Chapter Seven
They approached another camp on the right.
"Come, family!" called Hananiah. "Shalom!"
"Shalom!" greeted a man in a blue tunic.
The blue tunic was white at the bottom with gold tassels hanging from the blue part. He wore a blue hat with a white shawl hanging down from the back of it. Another man dressed similarly stood by the tent. Two women wearing blue tunics and blue headdresses stood near the campfire. One woman was adjusting the first man's robe. A lamb was tied to the tree near the women.
"Family, gather close!" called Hananiah. "Let the little ones near the front! Warm yourself at the fire!"
Ruth brought up the rear and they took their usual places at the ends of the fence.
"Travelers, you are welcome to share our fire," said the man in the tunic. "Come and gather around."
"Shalom," said Hananiah. "We are the family of Hananiah, a simple family, and we are on a journey to Bethlehem."
"My name is Levi," said the man. He gestured to the woman adjusting his robe. "My sister Lourai," he gestured to the woman by the fire, "my sister Lirai," he gestured to the other man in a blue tunic, "my brother Libni. We are Levites."
"Who would give four siblings names like that?" muttered Dean.
"Family, do you have time that I could share a wonderful story with you?" asked Libni.
"Yes, of course," said Ruth.
"I must tell you about our cousin Zechariah, who is also a priest," said Libni. "Just fifteen months ago, he went into the Temple and the angel Gabriel appeared to him. He gave him a promise of a son. Because Zechariah doubted God, the angel made him mute. He could not utter a word."
"When Elizabeth gave birth six months ago, Zechariah named their son John as the angel told him to," said Lourai. "And then another miracle—he could speak once again. We believe God must have a special purpose for this baby."
"That is a wonderful story," said Ruth. "Yes, this baby John will become a very special man one day."
"We are taking this lamb to Jerusalem to offer to God as the sacrifice for our sin," said Libni.
"Can you imagine?" asked Levi. "Me, Levi the Levite, I get to offer the sacrifice."
"Kind family, as priests, you are very special," said Hananiah. "And I agree God must have a plan for this special baby, John. But we are just very common, ordinary people. There is nothing special about us."
Ruth agreed with him.
"Oh, family, God has a purpose for everyone," said Levi. "He loves you. Zechariah recorded God's Words, saying 'The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love…'"
"Dear friends, we wait upon the Lord and He guides us," said Lirai. "Remember what the Word of God says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.'"
"Our hope rests in our coming Messiah," said Libni. "In Him, we will see the love God has for each one of us."
"Maranatha," said Levi. "Come, Messiah!"
"Yes, come, Messiah!" called Hananiah. "My family must be on our way to Bethlehem. Thank you for your words."
He began leading the group away from the scene.
"Shalom," said the Levites. "Be careful on your travels."
"And remember, if you see an angel as my cousin Zechariah did, show respect and believe everything he says," said Levi.
"Never doubt the Word of God," said Libni. "It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light onto our path."
Hananiah led the group away from the camp.