NOTE: Four weeks ago i began posting a series of five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. This is the fifth and final story in that series. These stories are fictional first-person accounts of the prophecies and events surrounding the advent of Jesus. Some of the characters and details are fictional, but you will find the truth they convey to be very REAL! My prayer is that, through the telling, you are reminded of the Good News of Advent this Christmas season. To that end, let’s look at the account through the eyes of Levi:
Mary – the virgin (November 18)
Eli – the father of Mary (November 25)
Miriam – the hostess (December 2)
Sarah – the granddaughter of Miriam (December 9)
Levi – the rabbi in Bethlehem (This week – December 16)
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I am Levi, the chief rabbi in Bethlehem. Before you become too impressed with my position, remember that Bethlehem is ordinarily a small town – when the census is not taking place – and there are only three rabbis in our synagogue.
During my younger days, I was a student of Hillel the Elder in Jerusalem. Hillel is still recognized as the highest authority on all spiritual matters among the Pharisees….