stable floor. One of the goats bleated briefly. Otherwise, all was silent on the southern outskirts of Bethlehem. But for those with ears to hear it, the spirit of God was present in the soft sound of beating wings and rushing wind.

1 The matriarch Rachel was the second wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She died near Bethlehem.

3

The shepherds in the field near Beit Sahour had also come from Jerusalem on the previous day, where they had been selling sheep and goats to pilgrims for sacrifice. They had hardly been able to get through for the crowds, and like Mariam and Jossef, had been glad when they reached the quieter path after the turnoff at Rachel’s Tomb. After Mariam and Jossef had continued on their way to Bethlehem, the shepherds discussed this remarkable couple.

«Crazy! Fancy taking such a pregnant woman travelling!» the oldest shepherd exclaimed.

«Guess they had to, ‘cause of the census,» answered a shepherd boy, proud to demonstrate his knowledge of the current situation. «Incredible number of people on the roads right now!»

«D’you think they’ll find somewhere to stay?» asked the old man.

«No! Shouldn’t think so!» they all answered at once. They fell silent and pondered the matter.

The animals were driven into the dry-stone fold. The shepherds then rolled themselves into their warm coats and lay down on the ground to sleep.

In the middle of the night, the shepherd boy heard a sound like beating wings and rushing wind. He sat up and looked about him, to see whether there was a flock of birds flying over, but he could not see any, just a very bright star twinkling in the southwestern sky. The sound swelled to a buzzing. He wakened his colleagues, who could hear the buzzing too!

Suddenly, there was a great light all around them, brighter than the day. The men fell to the ground with shock and lay there trembling. Each of them saw the young couple in their mind’s eye, and in each of their hearts an inner voice spoke, telling them to get up and search for the couple, as they were very special!

The shepherds were filled with joy, and their hearts leapt; they all felt a great jubilation, as if they were hearing beautiful music. Slowly, the light and the buzzing faded, until they could hear only the soft beating of wings and the rushing wind, then nothing.

These men were normally practical types, but now they looked at one another in puzzlement. They glanced at the fold, but the animals had not reacted at all to the sounds or the light. All was calm, as though nothing had happened. They continued the inner dialogue as if it had been spoken aloud and as if it was the most normal thing to do so.

«We’ve got to go and search for them!»

«For sure! That’s a sign, it’s got to be taken seriously. Must be something to it!»

They decided amongst themselves who would stay with the sheep. The others would leave for Bethlehem as soon as day broke. None of them could sleep after that. They all lay awake thinking of the unbelievable experience.

In the first light of day, the group of shepherds arrived in Bethlehem and went to the guesthouse, although they did not hold out much hope of finding the couple there. The landlord had no recollection of seeing a pregnant woman; there had been far too much hubbub for him to remember any individuals. All he could say was that they were not staying at the guesthouse.

The shepherds now started to feel slightly embarrassed at their own enthusiasm. Had they been mistaken? They wandered aimlessly through the lanes on the outskirts of Bethlehem, having no idea how to conduct their search.

While standing in front of a private house, they heard a baby crying. They looked at one another. It could be anybody’s child of course; after all what was the likelihood of the young woman having just given birth that night?

The baby’s cries seemed to come from the back of the house. The other shepherds were sceptical, but the shepherd boy prowled cautiously round to the stable, following the sound of crying.

Once he had found the source of the noise, he knocked gently, opened the stable door a little and peered inside – it was them! It was the couple they had seen in their field! They gave him a friendly smile. He hurried back to the lane and beckoned the other shepherds to follow him. When they all came and peered through the door, Mariam gestured to them to come closer to the manger in which she had laid Jeshua.

Again they heard the sound of beating wings and rushing wind. The shepherds knelt and removed their caps in veneration of this tiny baby, which appeared to be exuding light.

The old shepherd explained to Jossef and Mariam that they had come because they had seen a vision. None of them understood why they, as humble shepherds, had been sent to see the special child. But they all felt that it was somehow right and fitting.

«Would you like a lamb?» asked the shepherd boy. «We’ve got a couple of nice one-year-olds, and we’d be pleased to give you one.»

«Thank you,» answered Jossef, much moved «but I’m not sure we can roast it anywhere here. Mind you, some meat would do us good, especially my wife, who needs to regain her strength!»

«Maybe you could roast it on your way home?» suggested one of the others.

