DANIEL’S SUNDAY

An hour had passed, and Cingo is back again to his Lord’s room.

—“Where are these foreigners? Herod asked immediately.

—“You will find them at the Palace’s hallway by dawn.” Cingo replied.

—“How many are they?”

—“Not much. Your Palace’s slaves and I are enough to wipe them all out. If you desire.”

Herod was releived.

—“From where are they?” Herod asked again.

—“Two of them are from Persia or Seleucia, and the other one was from East Indies, according to the information their soldiers told me.” Cingo responded.

—“Therefore, those Persians ways are like these Patriarch’s, they refused to leave their houses when the night comes?” Herod said.

—“It is nearing dawn, my Lord; the sun is coming out.” Cingo said.

Herod then got up from his bed and walked towards the window, and looked at the sky.

—“Luckily,” Herod said, —but we are not under the circle of their Palace’s jurisdiction, where the bells of judgment hang in the balance from the resounding ringing of their tinkling cymbals, where the sound is a sign and depends from the people begging that someone is asking justice from their Lord. We are in Galilee, I am Jerusalem’s King, and I can punish their disobedience if that is what I like.”

While Herod says those words, he walks back and forth inside his room to hide the worries of his troubled heart.

Cingo is immovable like a big rock where he sits, and he is carefully watching. With his eyes, he followed every movement of his Lord, waiting for any orders to come at any moment immediately.

A secret door slowly and carefully opened, and a small gap of space gave way, and from the small crack can be seen beautiful and expensive wall coverings, known in Spanish word as “Tapiceria” (upholstery). A click sound startled Herod, and he turned around as quickly because in his mind, daggers in every direction are ready to kill him.

Like Herod, Cingo is quick to get hold of his wide machete’s handle from his waist and advanced himself in two steps towards the door to defend his King.

And suddenly, the abrupt appearance of Alejo at the door.

—“People are here, and they are waiting for your orders.” Alejo told his brother-in-law.

In a few seconds, Herod is wearing his Crown, the Laurel Crown on his forehead, pretending, composed and calmed from his distressed soul. He was in no time surrounded by the Jurists (Experts in law), including the Priests Prince’s. These Experts are so alarmed and in awe, not knowing the cause of this assembly by their King’s convocation. All are in silence and waiting for their King to announce the reason of this meeting.

After minutes of silence, Herod entered the hallway and firmly continued the course of action, persistent, despite the opposition. He looked at these aged Scholars in front of him, gave them the meaningful gaze, read through them, and tried to feel their state of mind. Then, with a smile on his lips, he talked with his sweet voice:

—“Great Scholars, Holy Priests, those couriers of news in your town, the prophecies of the Prophets, a warm welcome to everyone. If ever I called all of you here in my Palace at this time, for an urgent meeting, that is for no other reason but to tell you that here in Juda, I your King, is the first one to obey the Holy Law of Moses, because of my great desire to offer respect to your God that is ethereal, I would like to ask all of you: “From what direction could the Messiah be born?”

Those Scholars who understands the Scriptures are confused and puzzled by this unexpected question, but they directly answered and in a non-stop proposition, said these words:

—“In Juda, the town of Bethlehem.”

Herod’s feelings, upon hearing the opening speech was disturbed right away. He was deafened, and he can’t help of what to say because he can see that those prophecies are fulfilling, which troubled him a lot. The elders of Israelites had noticed that this King is afflicted, tormented to hear the prophecies of the new coming King, they can see the mental anguish and pain of this King that’s plaguing Jerusalem. They want to eliminate and defeat the agonizing trouble of this Roman slave, Caesar’s favorite, and one of them continued to talk:

—“Understand Herod, since you told us that you are the first one to carry out and obey Moses Law; and the Prophet Daniel’s Sunday is almost over; the Messiah’s day, who’s going to save us is now nearing; the joyful dawn that will shine upon us through his melancholic ray of light, and the freedom of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel’s grandchildren were slowly bursting, carrying its’ passionate charm from Palestine’s Sky. The prophecies will be fulfilled, and God turned his merciful eyes through David’s land; this is why Jacob’s Star is born from the East.”

From these wordings of the Eldest Prophets in this meeting was quickly followed by the complete silence.

Doubts and fear are battling against Herod’s heart; not knowing what to say from the explanation given, he remained quiet and timid.

At last! After being blanked-out, and in a few seconds, he regained his composure from those opinions and viewpoints, and in a stuttering voice, he said:

—“Thanks to all of you, Wise Prophets! You explained to me one thing that’s been bothering me for quite a few days now. May God fulfills your desires; you can all go home now.”

—“We,” the Priests responded, —“are your servants, and since the Messiah is not here yet, simply make your commands, and we will obey you at once!”

These words can be misconstrued as a warning, but perhaps Herod can’t comprehend or maybe because of his mind’s disruption, upon hearing about this new King of Juda, a newly born child, he did not able to hear and pay attention to the offensive remarks about his face from those he administered.

The Hebrews, after saying goodbye to their King in full respect, they went and left the King’s room. Herod was left alone. Slowly, he recalled in his clear memory the Priest’s Prophecies. In his mind, he is like seeing the new King of Juda, waving His wholesome victory, the magnificent flag he carries across the continent, from East to West. Then, Herod remembered all those executions he ordered for his greed to strengthen his power. Big coiled of sweat glands from heavy perspirations slowly trickled down his crinkled forehead.

The noble blood of the Maccabbees flowed down like fountain during his reign. The Iron transport of his wickedness, the attaining end of this proud Lord is triumphantly on foot now all over Juda, the land he ruled, where he trampled underfoot Abraham’s grandchildren with his weight of burdens.

Mountain of gold sailed across the ocean, from Escalon to Gaeta, and deposited it at Roman’s foot to ask for protection. His children, spouses, friends, and relatives all died from his terrifying sharpened ax for a simple tiny disobedience; he harmed his own soul and ruined his own reputation with tens of his peace of mind because he often sees in his sleep those shadows bathed in blood, those people he had unjustly killed, where he always hear in every direction the curses of this oppressed town, and he feel it from his body. The Almighty God’s curse from the awful and the longest delayed, the forbearance from his sufferings because of the deadly pain.

And what is the reason for all this? A King from David’s descendants, a newborn child who came into this world. And this powerful, vengeful King is the one to stand up against him and shall drive him away from his Throne like a disgusting leper. This is what’s in Herod’s mind while he walks back and forth tirelessly in his room. The Idumean criminal is now consumed with fear, and this fearsome threat became a slayer for him until the very last moment of his life.

—“Oh! This will not happen!” Herod’s raging words, when he suddenly stopped across, at the foot of his Crown, and with its’ bright light strikes this Laurel Crown that sparkles brilliantly.

—“You are truly mine! Mine only! Until my last moment! And if needed, that I have to execute all the Israelite’s clans, and if I have to weaponize all my soldiers with their long spears, I will! My Germanic Tribes, my undaunted followers, will come out of Jerusalem, followed by the sounds of Trumpets for their beheadings, their warning for their very last moment! Yes I will eradicate all of you like Nebuchadnezzar did; even the dead from Jehoshaphat’s valley will not escape my rage. They were saying “Mar Muerto,” or the Dead Sea was from the submersion of Sodom and Gomorrha, because it rained sulfur and brimstones of fire, poured down to them from the angry heaven. Therefore the sandy Palestine, by the blood of his dreamy children, will become a sea before long and someday will be called “the sea of blood.”

