AN UNEXPECTED GUEST (to be read on Dec 23)
(continued from THE WEARY COUPLE)
- written for children by Aurrsa.
Farmer Shalom was retiring for the night, having locked the front door and shuttered the windows. He called out to his wife, "Sarah, have you stoked the fire in the bedroom? The winter is getting chillier by the minute!"
His wife answered in the affirmative and slowly ascended the stairs to their room. She was bone-weary from doing all the housework in addition to cooking for the families who had come for the census and cleaning the two extra rooms let out.
She peeped into the children's bedroom as she passed by. Her three cherubs were fast asleep. Smiling maternally, she tiptoed out and, was about to enter the master bedroom, when there was a loud knock on the front door.
Farmer Shalom hurried to the door, wondering what the matter could be. Neighbours usually never came so late at night unless there was an emergency. He opened the door and saw the innkeeper, a dear friend of his, at the door.
"Shalom, I'm really sorry to disturb you at such a late hour, but this is an emergency. A man and his wife have come all the way from Nazareth for the census and have no place to stay for the night. Can you accommodate them in one of your extra rooms?"
Farmer Shalom looked beyond the innkeeper and saw a haggard Joseph, holding the reins of the donkey with Mary astride, looking so weary and his face fell. He wanted to help but what was he to do? Both the rooms were full.
His wife had come to the door by then. She too saw the couple and her heart melted. She could see Mary, heavily pregnant, and she recalled her own delivery days. She took her husband aside and whispered,"What about the stable? We can prepare a small place in there."
Farmer Shalom was annoyed by his wife's suggestion. What? Keep the couple in a dirty, smelly stable? Was she out of her mind?
Just then, Mary, perceiving their dilemma, spoke," Any place will do, kind sir. I just need a place to rest.
And so it happened that two beasts were suddenly awakened by activity in their stable that night. An unexpected guest!
Rest tomorrow. Enjoy the sweets and keep some for an unexpected guest. 😀
#aceseasonofjoy
@copyrightaurrsa
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