The shepherds seemed so keen to give them a lamb that Jossef politely accepted their offer. They arranged that the shepherd boy would return with the lamb, and all the shepherds made their way slowly back to the flock in the field near Beit Sahour, full of awe at what they had experienced.

4

Far, far away in Persia, a group of astrologers were consulting a chart of the present constellations. There would soon be a very special aspect: the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn which only occurred every twenty years. A new star had appeared, shining very brightly and building a trigon with this conjunction and Mars. They agreed that Jupiter symbolized royalty, and Saturn in Pisces symbolized the Jewish people. This suggested that there would be a new Jewish king. They had heard that the present king, Herod the Great, ruling by the grace of the Roman Emperor, was not popular with the people. Could a major change be imminent? After much discussion, they decided to leave for Judaea to request an audience with the present king and try to find out more.

Travelling south, they would often be passing through desert land. They had their charts, texts, and supplies loaded onto their camels by their apprentice, Aftab, together with gifts for the new king, should they be able to trace him.

Further constellations showed that this king would have religious importance, was possibly still very young, would grow up in poverty as had King David of Israel and would die a painful, early death. For these reasons they chose as gifts: frankincense for dignity, myrrh for the anointing of the dead, and gold for royalty.

Navigation was a simple matter for astrologers, and they made good headway on their magnificent beasts, mostly travelling in the early morning and late evening to avoid the greatest heat. Two weeks on the traditional caravan trade routes already brought them as far as Syria. They crossed the border into the northern province of Gaulanitis and made for Tiberias in Galilee, where they intended to spend the night and gain first impressions of Herod’s reputation by speaking with the local population.

Tiberias was the new capital of the Tetrarchy of Galilee and Peraea. The streets of this town were crowded with people. The astrologers went down to the harbour, as one generally found all kinds of people in a harbour who were happy to talk.

They did indeed find a tradesman waiting for a boat with a bale of cloth at his feet, who was glad to while away his time chatting to these foreigners. The man was a lively narrator who spoke with much gesturing. At first, he waxed enthusiastic about the father of the present Tetrarch, Herod Antipater, who, he said, had found favour with the highest circles in Rome through his bravery and his diplomacy.

«He’s obviously found favour with you, too!» interjected Makahn, the eldest of the three astrologers. «His reputation has even reached us in Persia. Mind you, we have also heard other things about him. But we have heard little about his son, the present Tetrarch, Herod the Great. What is your opinion of him?»

«Well, to begin with, he freed our country of the disruptive insurgents, who caused so much havoc in our lives. That was good, and he was respected for it. But he’s brutal. He’d sell his own grandmother, that’s for sure. And he’s been known to kill members of his own family! He’ll stop at nothing to further his own interests!»

«So he’s a nasty type!» interjected Behnam in his challenging way. «Such acts can easily lead to insurrection, can’t they?»

«Well yes, maybe – but I’m a peace-loving person and I’d never get involved in insurrection!» added the cloth trader quickly. After all, you never knew who you were talking to!

«No, I was not implying that you would,» added Behnam raising his hands in a gesture of peace. «But you must admit that a ruler like that can cause fear and distrust amongst his subjects.»

«Ye-es, that’s certainly true,» admitted the trader, «under Herod one has to be ready for anything! One tends to be cautious.»

«Very sensible!» agreed Makahn, winking at his two colleagues, who grinned at the fellow’s cautiousness. They could tell that the man was now on his guard, so they slowly ended the conversation and went to look for someone else who may be more willing to express his true opinion. But after talking to two even more cautious people, the three astrologers gave up and went to find lodgings for the night.

The town was very grand. After checking into their lodgings, they wandered around the lively streets, between palaces in the Graeco-Roman style, past the forum and the theatre, and on to the baths where they enjoyed the comforting warmth of the thermal waters. Afterwards, they got talking to a Roman functionary in a nearby tavern over drinks.

The functionary voiced his opinion of Herod: «He’s a reliable ally for us, as he nips every rebellion in the bud.»

«But we’ve also heard that his morals are not what they could be. Didn’t he have members of his own family murdered?» asked Makahn with a sideglance at his younger colleague Kamran.

«Well, it’s not our problem what he does with his own family! We see to it that we don’t get involved with such things. To be honest, there are a lot of Romans who despise Herod; nevertheless, we use his power for our own purposes. And at least he’s equally brutal to everyone, there’s no favouritism!» said the functionary and laughed loudly.