Then Herod seemed to run out of all his strength from his sicklish soul, and collapsed in a big cushion, his frowned sulky face and his whole body is jerking and trembling.

He was in that form of motion when Cingo entered the room.

—“Foreigners from the other country are waiting.” exclaimed the servant.

—“Don’t they have any companion when they came?” Herod asked, and then he looked around, moved his sharpened eyes in fear.

—“So, is that your command?” Cingo replied. —“I considered your order a law.”

—“You are so good to me, my friend Cingo; you love your Lord, and your Lord will not forget this until his last moment, and it is not that long anymore that he owes you.” Herod said.

—“My life is yours; Tell me to die, and you will see me in death throes gasping from my last breath on your feet without a word.” Cingo replied.

Then Herod stretches his one arm, and Cingo kissed it with full respect. This is probably the only person that loves him throughout the entire Palestine.

—“What should I tell the Three Chaldeans?” Cingo asked again.

Then Herod stands up from where he laid, and faced the mirror. Then he took the vial, a small container with a sponge, and slowly dyed his beard and hair, and in an instant turned them into a shiny black hair and beard.

—“Those Chaldean’s might not take me seriously, and not give me the significance of being prominent once they see me with white hair; because people in old age are weak. It is much easier to deceive them when needed, isn’t it Cingo?”

The slave simply bowed down his head, and after the Idumean finished talking, a smile peered out his lips.

—“I am a different person now……………………….Let them in, only they are allowed and no soldiers, did you hear? Only they!” Herod cried.

Cingo went out, and Herod tried to maintain his calm demeanor. After the crowned his forehead, and wrapped himself with a beautiful and expensive Roman Robe around his shoulder, he sat down on a magisterial sofa and appeared to look like a noble and respectable King. When the Three Magi Kings emerged from the great door of this vast and glamorized room, Herod changed his face expression dramatically, different from an earlier time when he was talking to himself. Before he spoke to these newly arrived Kings, he looked and observed them first, as he reads their mind. At the same time, the Magi’s with their folded arms to their chests gave respect to the King of Jerusalem and waited for his command, as they stand in silence after entering upon his formal Imperial room.

A long awaited moment, and at last Herod talked to the Magi’s in a husky voice, and in gentle words, he said:

—“Come in, my honorable guests from the foreign country.”

The Three Kings guided by the Star obeyed the command of the King of Jerusalem!

THE LETTER FROM ROME

The story owned by Herod and Herod alone. Viewer discretion is advised.

Herod brought Jerusalem the tradition from the Cesare’s City, his arrogance and his adornment of decorating. The Architects and the Carpenters from Greece that at the time are admired most by the well-renowned people in Rome, where he constantly use them and pay them good money to glamorize his Palace.

Herod employed thick slaves from Ethiopia, those children from the summery land of Libya, loyal like a hound to their master. They worship Herod like a true God. Herod hired more slaves, to employ them, those red skins slaves with meek and humble faces from Syria to harmonize the atmosphere.

Herod named his bedroom “Cubicle,” and “Ginneo” (Ginnel), to another room where he hides his valuable gems and the Crown Real.

When his minions for hire surrounds him in the Palace, he gets crazy for the pleasure of Baco (god of liquor), for he wants to drown himself from the effect of “Falerno and Chipre” (varieties of wines from Italy and Greece). He is delighted to call all the gods and goddesses of Homer in Olympus. He ignores those necessary places in town and the joyful Crete (Island in the Mediterranean), that brings liquors to the “long-horned silver idol,” whenever they held this great feast of booze party, where he outcry his soul torn by his transgressions.

When Herod lived in Rome, he truly favored the freedman (Libertos) traditions; where it is believed that they have nothing to think of but fun and festivity. So he brought those obscene traditions to Jerusalem. At that time, Rome was the World’s Master, where their notability are now exhausted from having fun and pleasures. Their Dignitaries have theaters, circus, games in gymnasiums; this is where they show their intellect, agility in front of the maidens, the exercises of those Martius’s members (Campus Martius, the training ground, and the exercise arena of the Roman Army), where the girls praised their bravery.

At that time, they had one hundred (100) gods and goddesses where they offer incense, and their circus place is to exercise and train their skills for what they called “Gladiators,” where they wrestle, stab and pierce each other until they die or succeed and win. To shed blood, and to satisfy their old-time town hobby, is their horrific show.

Life there is like a spring of merriment, a crazy and intoxicating delusion, a money spending spree. The purpose is to bring all the pleasures and completely forget the vital requirements needed for the souls. In other words, the pleasures of the flesh outwits their souls. Love and war are the only two they abide. Parties and dancing are their Paradise, their feeling of great pleasure here on earth. Luxuries are their manners that prevail and pride for all.

To die in battle holding swords in their hands is the most desirable victory, the greatest death, for the fate they yearn. Fatigue and tiresome are the inseparable two that consumed their evil hearts.

How can the Kingdom’s unrests and chaos flown and shifted to the opposite side, driven and transferred to Jerusalem, a common ending for the fall of a Mighty Empire?

The Holy City, peaceful and calm like the sea of Galilee in a clear summer night, the modest mother of Abraham’s grandchildren and Jacob, are coming out from their dear Temples, after praying and following their pure beliefs from their faithful hearts to their Parent’s Gods. These maidens are shy, and their faces are always covered with thick veils every time they are out, and at home, their hobbies are weaving linens, and their children are brought-up through breastfeeding of milk. Can this laid back City with conservative people imitate Rome? That immortal and unclean City of the world?

The chosen City, the pure and soft dove from Jordan, the modest Jerusalem, that’s been cursing the Loba’s children. (could it be that because Loba’s women can marry many husbands?)

Herod’s plan to infuse the reformation in Jerusalem did not happen. Like Sparta’s cannot be initiated, with all the King’s intent to become Athens. Where Mount Golgotha is truly belonged to Jesus Christ, and the Island of Delphi is for Apollo.

Upon entering Herod’s Palace, across the large hall is a room garnished and elaborated with decors. From one of the beds made of Ivory and covered with soft pillows in deep red color, is where the King of Jerusalem laid. A table in triangle shape made of marble from Paros Greece, is as white as snow covering Mount Sabino’s peak. At the tabletop is rested a lamp in eagle form with outspread wings, a sparkling light coming out from its’ beak, is the Roman’s emblem. A Laurel Crown is sitting on top of a small pillow beside the lamp.

Herod is in a sitting position, and his head drooped down with his two hands covering his face, like he wants to hide his face. He is shaking like being lynched from the severe pain, and he is like being dissected inside his body.

