NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress
When Joseph stepped out to go to work one morning some months later, he saw some Roman soldiers posting a notice at the market. He wondered what it was about but did not want to approach the site while the soldiers were there. Instead, he turned and continued on to Sepphoris. When he got there, he stopped in at Joachim’s home to see if he was still there. He wanted to ask him if he knew what was going on.
Joachim was still home and after exchanging greetings Joseph asked about the activity he had seen.
“Oh, that,” said Joachim, “Yes, seems the Roman Governor Quirinius from Damascus wants a census. They made a big to-do about it with an official proclamation at the market yesterday. We men all had to go and listen. No doubt checking to see whether they are getting the taxes they want. Taxes, taxes, taxes, that’s all they want. But what do we get? H-m-m-ph!” he snorted, “Usually nothing.”
“Will this have much effect on us?” Joseph asked.
“Well, yes, come to think of it. Our families still have rights to some land around Bethlehem. Rights that go back to King David’s time. Most of his descendants, like so many of our people, have been wiped out over the years. So, with the small lineage we have left, we are still privileged to have land claims there. Although it’s not much of a privilege when you consider we will have to go there at the census time to verify our claims there. We’ll have to make some plans to look after that when the time comes. Meanwhile, son,” Joachim said laying his hand on Joseph’s shoulder, “We’ve got a day’s work ahead of us.”
When he got home from Sepphoris that evening, Joseph asked his father about this business of land in Judea and having to go there at the census time. After thinking about it for some time, Jacob said, “Joseph, you are younger than I am. You know I can’t walk well for great distances. Why don’t you go on our family’s behalf. And take Mary with you to represent her family. She’s a woman but our Law has precedent that women can attest to their rights too. Especially if we give you proper documentation to take with you about that. You will be alright. You know the way. And it’s about time you pay a visit to that new relative in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s family and bring them a token of our well wishes.”
Mary, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, brightened up at that prospect. “Oh, father, do you think it would be alright for me to go and see Aunt Elizabeth and the new baby? That would be wonderful.”
Jacob replied, “Yes, it would be good, but we have to be careful. You are coming near to the time of having your own son. We don’t want to put you and this holy child you are carrying at risk. I will see again about hiring a donkey for you to ride on so we can do our best to ease your travel.”
“Oh father,” Mary replied, “that would be wonderful.”
The following evening at dinner Jacob sighed and began to speak, “I have tried all day to find a donkey for you to use Mary. It seems with all this traveling to complete the census, there isn’t a donkey nearby available. Maybe we’ll have to rethink our travel plans for you and Joseph.”
Mary straitened up and looked at her father, then her mother, “Father, mother, I want to go, even if I have to walk. The Highest One who has cared for us so far will look after us even if we are walking.”
Jacob and Naomi glanced at each other. Both thought of how well things had turned out for the couple so far, despite their many earlier anxieties. Jacob spoke, slowly, “Mary, I believe you are right. We don’t want to tempt fate, but you are a servant of one who is higher than any other power.” Jacob also recalled a certain prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem but he did not want to bring that up. Then they would all be more anxious, thinking about the possibility of Mary giving birth away from family and home.
So it was that arrangements were completed and a few days later found Joseph and Mary retracing the steps they had taken only some 8 months before. The plan was to complete the business in Bethlehem, then stop off at the relatives in Jerusalem to give their greetings before going on for a brief visit with Zechariah and Elizabeth and their newborn son.
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