The three astrologers took their leave of their Roman drinking partner. Slowly, they were gaining an impression of this despot Herod, as they had hoped they would. The people trembled in awe of him, and that was useful to Rome, as it kept this corner of the empire quiet.

The astrologers decided that they would indeed travel on to Jerusalem and request an audience with Herod. It promised to be interesting!

Two days later they were standing in front of the rambling palace in Jerusalem. They requested an audience from the gatekeeper, who disappeared to discuss Herod’s agenda with a clerk.

«You’re in luck!» he said when he returned. «I’ve made an appointment for you for tomorrow at the ninth hour2. Report to the East Gate!»

After lunch, the astrologers discussed their strategy for the audience on the following day. Then they went sight-seeing in the well-known city. As they were not Jews, they were not allowed to enter Herod’s famous temple, but they had to admit that whatever crimes Herod had committed, he had a good eye for grandeur and had created beautiful buildings.

The next day, they arrived punctually at the ninth hour in front of the East Gate. They were taken to Herod’s Hall of Office, where the rather plump ruler sat on a raised golden throne, dressed in richly embroidered robes, awaiting them with a proud, cynical look in his eye.

The astrologers approached the king reverently and spoke the required phrases to flatter his narcissistic character. Herod’s mouth formed an unnatural smile which did not reach his cold, hard, piggy little eyes. He did not offer his guests a seat. A servant brought them each a cup of wine and also presented one to the king.

«Your Royal Highness, we are astrologers from Persia,» said Makahn. «At present, there is a constellation which suggests that extraordinary things are occurring in connection with the royal line. For this reason we have travelled here to find out more. Should your Royal Highness be able to tell us more, we would be most interested. Alternatively, if your Royal Highness should wish it, we could give you an account of the astrological interpretations we have made.»

Herod stroked his clean-shaven chin. This was not what he had been expecting! The three wise men left him time to consider, not wanting to rush things.

Eventually, Herod said: «Very well, tell me of the interpretations you have made, although I am sure I know all the facts already. What exactly have you seen?»

«May we please roll out our charts for you, your Majesty?» asked Kamran, bowing his head slightly.

«Yes yes,» answered Herod, «show them to me, if you feel it will help, but hurry – I don’t have all day!»

Behnam stepped forward and rolled out the astrological chart in front of Herod. Next, the handsome young Kamran stepped forward and pointed to the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on the chart, in the south-western sky. Herod gave Kamran a piercing look, but Kamran did not allow this to deter him and said in a calm, confident voice: «Here, the two planets Jupiter and Saturn are in conjunction. Jupiter is a symbol of royal dignity,» Kamran bowed his head slightly towards Herod at these words, «and Saturn is the symbol of the Jewish people. Further constellations show that this king will have religious relevance,» Kamran pointed to another planet, «he may still be very young,», he pointed to yet another planetary aspect, «and, like King David of Israel, he will grow up in poverty. One can also see that this new king will die an early, painful death.» Here he pointed with a frown to a further aspect.

The three men had agreed not to say more, but to leave it up to Herod how he wished to continue the discussion, as they had broached contentious topics.

Herod stroked his chin again. There was a tense stillness in the room. At length he said: «You may leave me now. I wish first to discuss this subject with my scribes and high priests, after which I might call you again for a further audience.»

Bowing low before Herod, Kamran, Makahn and Behnam walked backwards to the door and left the king’s presence. They refrained from speaking while they were still in the palace, but once they were outside, they let out their breath through their lips.

«Phew!» exclaimed Behnam, «what a pompous man!»

«True, but I believe he’s a dangerous man,» added Makahn. «It’s a good thing we decided to be cautious. Possibly we’ve already said too much. Now we just need to let matters take their course.»

«I wonder whether he really will call us back,» continued Behnam, «and if so, it’ll be interesting to see how the discussion continues.»

It took another two days for Herod to call upon the astrologers for a further audience.

«This time, you may accompany us, Aftab,» suggested Makahn, «so that you can learn how to deal with a pompous narcissistic ruler!»

The seventeen-year-old apprentice smiled, pleased to be able to gain further experience on this trip, other than merely taking care of the camels and the baggage. He was eager to learn.

For the second audience, Herod had also invited his scribes, which indicated how important this discussion was for him. The three astrologers noticed that the scribes were looking very serious and quite tense. All participants in the discussion were wary, as a great deal could be at stake.

Herod opened the discussion: «My scribes and high priests are of the opinion that this so-called ‘king’ you are talking about will presumably be born in Bethlehem in Judaea. We will now read the excerpt from our scriptures which could be an announcement of this birth.» He stressed the word ‘could’.