The King is wearing a tunic in amaranth color (reddish-rose), wide and long through his heels, wrinkled from being tightened in the waist by the leather belt decorated with small silver stars scattered all around. A black veil embroidered with gold fastened at the top back side of his head, covering his thick black hair, while the full front area is center-parted that exposed his rough white curly hair. Laid on his shoulders are sparkling gold earrings dangling on his ears. His white beard and bushy eyebrows, the sunken eyes burning from within, his deep tawny skin, and thin wrinkled face is giving Herod the unbelievable and striking wild stance.

By observing Herod, anyone will believe that he is truly a grim person, with a soul of steel, and can be able to watch his family and descendants be slaughtered in front of him, with an empty eyes and a blank face, the soul is cold.

His big size feet are wearing sandals from Rome, it is engraved with brilliant diamonds with some gold buttons. Not far from his bed are two individuals leaning towards the full Divan bed covered with silks; the outskirts are hemmed with beautifying silver. These two settled people are a man and a woman. The woman is Salome, Herod’s sister fourteen years of age and truly very beautiful, but her demeanor resembles her brother’s face, hard and tough in appearance. The man is Alejo, Salome’s husband; he features a gentle face, and a cold gaze; he is stable in height and with a very white skin. In silence, they are reticent like they are in fear to stimulate the Grand Monarch’s serenity. The big cower of respect is portrayed clearly on their faces.

Alejo is holding a roll of paper, and from time to time, Salome would get-up to sprinkle some sweet scented charcoals mashed with dried leaves from Lebanon to a small Incense burner made of silver that give sweet scents of aroma to fill the room. Then silence again. The frequent snoring accompanied by a sigh of nightmares is the burden fleeing Herod’s chest, the only sounds that break the silence.

At last, Herod is awakened. He lifted-up himself and sat on his big pillow, and from that, the King’s movement alerted the couple that takes care of him and abruptly stand-up. Herod’s hands that ordered to kill Hyrcanus moved slightly away from his face and re-arranged his entangled grayed hair intertwined all over his scary face and throw a fierce glance in the entire room. Those eyes that resembles the Tiger’s eyes looking for a prey. The lighted beaming lamp strikes Herod’s face and shown on his broad and burnt forehead are those crisscrossed wrinkles, and from every line of each are the crimes he committed hiding beneath which doth worry his mind and made him remorseful. His protruded cheekbones, crooked nose, decussated beard, and small sparkling eyes gave him the horrible and wild look that can give chills to everyone who witnessed and saw his appearance.

Sixty years are buried from that dark soul, covered with those frightful crimes. His old age is disgusting and gruesome. Rounded and yellowish blotches scattered all over his face, deadly fermented fumes are coming out from him, a gruesome disease that is slowly killing him. It seems that those bruises and seething vapor coming out from within are his evil deeds grown weary, perhaps from molding his evil heart to good, but it all came out to his face to give him the grisly and ugly appearance like his soul.

Then Herod looked around. He observed and filled with worries, that all that surrounds him seemed terrified, a paranoid feeling from all the drugs he’s taking. Then he slowly went on and as he glared around, he saw that his Laurel Crown was laying at the tabletop; he transfixed his eyes on that Crown, and observed it with admiration for quite a while, then spoke like his voice is coming from out of the cave, and he is talking to himself:

—“My children are yearning………..that they want to being crowned in the near future……….and they have accomplices, the City Doctors are their accomplicess, those traitors!……..Oh! If I am still alive by tomorrow and those Doctor’s knowledge are truly beneficial, oh, but no they are not capable to cure me anymore. In that case, I will order them to hang on my Palace’s door, those thick Doctors that sell treatments for cures but they are neglecting their King and left to die soon at the corners of my room.”

Then he faced his brother-in-law and continued to talk:

—“Did you hear Alejo? As early as possible by tomorrow, do not forget, I want all the Doctors to hang because their knowledge to cure can do nothing, and I am tremendously suffering………tremendous suffering! This pain is so extreme! It is like I have a venomous snake in my stomach, one in the heart and one more in my brain, the unending gnawing pain and chewing. What’s the use of being a King if I have to endure this kind of pain?”

When Salome heard this, she immediately took the silver flask with drugs in it. She put two drops of medication in a silver cup and gave it to his brother, and at the same time she said these words:

—“Drink this my brother, this can calm down your pain for a little while.”

The sick King took the cup, and after he looked at the cup containing drugs, he said in a hoarse voice:

—“I know you’re not going to betray me because you love me and your husband too; you are the only two I can trust and consider my relatives. I would like to repay your service to me. We shall see.

Then like a one shot drink, he swallowed what’s in the cup.

—“But!” Herod continued. —“My children in Rome with all their heart, why don’t they offer me one black female, in particular a mother (human sacrifice), at the altar of Aesculapius (serpent-entwined god), and so I could get better and regained my strength again?”

—“Your children,” Alejo replied, then he went near to the sick King laid on his bed. —“Instead of praying for your recovery, they betrayed you and formally charged you to Caesar Augusto.”

—“Charged me?” Herod bolted-up and slammed himself, sitting at the edge of his bed.

—“For what reason?”

—“This paper will explain it to you.” Then Alejo handed him a rolled parchment of paper he is holding.

Herod took the paper and came near to the lamp on the table, and while untying the rolled parchment, he is whispering to himself like this:

—“Let me see what my beloved children complained against their father.” Followed with his evil smile, he read the letter and with a scary voice, he spoke these words:

—“Ah!……………they’d reported me and denouncing me to Caesar, that I am a murderer and oppressive, they even said that I ordered to execute their mother Mariamne and their grandmother Alexandra with no reason but just a hobby to kill people; because I am simply a King that pays taxes, and Augusto ordained me to defend myself………I am going, I am going my children, but you’re all going to be miserable!”

While saying these words, his eyes all of a sudden turned sharp, like a two bolt of lightnings strike his two eyes. His teeth are gnashing, and it sounds like grinding stones, with his intense anger that causes him to crunched and crumpled those papers with his hands that’s looked almost like bones.

—“My brother,” said Salome in a sweet smile and a loving voice, —“forget your children and Caesar, think of your recovery.”

—“You’ve got the reason Salome,” Herod responded. —“Alejo should not have given me this letter.” Then he threw the crumpled papers like its’ nothing important.

—“The Emperor sent it,” his brother-in-law explained, then bowed his head.

—“Yes! said Herod. —“The Emperor made me rise and soar from this Throne. He pushed me to ascend to this level where I am sitting right now while sending him tons of gold for payment for this position. This is why I am the King of Juda, and I am the only one that can judge and can give justice to this land that I occupy and dominate; this land is truly mine. I performed and ordered many killings, brutal acts, and executions because I have enough reasons, but I am going to Rome; it is my obligation to defend myself.”

—“Am I afraid before my rebellious children? NO! If Augusto would not give me any significance and a chance to my reasoning, and he favored them, with no regards and no respect, we will argue, and god will take charge to judge.”

One slave from Ethiopia that looks like a drop of tint is heroically dressed-up, suddenly appeared after parting the room’s curtain that cover the door.

—“What do you want Cingo?” Herod asked him. —“Does my beloved slave need something from his Lord?”

—“Verutidio, a freed slave from Rome, the Army General from the foreign country hope to talk to you right away.” the negro replied.

