The Journey to Bethlehem

On the road to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary turned off at a rest stop, where there was water and hay for the donkey. “Joseph,” Mary said, “Did you remember to make reservations?”

“Yes, I called,” Joseph said, “and they said my call was being recorded for quality assurance. Then I had to listen to this awful music, something about jingling bells. Finally, someone said I had to go on line to make a reservation.”

Mary was tired. “Did you do that, Joseph?”

“I tried,” Joseph said, “but first I had to create an account. Then I had to think of a password with at least one capital letter, a numeral, and a symbol. Once I got to the site, I had to list how many guests were coming, how long we would be staying, whether we wanted smoking or non-smoking, and a king- or queen-size bed.”

“Oh, Joseph,” Mary sighed.

“I figured we would stay just long enough to pay our taxes.”

“And for the baby to be born,” Mary added, “and with all this bouncing on the road, that will be sooner rather than later.”

The couple were silent as they took out pita bread and hummus and drank from their water bottles.

It was late at night when the weary travelers reached Bethlehem. They stopped first at the Jacob’s Ladder Motel, but there was a “no vacancy” sign in the window. Same at the Hebrew Holiday.

At the center of town was the Star of David Hotel, but no one was at the front desk, and a sign said: “Please visit us at www.starofdavidhotel.com to make a reservation—and take advantage of our Star Rewards program when you use our credit card.” Another sign had been added. It said, “Scan the QR code for our special winter rates.”

Exhausted, Joseph and Mary continued on their way through town. “I’ve heard there’s a B&B on the outskirts,” Joseph said.

“Whatever,” Mary said, “just make it quick.”

At the B&B Joseph knocked. No response. He knocked again and again until finally the home owner opened the door. Disheveled and sleepy, he stared at Joseph, and behind him a woman on a donkey.

“Sorry, we’re full,” he said.

“But, my wife,” Joseph said, “she’s, she’s about to …”

Another head appeared in the doorway, a woman in a bathrobe with curlers in her hair.

“Ruben,” she said, “what’s going on?” Then, “The poor dear,” looking at Mary, who was breathing heavily. The donkey snorted.

“We do have the barn behind the house,” the landlord said. “It’s not fancy, but I expect you’ll find it warm. There’s straw enough for a bed. Sarah will get some blankets.”

“Please,” Mary said, “please, hurry.”

“Come with me, honey” Sarah said, helping Mary make her way to the stable. “And Ruben, listen to me, carefully. Boil some water and bring towels and swaddling cloths.”

“You can fill out the paperwork tomorrow,” Ruben said to Joseph. “Are you expecting any guests?”

“Not that I know of,” Joseph replied. “But you never know.”

Note: Ben Jacques writes a column for the Stoneham Independent. He is the author of If the Shoe Fits: Stories of Stoneham Then & Now, available at the Book Oasis on Main St. in Stoneham.