He gestured to his scribes, one of whom stood to read the excerpt: «Thus it is written in the book of the Prophet Micah:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.3»

The scribe had spoken with much pathos. He took his seat again.

«Right, that’s enough!» ordered Herod superfluously. The astrologers glanced at one another and risked a cynical grin.

«With respect, your Royal Highness, that seems pretty much to confirm our interpretations,» said Makahn.

«Yes, it could be true. That is why I also wish to visit this new ‘king’. It is never too early to make the acquaintance of future rulers, particularly when they have been prophesied by our scripture and would therefore be important for our people. I therefore suggest that you go now towards Bethlehem and find this young person, according to scripture it could even be a newborn babe. Make extensive searches, find him! And once you have found the child, I wish you to return to me and inform me of the exact location, in order that I may also go and pay reverence to him. Is that clear?»

«Yes, your Royal Highness!» answered the astrologers obediently. The scribes sighed with relief. All had gone exactly as Herod had planned it.

The astrologers bowed low and left the hall, then the palace. This time, they were accompanied to the gate by the scribes, who called for someone named Enosh. There appeared to be some excitement. The astrologers acted as though they had not noticed the nervous excitement, whereas in fact they were taking exact note of all that was happening. The scribes appeared to be talking emphatically to Enosh about some topic and giving him detailed instructions.

The astrologers could not tarry any longer or their interest would become suspicious. On their way back to their lodgings they wondered out loud what the role of this clerk Enosh could be. They had marked his appearance very precisely and also brought Aftab’s attention to the scribes’ behaviour.

«They’re up to something, Aftab. Did you notice that?» said Makahn. «We’ll be on our guard, but there’s no need to take any particular precautions. We’ll just wait and see!» Aftab nodded eagerly.

2 In the ancient world, the ninth hour was about 3 - 4 p.m.

3 Micah 5, 2-5

5

The astrologers left their lodgings immediately after the audience. While Aftab was saddling up the camels, he happened to notice Enosh, the clerk they had seen talking to the scribes, coming out of the same lodging house and disappearing into a sidestreet. He told his masters of his observation. Then they set off on their way, their four camels taking them southwards with the typical graceful, swaying stride.

Sometime later, Kamran said to Makahn: «Have you noticed that the clerk we saw this morning, is following us at a distance?»

Makahn nodded. «He’s actually doing it quite well, but he hasn’t reckoned with our sharp powers of observation!»

«There’s nothing to be feared from a tail we’re aware of,» agreed Behnam.

Aftab turned round to see this ‘tail’ who was following them.

«Hey! Don’t look back, Aftab!» ordered Behnam. «Act as though we haven’t noticed!»

At Rachel’s Tomb they could hardly get through, as the road to Hebron was so crowded. The astrologers bought themselves some figs, stopped to chat with the fig seller and were given the same advice as Jossef and Mariam. They also decided to take the detour.

Shortly before reaching Beit Sahour, they spotted a group of shepherds with their flocks grazing in a field. The shepherds appeared to be excited about something, not at all as indolent and taciturn as such herdsmen usually were. They even came over to the camels and greeted the astrologers.

«Peace to you, shepherds!» Makahn called down from his camel. «Have you something to celebrate? What has made you so merry?»

The shepherds were only too pleased to recount their wonderful experience: the bright light, the family and the special child in the stable which had touched their hearts so deeply.

«So small, but somehow great!» said the shepherd boy ineptly.

Kamran nodded. «I believe I know what you mean, boy. And I have a feeling we are searching for this very family!»

«You’re looking for such a humble family?» asked the oldest shepherd. «What d’you want with them?»

«It’s a long story, but this child is undoubtedly very special, much more than you can possibly know! Be grateful that you have been privileged to behold him!» said Makahn.

«Could you take us to this family?» asked Behnam.

Suddenly the shepherds became wary. Aftab also became uneasy at this question and looked back to see if their tail was already on the path behind them. However, there did not appear to be anyone in sight.

«We don’t know anything about you. What if you want to harm the family?» said the old shepherd.

«You are quite right to be suspicious. And should another man riding behind us ask after the family, you must not, I repeat not on any account tell them anything, for this man really does wish to harm the family, whereas we mean well. You may trust us. However, the man riding behind us comes from Herod!»

«From Herod!» said the shepherd boy. «Hah, we won’t tell him nothing!»

