JOY ALONG THE WAY: THE WAIT HAS LONG BEEN OVER

House of David

By Aaron ben Justus

Bethlehem, Judea, Chisleu, 5757

All kinds of strange occurrences took place last week in Bethlehem. Probably the most noticeable was the great influx of strangers. Down from Bethsaida, Nazareth, Capernaum they came. Over from Joppa and Ashkelon, up from Hebron and Beer-sheba.

Many of them were unabashedly grumbling about Caesar's decree for all the world to be enrolled. One man was heard to say, "It is for taxation purposes. Any time Caesar wants another chair gold plated, more men for his army, more improved streets and waterworks in Rome, all he has to do is tax the people again and again. Do we here in Galilee, Judea or Samaria receive any of the rewards for such taxation?" Someone replied, "Hush, or your head might fall off unexpectedly. Rome's arms are long."

Those coming down through Samaria spoke of the increase of lawlessness, thieves, murderers. A camel driver arriving at Bethlehem reported, "Just outside of Jericho a family of four were murdered as they slept in their overnight tent. A milk goat, apparently making the journey with the family, was wandering around at the site. All other possessions were gone, even the clothes they were wearing."

The enrollment stipulated that those of the House of David were to come here to Bethlehem to be counted. Other tribes went to other cities. A great many came down from Jerusalem, it being the most populous city of any of the provinces. One who said he often stood guard at the Sheep Gate there reported there had been a big brawl at the Sanhedrin between the governing Sadducees and the Pharisees. These recurring brawls or quarrels, whatever one might call them, are a result of the different opinions about governing, the Sadducees who think everything should be judged strictly by the written laws, while the Pharisees say, "Yes, the written laws, but also by the oral laws." This particular brawl was, allegedly, about what they might do regarding King Herod's so-called increasing madness.

Some women, gathering at the town well reported they had seen a brighter than usual nighttime glow coming from the shepherds' fields to the east. "Probably their brush fence caught fire," they concluded, although further investigation could find no signs of a fire.

Many coming to Bethlehem sought to purchase some of the rich, pure olive oil made here, said to be the best, only to find the prices had been increased. Same for the cheeses and figs.

One curious event, the news of which is being spread around, particularly by shepherds, is that a couple arrived from Nazareth for the enrollment too late one evening to get a room at the Inn, or anyplace else except for a stable not far from the Inn. What makes this curious is that these same shepherds, not overly educated, say a baby was born to this couple, right there in the stable the night they arrived, and that the baby is the Messiah our people have been awaiting for thousands of years.

When word of this reaches the High Priest and members of the Sanhedrin up at the Temple, no doubt an investigative committee will be formed to follow up on this. However, this time they may not. There have been so many such committees formed to investigate proclaimed Messiahs and nothing has ever come of it. "Wait and see," seems to be the attitude now.

We'll soon be into the new year, 5758. As usual we will continue to wait.

REJOICE!

~Jean Bell Mosley is an author and longtime resident of Cape Girardeau.