Fraternity-Testvériség, 1970 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-10-01 / 10-12. szám
Cljr Christmas i^tor# AUNT SARAH’S GIFTS by Andrew Harsanyi The three shepherds sat silently around the fire. They pulled their mantles tight for there was a chilly wind riding over the Bethlehem field. Abner, the youngest of the three,\rose: “I’ll go and see if all are there.” John and Mark didn’t even look up, fust nodded. A while later, Abner reported: “They’re all sleeping. All is quiet.” He didn’t sit down but looked searchingly at the sky over Bethlehem. “The star is still there” — he said, “still as bright as the night before last.” And after a pause he added, “But the baby was brighter. I still can’t figure out why his face shone so brilliantly.” “He is a beautiful baby” — John, the second shepherd remarked. “Fes, beautiful” — Mark, the third of them Joined in the quiet conversation. “But that still doesn’t explain the radiance of his face. Unless we know it is the beauty of holiness. I think the blessing of Aaron has become true: the face of the Lord shineth through that baby.” Their silence continued and a gentle smile on their lips showed that they were reliving their visit at the cave two nights before. “I want to see him again” — Abner suddenly said and taking his staff in his hand started walking. “Are you coming with me?” “And leave the sheep?” — Mark asked with anxiety. “We left them the day before yesterday” — John replied. “They’re all quiet. We can be back before the morning breaks. Anyway, I don’t know why but everything seems to be at peace since that baby was bom.” At the cave — it was used as a stable by the town inn — they found excitement. “Imagine” — Joseph, the husband told them — “early this morning three noblemen came. First we were scared for they said they were looking for the new king of the world and a star had led them right here.” Young Mary, holding the baby in her lap with her eyes fixed at the baby’s face said softly yet somehow rebukingly: “They were looking for my Jesus and they found him . . Joseph continued his excited account as if he hadn’t even heard Mary’s remark: “And, you know, the three men told us that they had come from very, very far away, from the East, and that they had journeyed for many weeks just to see our little boy. Imagine that!” “What else did they say — or do?” John asked. Well, they knelt before the manger and . . . and adored the child. Yes, they adored him. Then, one by one they took out gifts. Look, here they are: a purse of gold — look at the purse, these precious stones adorning the purse are a fortune by themselves. The second placed a box and the third a jar in front of the manger. They said it was frankincense and myrrh. Kingly gifts, sure, but what on earth are we going to do with them? Burn the frankincense in this stable? Or rub the baby with myrrh under these rags??”’ “But the gold ...” — Mark encountered. “Sure, the gold” — Joseph’s voice got impatient — “what about the gold? Do you think we could spend one piece of it in this unfriendly town? They would arrest us as robbers at once. The whole thing is so incredible. You know, they said they were astrologers from Sippar. from Babylon. The land where our fathers hod been in caotivity. They spoke about the star that had led them all the way here, and they also said that the star indicated the birth of the world’s new king. Now everything would be different, this is the beginning of a new era — whatever that means. And then they just went away. Does this all make sense to you? An incredible story” — Joseph muttered to himself. Mary’s soft voice was just as rebuking as before: “Incredible, Joseph? But if we believed what the Lord’s Angel was saying why would this be so incredible? The Lord’s Angel said the baby would be called the Son of God and also that God’s promises could never fail. Now if my son is the Son of God he can also be the king of the world. Just as those great wise men said.” Mary’s reasoning was simple like any mother’s. The men were unable to contradict her. After a little while Abner spoke up, “Well, we too had come here at the word of the Angel. And we sure found you as he told us.” Joseph, with a sigh, gave in: “You’re right, of course. After all, I, too had done as the Lord’s Angel directed me to do. And yet, it’s so incredible. So wonderful, but so incredible . . .” When the shepherds left, it was close to midnight. “Incredible or wonderful” — remarked Abner — “the fact is that they are in pretty bad shape: the baby is still in rags, there is a nasty draft in the cave and they don’t seem to have too much to eat either. And Joseph was right: they cannot use the wise men’s gifts. They can’t peddle the frankincense and myrrh — it would be a shame to give them away for a few pieces of silver — and ttie foreign gold might arouse suspicion. I say, something should be done!” Mark agreed: “Isn’t it a shame that we’ve been there twice already just gaping at the baby, listening to their story and doing nothing. Well, what should we do? Any ideas?” John’s face lit up: “I know. Why don’t we stop at my Aunt Sarah’s house and ask the old lady to let them stay there for a few days? It’s big enough and she sure could give them some food. I wish she were still awake.” Aunt Sarah was more than awake. There was quite a party in the house. As the three shepherds knocked on the door laughter and music came from inside. “Welcome, boys” — the old woman greeted them kindly. “I have some guests from out of town. Your cousin Jacob from Galilee brought them here.” And with a whisper she added: “They’re paying good gold for food and drink and lodging.” “Aunt Sarah,” said John —: “we have something to ask ... a favor . . . about a young couple and their baby boy just born the night before last. They’re now in the cave beside the town-inn and . . .” “John, please, tell me all about it tomorrow or the day after” — the old woman’s voice was not harsh just a little impatient — “you see how busy I am right now. The guests want another jar of wine and I have some fresh cake in the oven. I must go. Join the nartv if you want to. You’re always welcome, you know that.” And seeing John’s disappointed face, she added kindly: “And about your young couple don’t worry, we’ll help them when all this mess will be over. Then you come and tell me all about them.” “But Aunt Sarah . . . that new babv is the new king of the world, the Savior. The Lord’s Ansel told us all about him ...” — but Aunt Saiah didn’t hear it anymore, she was busy with her guests who paid gold for food and drink and room. Wordlessly the shepherds turned away from the house. Somehow, they lost the strength to go any other place 12