—“Verutidio is my only friend, but I am sick, and I don’t want anything, did you hear me? I need to rest and to remain alone.” said Herod.

—“That’s what I said my Lord.” Cingo explained. —“But he insists on getting in, and he truly needs to tell you something very important.

—“Go on, let him in. That unpleasant worshipping goddess of Cybele (goddess of primal nature), and not at any time offered anything to god Cybele, not even one dove at Purity’s Shrine and not even a compassion to his sick King.” Herod uttered these words like a jest, and the slave understood and went to let know his Lord’s response.

After a few seconds, the Roman General went in into the Jewish King’s room; Herod straightened-up his hand towards Verutidio, and Verutidio kissed his hand not for respect but for showmanship, because that is a one unavoidable ritual. Verutidio’s actions are truly respectable, a proud face and a superb scarf tightened by a gold flower with diamonds around it sewed at the top of his shoulder. With no regards, Verutidio pulled a soft pillow and placed it beside the King’s bed rest; after he sat down, Verutidio then gave respect by saying these words:

—“Marte for war, Apollo is for peace, may they protect the friends and allies of my Lord Caesar.” Verutidio said.

—“May he hear you.” said Herod, and he continued to talk.

—“What is the important news that brought you here to my room?” Herod asked.

—“King of Jerusalem,” replied the General. —“Get up and leave your bed, forget your afflictions, because in your City came the “Three Magi Kings,” followed by one dignified escort, and guided by a one Star, saying that they came here looking for Juda’s King, a Messiah, announced by the Prophets, recently arrived into this world.”

Herod suddenly, shuddered and turned pale; then he slides from his bed; he got up and walked to Verutidio’s side and stand beside him. In an instant, Salome and Alejo came to support Herod, the weak King, but Herod ignored and thrust them aside. From under his pillow, he took his walking stick, a silver cane, and hit a steel iron; this created a vibrating sound, the ringing sounds that reached the Palace’s farthest corners.

Came rushing and like a supernatural occurrence, Cingo appeared, followed by a pack of slaves in the King’s room. Cingo, Herod’s beloved slave, is genuinely from Africa, black like a crow’s wings and strong like the athlete’s weightlifters.

As a child of this Lord with pool of treasures, there is no other God, no more law, and no love but his Lord Herod. The King’s love for Jerusalem and to Cingo is more than a devotion to his own self. Cingo is like his one strong arm. Herod’s enemies tried to bribe and pay this fierce African’s sincere loyalty, but these enemies only bought their death because Cingo cannot be convinced to betray his Lord and be a traitor. This fiery African that sleeps at the foot of his Lord’s bed and his hands are often holding his sword’s handle, ready to strike anyone who gets their way to his Lord’s and his ears are often alerted like a faithful fido.

When Herod saw Cingo appeared at the door of his room, he smiled. He knows that no one can get near him without passing through Cingo’s dead body. Herod waved and made gestures to Cingo to wait; the slave then bowed down his head to obey the order.

—“Where are those Kings you are talking about?” Herod asked Verutidio.

—“They’d pitched their tents beside the rubbles, near the Palace’s ruined doors of David.” the General replied.

—“Cingo light up those lamps sticky wicks.” Herod commanded. —“Gather all my Herodians and bring all these foreigners here.”

Cingo left right away, followed by some slaves.

—“And you Alejo,” Herod said to his brother-in-law. —“Assemble all the high priests and the City leaders, those intelligence that knows the Hebrew prophecies and bring them all in this room.”

Alejo obeyed without a word.

—“And you, brave Verutidio, put all your armies together and spread them at my Palace’s front yard. And you my beloved sister Salome, can you make it happen to refer to all the Doctors of this City about the cure and fast recovery of your pitiful brother?” Herod plead.

Everyone went to obey the command of Jerusalem’s King. Herod was left alone, and after a few seconds, were like a stump, standing still, his eyes are like hypnotized, transfixed to a carpet in his room, then he sighs and slumps his body to sit on his messy bed, whispering these words:

—“What is this newborn King?”

—“Oh!…………….He will be sorry and miserable once he fell into my hands!”

Then he stretched his arms and placed them on a Crown rested at the marble’s tabletop and continued to talk:

—“This Crown is mine! Enough to desire and pay the price of his head. He is pitiful to behold and look at this with wanting, because if he tries to take this from my forehead for a grab!”…………….!!

HEROD THE GREAT

From the writer: This is a meager warning for my readers. This episode is intended for mature readers only, some strong words are used and some contents are a little harsh and may not be appropriate for some. But for those who understand history, they may find this informative. Some information in this story may not be suitable to our present time, proceed at your own risk.

Please be advised that this story is historically factual and the events portrayed is very revealing. The purpose of this is to broaden our knowledge and may not be repeated again. This story is for Herod and Herod alone. Viewer discretion is advised.

LET’S START:

In history, Herod was called “THE GREAT,” but no one expect that an executioner from Bethlehem would carry an honourable name.

On the year 3932 and at the 68th year before the coming of Jesus Christ, was born the wicked Herod, the horrible and identical image of the savage Athaliah. The real Herod’s hometown is Escalon City, in the ocean’s side through the territory of Turkey Asiatic, in Palestine. Black like his soul, cold as a wicked, tempestuous like his monstrousness nesting from his heart……..that night was the birth of the future scourge of Galilee and the shame of his descendants.

A powerful storm was the first one to welcome Herod’s emergence in this world, the strong force of his breathe from his nostrils shook the big buildings structures. The roaring sea’s boisterous waves are like stirring in the midst of water by a group of hordes from hell. The tallest cedar trees and the humungous fig trees rapidly shook from the outbursts amid the raging wind not far from Escalon. The water plunged to the riverbank, and overflowed the meadows through the cities, with its’ raging waters that causes poverty to the inhabitants of these wretched villages.

The whole world lamented woefully for welcoming their merciless future King. Herod is like a flood overflowed, and like a whirlwind, he swiftly took everything with him and everyone that gets on his way; like a flash of lightning that burns upon whom he strikes, and like a pests that kill all of whom he breathes. A slave of his wanting, arrogant and irritable, he finally reached the age of adulthood, twenty-five (25) years of age, where he continued to trail the lustful and sinful path.

His father Antipater, served Caesar faithfully and defeated Pompey the Roman Lord when he attacked Alexandria. Antipater asked Caesar the Rome’s dictator, to grant his son Herod to reign as the King of Galilee. Herod was just twenty-four (24) years of age when he took the first step, the level that took him to climb-up the ladder of success to Jerusalem’s Throne.

Herod is bold and greedy. Nothing can stop him. He desired and aspired a crown in any ways, even to a point of committing crimes; lewdness and treachery did not deter his course. To take place and the desires to make it happen despite of not holding back and perhaps even to force himself to rid over his father’s dead body, his brothers and sisters, and his relatives. For a simple crown, a just lone crown that he greedily desired, to invalidate all the obstacles that prevented him and to obtain and proudly continue to proceed to his dream.

