Chapter Twelve

Hananiah led the group to a tent a small ways up the hill. "Family, we must move close together so we will be able to find lodging for the night." Everyone stopped in front of the doors, and Hananiah knocked on the door. A woman in a brown tunic and red headdress opened the door. "Do you have room for my family? We are weary from traveling."

"Shalom," said the servant. "Welcome. I believe we are full, but do come in."

"Come, family," said Hananiah, leading the group into the tent.

There was a low table along one wall. Behind the table were pillows and a chair in the corner. People sat on the pillows, eating the food from the table and talking and laughing. Once everyone was inside, the servant closed the doors. The servant then walked over to the table, looking at a man that was standing in front of the table.

"Master, do we have room for another kind family?" asked the servant.

"Unfortunately, no," said the innkeeper. "Because of the census, we are full."

"Oh, yes, every room is filled," said the innkeeper's wife. "The people here will be bedding in this room. We earlier had a couple come and the best I could do for them was to give them a place in the stable out back."

"There are no rooms left in Bethlehem," said Ruth. "Perhaps there is room in the stable for us?"

"I do not believe there is any space left," said the wife. "Our stable is not large."

"But look at our children," said Ruth. "We are all so tired and cold."

"You are our last hope," said Hananiah.

"Brother, remember the Word of God says, 'Why so downcast, O my soul; put your hope in God,'" said the wife.

The innkeeper thought for a moment. "Kind family, go check with my stable keeper to see if there is room for another family." He bent down a little to talk to the children in the group. "Do be careful not to frighten the animals or disturb the family when you enter the stable." He straightened up and looked at the group in general. "The young woman gave birth to a baby earlier this evening."

"A baby?" yelled Hananiah in excitement. "Sir, we have heard from angels!"

"Angels!" yelled several people around the table as they climbed to their feet.

"The Messiah has been born in Bethlehem tonight!" said Hananiah. "Could this baby be the Messiah?"

"Surely not," said the servant. The people in costumes quickly fell silent and downcast in response. "God would not have the Messiah be born in a stable.

"Would it not be wonderful if it were true?" said a woman standing behind the table. "Our prayers for our Messiah, Immanuel, finally come to earth to bring hope to this dark world and to save us."

She raised her arms, eyes closed and began singing: (look up this song on Youtube. It's beautiful.)

"O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."

As she continued singing, the doors on the other side of the tent opened, and Hananiah quietly led the group out.