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Christmas Story
by
Harry Buschman
“You’re sure you didn’t see them? A man and a woman – both Jews. We believe
the woman was pregnant.”
The innkeeper looked carefully at the two soldiers. They were from Herod, he was
sure of it. “We’ve
been full up all week – no room for transients. I would not have a pregnant
woman here in any case.”
The two men looked about them suspiciously. “It has been rumored that men from
the East have passed
through here also. Do you know where they went?”
“Why do you ask these questions? I run an honest inn here. I do not permit women
to stay, I allow no
trafficking in stolen goods either. If you care to search the premises I will
not stand in your way.”
The innkeeper smiled to himself, realizing that these men would not wait for his
permission if they
wanted to search the inn, but they were much to lazy to be bothered. ‘Men from
the East’ indeed. They
must be looking for the Palestinians.
“Yes, there were three men. They carried spices bound for Egypt. They tied up
here just after dark and
had something to eat, then they moved on.”
“Did they mention a star?” the tall one asked.
“Of course. Everyone has mentioned the star. You must have seen it yourself – it
seemed to hang
directly over the city of Bethlehem. Some say they have seen Angels – predicting
a new king.”
Emboldened now, he stared at the tall man. “Herod will not like that, will he?”
Both men pulled back their hoods, and just as the innkeeper thought, they wore
helmets with the seal
of King Herod. “I meant no offense, you understand,” the innkeeper said.
“We bear orders with the King’s seal. All infants are to be destroyed, along
with those who harbor
them. I have just nailed the proclamation to your door, innkeeper. Perhaps now
you might remember a
man and his wife, more than likely pregnant – perhaps even looking for a place
to stay?”
“What a beastly thing to do,” the innkeeper thought. The rumors must be true,
then. “No,” he said
aloud. “There was no one here, just the men from the East. They left hours ago.
You can look for
yourself.”
The man and the wife had a good two hours start ... half way to Egypt by now. By
morning they would be
outside the jurisdiction of Herod, and then ... who knows. Miracles can happen.
the end
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