But his fate turned humiliating for him when he got defeated by his enemy Antigonus, King of Juda. He was forced to flee and hide in one of Idumea’s castle with his whole family along with his great treasures.

Herod is like drowning from that end of Arabia Patraea. One afternoon, as he stood from one of those high towers’ strong fortresses, with his arms folded across his chest and with his squinted eyes, he watched with his fierce gaze and blood thirsty heart the sandy desolated rocky mountain. Suddenly, he perceived from the bottom of his heart a deep sigh and followed by the resounding voice, these words:

—“Idumea! Idumea! The animals’ dwelling place of the “Jackals, the Wolves town,” you’re simply a bone structure to me, a skeleton, nothing to offer to my hungry throat but strictly bones for me to tear off and chewed. What I need is the flesh attached to the bone to quench the terrible hunger that kills me. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You are the food I am craving from the feasts I am dreaming. I will be your King, and you are my slave; at the top of your fortresses, my flag scarlet and gold, will proudly wave in the breeze of your wind. Your children will kiss the very dust that will afloat from the hem of my Royal Robe, and your maidens will sing for me at the Zion’s altar to praise their god, King Herod.”

At last! The long awaited time is over, and from that one night, this Idumean prisoner left his fortress, a great and dangerous intent to escape, but this did not stop him from fleeing, he left and went to Egypt. There, he met Queen Cleopatra to encourage and convinced her of his desired ambition of becoming the King of Judea. Herod calculated and fully trusted his guts that from the Queens’ help from Egypt, truly famous for her beauty and wickedness, his hope will be obtained. A portrayal of these two is like a black Panther’s character, not far from the Tiger’s reputation, and like the Hyenas have the manner to show-up hastily from the Jackal’s one cry.

After Herod’s met with Cleopatra, she turned him over to Mark Anthony, and the two went immediately to the proud City of Rome. At that time, the Senate had a grudge against Antigonus, for he asked help from the Parthos people, Rome’s sworn enemy, but he still sided with the greedy Idumeans, and he happened to arrive at the Capitol to honestly asked for help.

The wind of fortune is slowly blowing to Herod’s side and conforming him. His golden dreams governed Bethlehem’s executioner. Anthony fought against Herod’s greedy desire, but because of this woman’s request and self-gratification, will not be long before she lay beside him in the grave, Anthony granted Herod, Cleopatra’s favored, the crown from Jerusalem’s taxpayer.

Herod received his crown, and he immediately put himself as the first Capitol’s slave. From then on, Caesar of Rome was his god.

But is this worth for Herod? For he got the Throne, and the green Laurel to crown his head is a symbol of a martial victory, made by the Senate’s patronage for Herod, crowning a successful King during his triumph.

Getting impatient and not wanting for anything but the day to come for his enthronement, he quickly assembled troops for himself; he gathered soldiers for hire from Tiber City and pay them out at his own expense, from out of his own pocket. After taking an oath to all of Anthony’s rules and regulations, he then gave the leading position to Verutidio, Caesar’s favorite.

After the preparation and ruled by his craving for revenge, Herod left right away with his soldiers to Roman’s Court and went to Jerusalem in a hurry to claim his Throne.

Antigonus was criticized for Herod’s preparation for taking over and condoned by Caesar, but Herod still continued then and prepared his people to truly punish his daring enemies from their highest Holy City’s fortresses, that will be cursed by the Calvary’s Martyr by any means in the near time.

Then Herod, full of courage attacked in rage and fury, those fortresses made of rocks and metal iron that hinders him from his greed.

Blood flowed like flood. Joseph, brother of the aggressor (Herod) was killed from the battle, and at last, Cleopatra’s servant, Capitol’s patronizer and Caesar’s slave, successfully entered Jerusalem and the Romans Eagle was placed at the top of Zerrubabbel’s Temple, a sign of the triumphant battle taking over for the Throne.

Thousands and thousands of the inhabitants were killed from this bloody battle, and from the weapons of Herod’s minions, no one survived from his fury, but worse if there’s more properties and things to seize.

Rome is asking for gold, and Herod is Rome’s slave.

Herod wanted the crown to remain on his forehead, and for this reason, he separated his wife and married Mariamne II, grand daughter of John Hyrcanus, King of Judea, still imprisoned in Rome, because after his defeat, Pompey brought him there.

Herod’s hands are still soaked in blood for the horrific beheading performed, but he went immediately to the Temple to marry a beautiful and a very young Princess.

Because of their lord’s new and strict command, people from Jerusalem wiped their tears, the tears that make their eyes red, and they were forced to sing and dance on fiesta real, created by the cruel King. A sorrowful face seen and observed from that feast, would be enough to sentence the person to death. One tear shed and it will be followed by the head to shed (beheaded). Herod is wise and a cheat, but a wimp, and for this, he granted his brother-in-law the highest position, Aristobulus III, to be the Head Priest even at a young age, to secure himself against danger.

This young man, genuinely loved by the Israelites, the unfortunate son of the King imprisoned in Rome, a King that was about to be crowned, but it was grabbed from him by his sister’s husband.

Slowly the townspeople showed their love to young Aristobulo III, and Herod saw all these. He was envious to this kind of love; a love that can’t be freely given to him; a love that cannot be demanded; not even an affection just for the liking. And for this, he ordered to drown his brother-in-law, Aristobulo III, from one of Jericho’s bathing pool. And he pretended to be sorrowful for his death; for him to look clean and innocent from the Pharisees’ eyes and those with high positions in Jerusalem.

With this opportunity, the Roman Senate is blind to all the injustices but more appreciative of the gifts sent by the criminal Herod, than to give justices to those innocents murdered without doing any crime.

Never on earth that a King shed so much blood from innocent people, unlike Herod the Idumean, where in history was given the name, “Great.” He became powerful but he lack of the required love and the good attitude to make a King honourable and famous.

Savage and bloodthirsty, he delights the lamentation and mourning of the people he had executed. He ordered Hyrcanus his death, even in his old age, his wife’s grandfather, this old man who saved his life when he was the Galilee’s Governor. At his very old age, and maybe had a few more days to live, Hyrcanus did not stop this traitors’ hand to have him killed. This pitiful old man was accused by Herod’s executioner (he say) of receiving gifts sent by the Arab’s King, but Hyrcanus was innocent.

The most beautiful Princess at that time, his wife Mariamne, very intelligent, died of wounds ordered by her husband, Herod. Not long after that, Alejandra was murdered too, the mother of the damned Mariamne. In fear of his son from Mariamne, Felipo, that he might take revenge for his mother’s death, Herod had him executed too. The cries of bloodshed, screaming for justice and revenge, the cries of those small voices coming out from the bottom of his heart, did not break him.

The entire town became enraged and displeased when they saw this King’s vicious crimes and the unending blood flowing like water. The unstoppable shedding of blood by this brutal, afflicting murderer, started to worry the entire town. Like fields of grasses beaten by the strong wind on both sides, they don’t know where to turn for help, for he is a powerful King.

Herod beheads those who are always favored by Rome, and those who hinder his ways and disobey his rules for power. The Laurel Crown that defiles his forehead filled with cries of crimes was bought from the Capitol from the wealthy and poor’s money.