The shepherds huddled together and discussed the situation, after which the shepherd boy came back to the camels.

«Know what? We promised the family a lamb, and I’m going to bring it right over to them. You can come with me! We trust you.»

«Very well, thank you very much! But we must move immediately or our tail will catch up with us!» warned Kamran.

So the shepherd boy went over to the fold, picked out a flawless year-old lamb and carried it to Bethlehem, walking next to the camels and showing the astrologers the way.

***

The tail, Enosh, had had bad luck. At Rachel’s Tomb he had dismounted from his horse to put some distance between himself and the astrologers. He took a swig from his water skin, and he was just about to remount so that he could keep an eye on his prey, when a group of young men started a loud brawl. Right next to Enosh, one of the men went for another with a raised stick, screaming at him. Enosh’s horse shied, stepped backwards over a small scarp and fell.

Enosh swore loudly and rounded on the men angrily, but they were only interested in their brawl and ignored him completely. He helped his horse to its feet and led it up and down at the edge of the crowd. Such a nuisance! The horse had gone lame on its right foreleg. He remounted briefly to see whether the astrologers were still ahead of him, but they were nowhere to be seen. Enosh cursed inwardly and dismounted again. Now he would have no choice but to lead his horse all the way to Bethlehem. Once there, he could attempt to heal the leg with a compress. He would have to find out where his prey had got to. This little accident could endanger the success of his mission and cost him dearly, since Herod had been known to punish such mistakes with death. If only he had not dismounted from his horse!

***

When the group arrived at the house, the shepherd boy went ahead of the astrologers, peering cautiously into the stable. Mariam and Jossef sat peacefully with their child, speaking quietly to each other. The shepherd boy gestured to the four men to follow him into the stable.

«Peace to you!» said the shepherd softly. «I brought you that nice lamb I promised you. And I’ve got visitors to see you, men of goodwill.»

Jossef looked sceptical but thanked him for the lamb and indicated that he should pass it to Salome, who placed at the back of the stable next to the two goats. There was some bleating, but soon the animals quietened down again, and the shepherd boy left.

The three wise men stepped forward. Aftab stayed by the door watching.

«Peace be with you!» said Makahn in his soft melodic baritone.

«And with you!» answered Jossef and Mariam.

Makahn continued: «We are astrologers. Based on certain planetary aspects, we have seen that a king of religious importance to Judaea will emerge. This king may still be very young, and will grow up humbly, like King David of Israel.»

«What connection does this have with us, sirs, and why have you come seeking us?» asked Jossef.

«A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn brought us to Judaea. But in order to find out more, we spoke with King Herod.»

Mariam’s eyes widened. Could they really trust these men? Were they really men of goodwill, as the shepherd had said?

«Herod’s scribes cited your scriptures, saying that a new King of the Jews was to be born in Bethlehem,» said Kamran, quoting the passage in its entirety, for he had an excellent memory.

«The Prophet Micah!» said Mariam softly and with reverence. «Are you telling us this passage relates to us?»

«Does that seem so impossible to you?» asked Makahn gently.

«It is difficult for me to grasp,» answered Mariam, «but this child was indeed conceived in a very special way. And at that time, both my husband Jossef and I received messages. We called them ‘the visits of the angel’.»

The three astrologers nodded reverentially. The concept of an angel was nothing extraordinary for a scholarly Persian.

«What was this message, good lady?» asked Kamran.

«I saw a gentle, loving countenance before me, and I knew immediately that I would bear a child. Next, I heard an inner voice saying the name ‘Jeshua’, and I knew that the child must be so named. I felt that the child would become great and important for the people of Israel, for the House of Jacob. And I knew at that moment that this Holy Child I was to conceive would be called the Son of God!»

As Mariam spoke these words, they all heard the soft beating of wings and rushing wind in the room around them.

«That sound!» said Jossef, «We both heard that every time the angel came to us.»

«Vibration!» said Makahn, «All is vibration, all is oscillation! The metaphysical becomes densified. We hear the waves of spiritual beings who wish to support us. We see densified spirit! Everything is ruled by the interaction of proportions in all things. Everywhere, things are mirrored by their opposites; the processes of growth and decay, of world and cosmos. That which is applicable in our visible world, also applies in the invisible sphere, which is yet at work in our visible world.»

Mariam glanced at Jossef and raised one eyebrow. Jossef smiled. They understood each other without words. These words did not really seem to help. On the contrary: Exalted scientific explanations of such subtle things somehow disconnected the experience. They made them into an object of science rather than making them tangible.

