On Bethlehem Road Part III

I have never been too far away from home for any length of time - especially over the holidays.  I can't imagine the plight of our brave troops throughout the Middle East and other parts of the world during this time of year.  In his writings, Stephen Ambrose described the loneliest spot in the world, when he wrote about a new replacement trooper in a foxhole, in Bastogne on Christmas Day, 1944.

I am sure that Mary and Joseph must have felt some sort of connection to Bethlehem, it was after all, for Joseph, the birthplace of his family. I think we can safely assume that they longed for their arrival at Bethlehem.  If, for no other reason, they could finally complete the journey and rest.

Maybe they found solace in the story of a shepherd-king - the great-great-grandson of Naomi - who had a deep longing for that same little town - Bethlehem ... his home town.  David found himself cut off from his village and a band of Philistines-perennial nemesis to David and the Israelites- had apparently taken control of the burg.

David longed - I think - for some connection with his roots; if he could only somehow touch something of his past - his people.  He remembered the well just inside the gate, maybe he had stopped there often as a lad, when his father sent him into town.

He remembered the refreshing taste of its cool waters and he said something about that longing out loud.

Three of David's mighty men heard him.  Their devotion to David was so great that they didn't seem to bother to stop and calculate the risks; they simple bounded headlong toward Bethlehem. 

Apparently the audacity of their mission so shocked the Philistines that they were unable to mount a defense.  The brave warriors broke through the line and returned back through the line with a dipper full of Bethlehem well water.

David's loyalty to his men was such that he could not lightly partake of this gift for which they had hazarded their very lives.  Because he could offer the gift to none greater - he poured out the water as an offering to God Almighty.

Maybe all this noble devotion and heartfelt loyalty provided some courage to that Christmas Couple as they made their way along to Bethlehem Road.  At any rate, they stayed the course and made their destination - where many more hardships awaited them.

Just as all those other stories along the Road, fed into their story - their story feeds into ours.  For the Child Mary would bear and Joseph would help to rear, would make all of our stories possible.