A Story of God and All of Us - By Roma Downey Page 0,82

rest. I'm tired and so is the donkey. Let's stop here."

A boy steps forth, carrying a bundle of kindling. He wordlessly hands it to Joseph, who accepts it, and sees the boy's father tending a flock of sheep in the distance. Joseph nods to the shepherd in thanks, even as the boy scurries away.

Their journey has been filled with a dozen such kindnesses. Mary and Joseph are both coming to grips with her imminent motherhood of the Messiah. From now on, all generations will call her blessed.

She curls up by the fire as a hard gust of wind rakes the hillside. Joseph sits down at her side and covers her with a rough blanket. She falls asleep, even as the great star once again rises into the night. Joseph will stay up most of the night, making sure the fire stays strong and keeps his beloved and her unborn child warm.

Herod gazes out into the coming night. He sees the unusual star shining in the east, but thinks nothing of it until the lavishly dressed Balthazar is escorted into the royal chamber. "So what brings you here, oh prince?"

Herod demands, his voice echoing off the marble pillars.

"I just want to know if there is an official word about these signs?" Balthazar asks, trying to be as deferential as possible. He knows Herod's reputation for whimsical evil.

Herod stares at his guest, deciding how best to deal with him. "What signs?"

he asks.

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"The star. The new star rises in the east. I have followed its progress. The star is a sign that a great man is coming."

Herod glares at him. Not wanting to ignite Herod's legendary temper, Balthazar quickly motions for his men to lay out their elaborate charts of the stars on the marble floor. He then goes on to explain how he was guided by the star to Jerusalem.

But Herod isn't listening. He stares intently at Balthazar. "Every week," he finally says, "someone claims to be the chosen one. But those are mostly madmen in the marketplace--easily ignored, and just as easily silenced. So are you telling me that I should take your charts and your belief in a chosen one seriously?"

"Very seriously, sire." Balthazar once again motions for his men to step forward. This time they hold gifts in their arms. "We bring this chosen one presents fit for a king," he tells Herod.

That gets Herod's attention. "King?"

"Yes, Majesty. This man will become King of the Jews."

An awkward silence fills the chamber, making it quiet enough to hear a snake slither. Balthazar realizes he has just said something wrong.

Herod's eyebrows rise "Really?" he says through pursed lips.

"Yes, Majesty. This is from God. This is prophesied. The heavens testify to his arrival."

Herod smiles warmly, feigning a religiosity that he does not possess. "It has been testified? Really? If that is so, then we must do something immediately to pay homage."

Herod summons the captain of the guard and whispers in his ear. "Bring me the priests and scribes. I need a word with them." Then Herod dismisses Balthazar with a wave of his hand, walks to a terrace, and gazes out over Jerusalem. There, in the midst of darkness and turmoil, rises the star.

Herod curses. "I am king of the Jews. And I will forever remain king of the Jews," he vows to himself. "I will keep my throne."

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Joseph wakes Mary from a deep sleep and loads the donkey. He walks

quickly, leading the animal down the rocky hil side by its rope.

Mary groans. "It won't be long now, Joseph," she says.

"We're getting close to Bethlehem. I'll hurry," he replies, picking up the pace.

Mary is in agony, clutching her stomach and trying not to cry out in pain. To their shock, the streets of Bethlehem are a sea of people, all of them looking for someplace to sleep. They've all traveled there for the census. The young couple look around, overwhelmed by the numbers.

"Thousand upon thousands," Joseph exclaims. "Why do they make us all register at once?" He pulls the donkey under an archway, where others already huddle. Mary's stiff cold fingers spasm as they lock around his arm.

"Joseph?"

He says nothing.

"Joseph!" There is a desperation to her words: the baby is coming.

"I'll find a place," Joseph responds. He leaves Mary and the donkey, and then runs, searching for someplace warm and private where she can deliver the baby.

But no such shelter exists in Bethlehem tonight. Joseph is turned away time and time again. The innkeepers are kind but insistent: there is no room