Herod’s entire life is like a long necklace with long list of bloody murders. From his restless sleep is like seeing this thick terrifying shadow, unnerving and similar to those hordes from hell, running around his mind that embittered his bloody existence.

Herod does not have enough troops to fight the rising rebellion of his town. A few soldiers that carry spears; some Gentlemen from his Palace and the descendants of the Subservience, some Handicaps, a few Herodians who received handful of money from their lord Herod, the lord who wanted to be on the pedestal of the Zion’s altar and worship him like a god.

The wealthy and the audacious Pharisees, who refused to swear to follow him. The brave Essenes complied and sided with the Pharisees. The aggressive Bachelors, urged by their terrible hatred, the brave Disciples of the Moses Law that unite against him, for in the midst of day, they despised death. They had nothing to think of but their desired time to take the revenge from the sweet moment of their freedom.

They see Herod as an executioner from the foreign land, a brutal enemy and so they delight to kill him. The life of the merciless King from Juda is restless. The threat of a deadly sword for him, is in every corner.

One day, fake news of his death spreads. and so the entire town builds a massive fire for a big celebration. Herod heard this, and he was furious; all those who created the huge fire were killed, and the blood were squeezed from out of their corpses and used to extinguish the fire. At the time of this terrible hatred was the arrival of the Three Magi Kings; they were looking for the newly born child, the King of Juda; the Messiah prophesied by the Prophets, the “Israel’s Redeemer.”

THE PILGRIMS

Jesus birth is a big roar to the impious (uncircumcised) gods and goddesses. God is the only one that can gain noble success. He is the only one who has the power to pull out the venom from the human heart that the wickedness had made him deceived.

The famous and intelligent poet “Milton,” an English man, the greatest historian of the Eastern customs and admired by the experts from foreign countries, being faithful to his motherland, had humbled himself to bind and oblige a request. From one of his first poets, he described the wrong beliefs of the heretics at the time, this is before the “Redeemer” and not been born yet. Let us quote some passages from his poems as evidence and justification of an argument that contained this:

—“The gods and goddesses turned out to be dumbed while the antagonist bombarded them with an outpouring argument; unable to speak a single word, and their whispers disappeared, an altogether lies under the Temple’s roof.”

—“Apollo shouts and cried out for “Suicide” when he left Delphi Mountain because he is unable to predict the future anymore.”

—“None is in a trance anymore during the midnight, vanished into thin air, those secret whispers coming out from the cave of mystic divination that takes hold of this shocked eyed priest, a power of spell to make him sensed this.”

—“At the pinnacle of those deserted mountains, and along the seashores noisy water, can be heard crying and lamentation.”

—“Knowledge was forced to leave the meadows where they dwell amid those pale poplar trees.”

—“The Nymphs were stripped naked of the flowers that decorated their bodies and they are crying under those dense woods.”

—“The Lares (gods of households); and the Larvae (dark human souls), at night — where their moaning can be heard from those honorable lands and at the top of those respectable houses.”

—“The Urns and Shrines can hear the sorrowful distressing sounds, where the Flamids (women priests) are very busy from their works, the cold marble floors are like covered with ample sweats while the gods and goddesses are leaving the houses where they used to live.”

—“Peor and Baal escaped their dark black temple with the god who was cast out from Palestine.”

—“Ashtaroth, who was named Luna or Moon, the Queen, the Mother in heaven was not sparkling like before where the holy candles encircled her.”

—“Hammon hides his horns, the god from Libya; and Tyre’s children are crying because their god fell to the ground and is wounded.”

—“The pitiful and abandoned Moloch escaped and left his framed picture in the dark place where it turned out and became a black coal. Nothing was achieved from their noisy music and dancing calling their bloodthirsty king beside the burning furnace.”

—“The goddesses of the Nile from the foolish descendants are too quick to run off, and Anubis’s dog went and followed Isis and Osiris.”

From unto here, is what Milton had said. Let’s continue:

At last, after thirteen days of their journey by walking, the Magi Kings had catched the sight of the towers, the Minaret towers from the distance, the beautiful towers and the strong ramparts of Jerusalem. Not too far from the road where they walk can be heard gushing water from a clear springs, the reason for the foreign voyagers to stop (this spring still exists and known for its’ name: “de los Reyes” Well). The group leader Gaspar, then call for a short rest on their journey, and the Camels obeyed at the command and knelt to the ground to disembark the Kings.

The four African slaves spread some valuable and expensive carpets, in deep red color, embroidered with gold to cover the top of those cold grasses. The Magi Kings sat down on the mats and were given small woven baskets with Aratilis, (Jamaican cherries) and delicious Apricots, an excellent traditional breakfast from the East. The caretakers fed the tired animals, their Camels with dried Lima Beans. Everything was serene and quiet when suddenly, Gaspar’s wide eyes looked up in the sky, abruptly stood up, pointing the sky and cried out!

—“The Star! The Star is gone!”

Melchor and Balthazar both were also stunned, and their eyes are as wide as Gaspar’s. They both immediately got up and the fruit they were about to bite slipped from their hands unknowingly. The Star was lost from their sight, and it seemed behind amid those floating clouds, hanging across this town that pay taxes.

The heartbroken Kings saw the disappearance of their mysterious gleaming guide. They were like restless and disturbed, a troubled sea where a piece of a wooden board, their only hope to hold on, lost their grips, slipped from their hands, their only lifesaver. They all scream and then sighed.

Then one of the brethren broke his silence and pointed out to where Jerusalem and said to everyone:

—“Let’s continue this momentous journey. We lost sight of the Star, but there’s no need to worry for we are facing the big City and with no doubt is the birthplace of the Jew’s King. Let’s go to Jerusalem.”

—“Yes, Yes! Let’s continue our journey; the mysterious Stat that brought us here from Tigris to Jordan cannot leave us just like that without a big reason.” said Balthazar.

—“Also,” Gaspar replied, —“who in this busy town know where the Messiah was born? We ask the first one we encounter, and it will immediately and unwittingly accompany us to the foot of his birthplace, the King we are looking.”

As soon as the Magi Kings agreed upon the call of the situation, they again go on and rode their ready Camels, and after a few more seconds, they enter Jerusalem through Judiciary Gate.

But, Oh! The entire town was quiet, and there’s no noisy crowds of celebrations that they are expecting to see. The streets are empty, and there’s no one can be seen walking; no roses scattered on the roads, nor myrtle and laurels on the lanes they are walking. The delightful music can’t be heard from the Hebrew’s Harps; Zion’s maidens are not offering their lovely songs to Almighty God. Myrrh and Incense cannot be dispersed from all around the Shrine’s Temple. Oils from their lampstands cannot burn flames; gold lamps do not give light to the servant’s valuable clothes that cater their sacrifices.

At that time, Jerusalem appeared to look dumb; the silence is deafening. No one is around the streets to receive the Pilgrims from the East. Some curious women wrapped in thin scarves, look out their windows to watch the newcomers passing by.