Nevertheless, the men seemed to be sincere and obviously had integrity, otherwise they would not have been able to hear those now familiar sounds of the spirit.

Makahn, Kamran and Behnam held up their gifts. Makahn went down on one knee before the child. He took the frankincense and censed three times, passing the incense burner in a circle around Jeshua, who started to cough. Mariam laughed quietly.

Makahn spoke: «May your life be dedicated to your people, future King of the Jews.»

Next, Kamran knelt before the child. He opened a pouch, took out two aurei4 and laid them on the edge of the manger, saying: «This gold represents your royal dignity, blessed child!»

Lastly, Behnam knelt before little Jeshua, anointed his forehead and the palms of his hands with myrrh and spoke: «Blessed are you, o King, also at that time when you will pass into the Realm of the Dead.»

The three men remained kneeling before the child for a while, then they rose and faced his parents again. The sound of beating wings and rushing wind ceased abruptly. Mariam and Jossef saw the serious look in the eyes of the three men and were startled.

«I am afraid we have to warn you,» said Makahn, «for Herod has asked us to report back to him exactly where you are to be found. He said he wished to pay reverence to the new king. But he did not say this with an honest voice. There was calculation in his eyes. We do not trust him.»

«Indeed,» added Behnam, «he is not honest. He wishes to harm you so that he may keep his position of power. We believe he sent someone after us, to trail our every move.»

«Does this man know where we are?» asked Jossef aghast.

«Aftab!» called Behnam, «Did you see our tail again? Is he on our heels?»

«No,» answered Aftab. «Surprisingly, I haven’t seen him since shortly before Rachel’s Tomb.»

«So he does not know where you are,» said Makahn to Mariam and Jossef. «Aftab has a good eye for danger. Nevertheless, you should be cautious.»

«Now we will return to our homeland,» said Kamran. «You may rest assured that we will not go anywhere near Herod again.»

«Peace be with you, and blessings upon your child!» called the three astrologers as they walked towards the stable door.

«Peace be with you, too!» answered Mariam and Jossef, «We wish you a good journey home. Thank you very much for the gifts and for your kind words, also for your warning!»

4 Roman gold coins, one Aureus was worth about the monthly wage of a craftsman

6

«Do you think we’re really in danger, Jossef?» asked Mariam some days later.

«I shouldn’t think there’s any immediate danger,» answered Jossef. «After all, Bethlehem’s full of people. If the tail was unable to follow those men, he’ll never find us in these crowds. He knows nothing about us and has never seen us.»

Mariam relaxed. «That’s true!» she said with relief. «I wouldn’t mind staying here a few days longer before starting out for home. And we still haven’t registered for the census yet.»

«No, I thought we could do that tomorrow, providing you feel strong enough,» suggested Jossef.

«Certainly! I think I’ve had time to recover. I feel strong enough now. Let’s do that,» assented Mariam. «Tomorrow we’ll have been here five days, and the day after tomorrow is the Sabbath. If we stay another three days, we could have the circumcision done here.»

«Oh my goodness, you’re right, we’ll have to!» exclaimed Jossef.

Before leaving for the census next day, Jossef asked Mariam to sew the two aurei into the hem of his robe.

«Our nest egg for the journey home,» he said cheerfully. Both of them were looking forward to returning to their lovely home in Nazareth.

But first, they made their way to one of the stalls that had been erected in the marketplace for the purpose of the census. Mariam carried Jeshua in a baby sling, so that he was safe in the crowds.

It was extremely loud in the town, with people shouting and clattering about everywhere. Carts trundled over the stones of the Roman road to Hebron. Now and then, a donkey brayed, adding to the general cacophony.

Registration was quickly done. As required by the census, Jossef gave his and Mariam’s full names, the names of their fathers, Jeshua’s full name, their ages, hometown, profession, financial situation, and land ownership.

They now needed to find out where the mohel5 of Bethlehem lived.

«Let’s ask Tabitha,» suggested Jossef. «She’ll probably know.»

On the way back to the stable, they bought fresh fruit and olives. Then they knocked on Tabitha’s door. She did indeed know where the mohel lived and offered the couple some tea.

«I’m Mariam, and this is my husband Jossef,» said Mariam. «We’re so grateful that I could give birth in your stable! Thank you so much!»

«How’s the little one?» asked Tabitha. «My son saw you had visitors. Do you have friends here?»