Chapter Four
Dean and Sam walked down the trail after their guides with the rest of the group, with Ruth bringing up the rear. They made a stop halfway down the small hill. It appeared they were stalling for time, as groups were currently at the first scene on both trails. There appeared to be an upper trail on their right and a lower trail on their left. A woman stepped off the hill and approached the group.
"Well, shalom, family!" said the woman. "Where are you traveling to on this cold night?"
"We are traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the Roman census," answered Hananiah.
"Well, I wish you well on your journey," said the woman. "There is much celebration in Bethlehem. We must give the wedding call!"
"Oh, yes!" said Ruth, joining the woman.
Dean frowned at Sam. "Wedding call?"
The woman and Ruth pulled two women out of the group.
"Please, give the wedding call with us!" said the woman. "Ready?" Ruth and the woman both gave a call that sounded like a turkey as they spun around. The two women from the group quickly retreated back into the group.
"Well, shalom, family!" said the woman. "Have a safe journey!"
"Shalom!" Hananiah and Ruth greeted as the group began moving again.
The group approached the trail on their right, coming to a tent with a blue light shining on it. There was a small fence in front of the scene with a campfire behind it. A man, woman and child stood in front of the tent.
"Family, there is a camp ahead!" said Hananiah, leading them towards the scene. "Come, gather close! Let the little ones up front! Warm yourselves by the fire!" Once the group had assembled in front of the fence, Hananiah stood at the edge of the fence on the right as Ruth stood at the edge of the fence on the left. "Shalom!"
"Shalom!" greeted the husband in the scene. "Family, it is good to see you!"
The husband stood at the left of the tent opening as the wife stirred a pot over the fire. The child sat on a stump near the tent.
"Shalom, brother!" said Hananiah. "It is good to see you as well! I would like for you to meet our family." He turned to the group. "Tell them our family name. We are the family of…" He waited for everyone to say the name together. A couple people muttered the name while most of them stayed silent.
"You do not know your family name?" asked the wife.
"They are just a little shy," said Ruth.
"Let us try this again," said Hananiah, motioning to the group. "We are the family of…"
Most of the group said "Hananiah" with him.
"Welcome, family of Hananiah," said the husband.
"It is obvious by this strange clothing, many of you are not from around here," said the wife.
"That is correct," said Hananiah. "But since we are all family, we must travel to the town of our father for the Roman census."
"We are just returning from our journey," said the husband. "Those Romans make life so hard. They tax us so heavily. Family, are you required to pay heavy taxes where you come from?"
As most of the group agreed, Sam and Dean shared a humorous look. None of the other people here knew they never paid taxes in their life.
"With heavy taxes and the demands placed upon us, life can be overwhelming at times," said Ruth.
"Yes, what you say is true," said the wife. "But never forget, our hope is in our Messiah. When He comes, we will be a free people."
"Mother, tell them what the Holy scrolls, God's Word, says of our hope," said the child.
"Yes, when I am discouraged, I remember what King David wrote in the Psalms," said the wife. "'Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.'"
"King David also wrote in the Psalms," said the husband, "'Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God…Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.'"
"Selah," said Hananiah. "Amen."
"Our coming Messiah is our hope," said Ruth.
"Yes, He will come from Israel, of the tribe of Judah and the house of David," said the husband. "Our hope is that with the Messiah's help, we will be our own Kingdom, free of those Romans." All the people in costumes agreed.
"Would you like to stay and sup with us?" asked the wife. "We would be glad to share our fig cakes and curds."
"Oh, Hananiah, could we stay and eat?" asked Ruth.
"No, we must be on our way," said Hananiah. "We have far to travel this evening."
"Have a safe journey," said the husband. "Be sure to keep your papers with you."
"Yeah, Sammy," muttered Dean. "Keep your papers with you."
"Shut up," muttered Sam, elbowing Dean.
"Remember, put your hope in God," said the wife.
"Shalom!" greeted Hananiah as he moved around the group to lead them away. "Shalom!"
"Have a safe journey!" the family in the woods greeted as they left the scene.