The Three Kings continued to walk, but they are sad and seemed weak, tired and no vitality. From their heart, their warm hope are slowly diminishing and getting cold. But not long after, and in no time, they were surrounded by the inhabitants of that town. And so Gaspar, the leader, moved himself to the strong neck of his Camel and asked the person in front of him.

—“You are from this town; you should know where the Messiah is, promised by the Prophets, King of the Jews, the newly born child?”

The townspeople looked at each other, for they have no answer, and they all shrug their shoulders.

Balthazar once again asked the person near him:

—“Where is the Messiah, the King of the Jews?”

—“There is no other King in Jerusalem but the Great Herod our lord.” replied a Knight.

—“We saw one Star in Heaven,” Gaspar continued, —“and the Star is still not known, and as far as we are concerned, that Star is what Balaam prophesied.”

—“For us Israelites, Jacob’s Star has not been born yet.” responded one of the Pharisees.

—“They are probably crazy.” whispered a Roman soldier and gave them a hostile look.

—“We should let King Herod know this.” answered one of the Scribes.

—“Yes! Oh Yes! We should let him know.” countered the Herodians, huddled in the crowd.

The Kings saw that nothing will happen from their asking, for no one can direct them where the Messiah lived. They decided to continue and moved on, then they turn to a broad, wide road going to David’s old Palace. They arrived into its’ old Palace and went into an expansive a torn down courtyard, tired from their long journey, they all rested. But somewhere in the past, there was a time that this Palace was a pleasant house of an intelligent, powerful King. But when Christ was born, this Palace came to just a pile of rocks crashed to the ground.

The Three Magi Kings know from Hebrew’s history, prophesied by the Prophets, that from David’s branch, she will bear a Messiah to save Israel. And if that Star disappeared, the guide that they patiently followed from where they live, then they still have one more hope.

Not far from under those doors of King David — they said — can be found the promised Messiah; it is maybe inside those torn down fortresses, that once upon a time from the past was an essential part of beautification, the tragic resonance of a singer’s King’s Harps. His praises to God and defeated Goliath, we might discover one thing that can point us to where the Messiah is.

And when they get into that said place, they had their tent pitched and the Three went in and confined themselves inside, meticulously planning many a time the right thing to do.

JERUSALEM

Before we enter to this place, the “HOLY CITY,” let us first look at its’ history from once upon a time. This episode should be a sign for us to learn from its’ history and leads us the way from it’s entire long and great story.

The Hebrew town should establish a “Just” City, strong and be the Capital to raise the Throne of their gods and goddesses, and to shelter those from Egypt with no assurance of the promised land.

Adonis is one of the five Kings defeated by Joshua and his brethren, the Jebusites. Their fortresses has a very strong foundation, secured and well built in Mount Zion. The fortresses that is not easy to penetrate and invade, is toying and provoking David’s forces.

—“The lame and the blind,” shouts Adonis, —“are the one’s I’ll send you, enough to conquer and defeat you.”

According to its’ customs at that time, “David King of War,” God’s chosen, ignored and renounced Adonis’s arrogance. So David attacked those well built fortresses of Adonis and killed all his adherents. And the troops that won, occupied and inhabit Mount Zion, Arca and Moriah.

That night after winning the battle, this poetic King is viewing this mountain top while his troops are resting. The moon is illuminating, its’ silver rays are shining through the joyous celebration of success. David hold’s his harp and offers his songs of success in battle to Almighty God. The pleasant resonance of his harp and the King’s soft voice is very calm, it slowly fades away carried by the wind through the flowery Mount of Gilboa, all the way through the fissures of rocks where they dumped corpses. The sweetest resounding voice of that song reached unto now. Here is what it says:

—“The Kings of the land are united to revolt against us; they secretly conspire for this: “come here and let’s wipe them out!” They can’t be one country, and the name Israel will be no more from the face of the earth.”

—“But God’s Almighty power gave me strong arms for battle; I persecuted all my enemies and never retreated until I succeed in conquering them; they all fell under my feet; I threw them roundabout like dusts in the air; I made the unknown town and cities to surrender; they humbled themselves to my honorable name; and my enemies were shaken and hide in the mountains where they dwell.”

David put down his harp and took delight in viewing the pleasant scenery laid on his feet. His eyes are nailed to that three contiguous ridge of mountains, with its’ wide rivers in-betweens, and all those made by words which set bounds, to the turbulent water from the sea. When he saw the peaceful valley and Jehoshaphat’s wide terrain, the red water from the East were flowing under Cedron, and the south side is Gehenna’s cliff that’s cut-off, and to the west side is the mountain of corpses……………He shouts aloud!

—“Jerousch a’ Aim!” which means, “House of Peace!”

—“You are going to be strong, City of Israel; I’ll make you grow, expand and enriched until all the countries envy you! In the north side where it is weak, in you, I will build three layers of stronghold military fortresses for your forces, and to destroy and crash your enemies’ greed!”

David is the King of Battle, who built Jerusalem; Solomon is the King of Peace, the one who expands and made it big. The young man son of David, was crowned in the year 2970 from the year the earth was created. Mount Gibeah, watched and observed its’ shining glossy fluid running down the valley, the blood of a thousand animals, an offering to Almighty God, at Moses bronze’s shrine in the front side.

God appeared to Solomon’s dream, saying this:

—“Ask what you want my Love!”

Solomon asked for wisdom, and God granted it to him. Aside from this, God gave him beauty, wealth and honor. From all these, Solomon beat and surmounted the four children of Mohol, the world’s first poet from Levi’s descendants. Here’s why:

Solomon made three thousand (3000) proverbs, five thousand (5000) songs, and a thick book about plants and animals; the cedar woods that grow and spread their sweet fragrances from Mount Lebanon; through the tiniest plants that grow in between the rocks; from these Eagle birds that dares the sun through its’ proud gaze; through the tiniest fishes that hides under the small rocks in the deep sea. Most of these books had vanished and lost through thousands of years that had passed by. But the Psalms remained and left for us; where the poetic rhymes are more than the sweet fragrances of its’ lyrics that grow in Gilboa; from its’ debonair and elegant words that surmount the roses from Saaron; and from its’ glitters that beaten the real diamonds of Golconda.

These alone can give honor and nobility to its’ composition. Solomon had achieved the wealthiest, the happiest, and the grandest achievements worldwide, but he lacks people with enough ability to operate things that his father thought; to build the Temple, for offerings to Almighty God at the top of Mount Moriah.

Hiram, King of Tyre in Sidon sent him bronze molders, architects, and artists that Solomon does not have. Ten thousand people began to build the Temple at the top Mount of Lebanon, using cedar woods with their sweet fragrances, and after seven years had passed, the Temple was built. From the City of Ephesus, Jonio’s two hundred twenty (220) people were needed for finishing Diana’s Temple. God fulfilled his promises to Solomon because of his marvelous artwork, a true miracle of creation.

The Poet King, Solomon’s popularity spreads all over the world. Solomon’s sailing ships navigate and sailed the oceans to bring in to his beloved City the biggest and the most valuable, and astonishing things of the world.

