NOTE: Two weeks ago i began posting a series of five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. 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 five very different individuals:
Mary – the virgin (November 18)
Eli – the father of Mary (November 25)
Miriam – the hostess (This week – December 2)
Sarah – the granddaughter of Miriam (December 9)
Levi – the rabbi in Bethlehem (December 16)
* * * * *
I am Miriam and have lived my entire life here in Bethlehem. In ancient times, the town was called Ephrath, meaning “fruitful.” The first reference to Ephrath in our history is that Jacob’s wife, Rachel, died near here giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin. That is significant to me because my lineage follows the tribe of Benjamin. As a matter of fact, King Saul was one of my ancestors. My lineage follows his oldest daughter, Merab….