| Joe's Journalby Tim BeekerBeginning of Winter, Dec. 21st :
The festival of lights is upon us, but I do not feel any joy for the occasion. There has been so much confusion these past six months and it's getting no better. Zacharyah is still unable to speak. He's been that way since he came out of the Temple at Shavuot, earlier this spring. Some luck of the draw he had. He got picked to go in to perform the services of burning the incense and winds up coming out unable to talk. He indicated that he saw an angel. Worse yet, he got the point across to us that Elisheva was supposed to have a child. He is such a good man, I didn't understand his stories. They were too incredible to believe. They are both so very old. But he is such a righteous man and he'd not have any reason or motivation to lie to us like that. But shortly after, it came true! Elisheva had conceived! I don't know whether to praise YHVH or just throw up my hands in disbelief.
And now, this!
Miriam... my beautiful betrothed wife. She too tells of such stories that are impossible to believe. I am heart-broken. I've spent my life doing the best I can to live properly. I find this beautiful young woman and have betrothed her to be as my wife. She too is so good, which makes the story even harder to believe. I find no way of believing her. I trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but I cannot trust her. No, the Festival of Lights is upon us, but I do not feel any joy for the occasion.
Beginning of Winter, Dec. 23rd:
Sleepless nights in this time of joy is not the way a righteous man should be living. I love Miriam more than my own life. I wanted to send her away peacefully and not disgrace her. But something within cries out that she is not the one who is at fault here. I dare only confide to you in my writing than an angel of YHVH came to me in a dream. It is not her fault, nor is it the child's within her. Just as Zacharyah had doubted and was struck dumb, so too have I doubted. Had I only heard what the prophets had said. Had I only seen that which the angel of YHVH had shown me before this time, I would not have aged these years that I have, in just so few a days.
Whereas I had purposed in my heart before, to send her away secretly, I have decided to send her to her relative, Elisheva, who is now six months with child. Elisheva, as she finds herself now, would benefit from the help of this young woman who is full of life and light. I must sort through these thoughts of mine. I can only do so alone. I pray that Miriam will be of a blessing to Zacharyah and Elisheva.
Spring, April 9th
I have been remiss in writing, but now, I must!
Such a greeting! I have missed Miriam so very much. Today is the first day of unleavened bread. Yesterday was Pesach. I am in Jerusalem as we should all be and I saw the crowd around him. Zacharyah was receiving tumultuous congratulations for the birth of his son, Yochanon. Truly, it is YHVH's blessing that his son should have been born on Pesach! He is such a good and deserving man. With Elijah to come at Pesach, I pray for Zacharyah that his son have the very power of Elijah. If it is any wonder, Zacharyah regained his ability to speak with the very words in naming his son when he told those who were rejoicing at his birth just what his name would be. People were astounded! YHVH has indeed favored him!
As I was on my way to the inner courts, I saw her standing in the court of the women. Her smile melted my heart. Her dark beautiful eyes held me captive. I could only do what was proper in greeting her as I passed by to see what the rejoicing of gladness was before of me, but my heart remained with her.
The end of this day has brought to my mind all of the business of the past few months. It is so very busy here in Jerusalem! It is also settled in my mind that Miriam is truly with the child of YHVH. The greetings and blessings that were both given and received when she first went to Elisheva are a marvel. The song Miriam now sings speaks of her humbleness and the wonderful glory and mercy of YHVH Himself for visiting His grace upon us! What is it that remains for us to see?
We have decided to stay here together until the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when Yochanon will be circumcised. I am so very happy for Zacharyah. I am so very humbled by the gift which Miriam now bears. I can only throw up my hands in praise and honor!
Autumn, Oct. 1st:
The summer months have been hectic, having had to prepare a place for my bride and making sure that she was taken care of. There has been scant time to write. But, as I write this by lamplight, we are on the road to Bethlehem due to the decree from the Roman emperor. Nazareth, in Galilee, is so very far to travel from, under such conditions. This couldn't have come at a worse time, with the festival of Sukkot coming up and Miriam with child. It is so very busy at this time of the year with everyone coming into Jerusalem for the third and final festival that we all must attend. Things will be in short supply as they always are. We're hoping to find a lamb and we will probably need two, if Miriam has the baby now. She is so very close. She is such a gentle and beautiful woman, yet so very strong. I marvel at her as she rides quietly upon that donkey.
October 2nd, shortly after noon:
We arrived in Bethlehem after mid-day and have spent the day looking for a place for Miriam to rest. It's been impossible to find a room, due to all the pilgrims flooding Jerusalem, five miles away, for the feast. I fear that our only resort will be to build the succah that the feast calls for and spend our time there. Whispers surround us, as we go through the streets of my small village.
October 2nd, evening:
We've finished the succah. Several neighbors helped us when they saw Miriam struggling to put up the walls with me. Still, try as I might, she wouldn't stay away from helping to build it. She has had such a hand in all of this. Her name suits her well toward inactivity, she rebels against it. Such is her beauty.
It has been some time since we finished our temporary dwelling and Miriam has been rest....
She calls! It is not her normal voice... SHE CALLS!
October 3rd:
It is with tears of joy that I write! Times of trouble, past! Times of doubt, gone! Such a magnificent night of wonders! Miriam began her pains of childbirth before the sun had set and scant hours had passed before joy began to reign. Into the night, we marveled at this child.
Before long, we had heard of rumors about a group of shepherds who were somehow terrified during the night in their fields and yet began to race about the country-side proclaiming a message. Some of our neighbors who had helped us build our own succah began to look on Miriam in wonder, bringing the news to us of what the shepherds had brought. The shepherds eventually made their way to us.
We had no place to lay the child as Miriam's arms grew weary of holding him, so we found the perfect bed for him wherein food is laid out for the animals. We wrapped him in swaddling clothes and this seemed to be as some sort of sign for the shepherds. They were marveling at the simple fact that this child was in the manger, while they were giving praise to YHVH.
Others, who had heard the shepherds, raced into Jerusalem, shouting and yelling their message to whoever could hear. Many thought they were drunk. Some thought they were crazy.
With Sukkot being “the season of our gladness”, much rejoicing was already taking place in Jerusalem, but with the shepherds' message, many began to take note. It was not long before word got to the Temple. There were men there; men of great learning who had come from afar. They said that they had divined this time through Scripture and had made the journey from the east, seeking first up at the Temple and then here to Bethlehem after they had consulted with the scribes and chief priests. Their words and their gifts have brought even more wonder to us, for they quoted the prophet in saying that in Bethlehem the Messiah was to be born. I cannot tell you of my feelings as I write this! This is beyond all wonder! Oh, the sin of doubt, banished forever! These men in all their finery, after coming in to the family, fell down before this child and worshiped him. What is this that has been brought upon us?
What is it that we shall see?
|