The Queen of Sheba, the most beautiful Nicaulis, was charmed by Solomon’s popularity, and insist on meeting him, persistent to dazzle him with her wealth. The Queen from the south arrived in Holy Land, followed by her shimmering and gleaming troops. The Queen’s grand entrance made everyone in a trance of her amazing glitters that surmounts the whole Palace. As her toe touched the steps of Solomon’s Palace, she then immediately raised and lifted up her dress fully covered of valuable jewels, in fear that her tiny feet covered with diamonds and sapphires would get wet with water.

Solomon smiled when he saw the Queen’s big fearful eyes because the water that the Queen thought is not a real water but a burnished crystal. So, Nicaulis, after regaining her graceful poise, talked right away:

—“Fortunate are those under your great wisdom. Oh Noble King! Fortunate are those that serve you!”

Nicaulis left Jerusalem with plenty of gifts. The Queen who tried to dazzle Solomon went home bedazzled by whom she visits.

Solomon’s Kingship reigned for forty (40) years during its’ absolute peace. David’s magnificent Kingdom, is a father like Kingdom for him, but it was stained with his lustful sin of adultery. Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, whom David had murdered for self-shame, is guilty of this crime through vulgarity of his lewdness!

The wealthy and prosperous Kingdom of Solomon were tainted too, for something bad that aroused his interest, and inclined to his lustful immorality. He was deceived to lie, and cheat to his own faith and continued to linger on, with no intention to end this wrongful deed.

Solomon’s wealth, and beauty, charmed many young beautiful maidens. From all over the world, these young women came to Jerusalem to see him. Solomon is a very affectionate person; he is very loving and admired by most women. Solomon’s display of affection is how the women behave, and gave back their love and affections to him, where he was taken advantage to and forced him to worship their wicked and false gods and goddesses. These Samaritan women forced him to kneel in front of a golden cow, but Almighty God immediately reminded him of the evil deed they had done. So, God said to Solomon that his Kingdom would come to an end, and would fall into the hand of a just one slave. From then on, the Hebrew town starts to split, divided in to two; the first part is Juda, who continued to ensue Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. But the entire Israel voted Jeroboam for their King.

This entire town chosen by God started to fall. From Rehoboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Ahab, all became Israel’s Kings, but like a featherweight object, their Kingship was easily blown away by a great storm, like transiting. The only time that the Hebrew town obtained an absolute peace was when Jehoshaphat reigned in as their King. Not long after this, the cruel and vicious woman, Athaliah, came to rule this tribes, she is like a wild, and brutal torturer from heaven. Nothing happened when Elijah, “God’s Lightning,” forced and insist to keep this town from dissipation, and be scattered all over. His words and the performed miracles he did were not considered nor even recognized. Like a fast running water that succumbed and overflow the shores, Abraham’s great-grandchildren are indeed on their way to the cliff of their death.

The Prophets that sprouts like mushrooms, after Elijah were: Jonah, Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah. The coming “Savior” was a great warning, but they covered their ears not to hear this vital prophecy. The brave and God fearing King, Hezekiah is the one to raise and erect Juda’s flag against the Assyrians, because the Heaven’s Angels helped their armies. After this, God turned His merciful eyes again to His chosen town like in David’s time. Hachamoni, Semma, Jashobeam, and Fesdomoni were in remembrance once again, and hope is back to life.

But when Hezekiah was killed by his two sons, the rascal and perverse Manasseh took his father’s Throne to reign as a King. Manasseh, the coward, and the wicked murderer, would ran whenever he is in front of the Assyrians, and he would hide behind the Zarza trees because of his guilt, for the crime he committed, but was eventually caught and arrested. Not long after his arrest, he was transmitted to Babylon like a slave. Amon replaced him and like Manasseh, he was wicked and evil too.

After twenty years, Nebuchadnezzar and his armies attacked Israel, and they badly injured these twelve tribes and its’ clans. This time Israel became true slaves of that cruel Babylon. Nebuzaradan, one of King Nebuchadnezzar’s army leader, was set on fire, burned at King’s command. Zion’s Temple and the King’s Palace is at the four hundred twenty-four (424) years, three months, and eight days from when it was built by the King who composed the “Book of Songs,” or the “Songs of Solomon.” He wrote this one Saturday and Saturday too when the Romans planned to destroy the said Temple, and we will understand this at the end of the story:

Nebuchadnezzar took the Israelites as his captives and even stole their sacred glasses from Zion’s Temple. But Almighty God punished him for his cruelty, and blew-off the light of his mind; after that the sanity of this savage Babylonian became like a wild beast animal and he lived a brutal life for seven years more. Seventy years had passed from these tormented people of Israel; the only comfort from these sufferings brethren was the Prophet David. From Juda’s trees were the young maidens harps tied-up, for no one is singing because God cannot be taken for granted.

Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last King of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. One night the coward Belshazzar held a party for his friends and comrades. They held the feast at the top floor. The sacred glasses they stole from Zion’s Temple were in use for the celebration; the impure lips of these impure women that worship Belo’s God and their enslaved Governors with their King Belshazzar were really going to degrade and mire those sacred glasses, they were at an act of toasting, when one miraculous hand appeared in front of everybody, the hand wrote on the wall and in solid fire, wrote these words: —“Mane, Thecel, Phares.”

Big fear and confusion came rushing through these dirty gentlemen. Then in a sudden, the light went off, and the sound of a roaring thunder blasted the heaven’s realm, and the ground trembled violently. King Belshazzar lost his confidence and shaken by this severe destruction; he immediately called his friend the Prophet Daniel and asked him the meaning of this miraculous event. This is what the Prophet Daniel told him: —“This is the last night of your life.”

Unknown to them and suddenly, an unexpected guests crashed their party. Cyrus and Darius and their combined forces, beheaded and decapitated all the Babylonians that night.

Cyrus is good and merciful to the Jewish people, he liberated and freed them and even gave them the permission to rebuild their ancestors destroyed Temple. Zerubbabel leads his people to the Holy City. The following year, the new Temple was once again placed where it was built for the God of gods. The Jewish people lived for two hundred years as Persian’s slaves.

One night, the sounds of war blasted and heard from Jerusalem, and stunned this entire town’s peace. Alejandro Magno (Alexander the Great), son of Filipo II, King of Macedonia, the noble and world’s destroyer, is near his fortress. His victorious flag spreads out and ready to attack and destroy Jerusalem, just like when he attacked and destroyed Athens. The name “Jerusalem” is noted in a wood board, a sign and a marked name for Macedonia’s aggressors; the wooden board is exposed to Tyre and Sidon, because this is where they write too.

Jaddus from Jerusalem, saw how the Macedonian’s attacked Gaza. He saw the fiery fires burning Gaza’s town and heard the Trumpet’s grim sound blasting from Macedonia. Fearful of this scene, he immediately ran to the Temple and asked help from Almighty God, and God responded to him like this:

—“Meet Alejandro, welcome him, shower him with flowers and Palm leaves where he passes. Open the Holy City gates for him, and do not be afraid of whatever.”

Jaddus obeyed God’s command. When Alejandro saw the Holy City gates opened for him, the lead aggressor (Alejandro) immediately hides his frightening sword in his clothes. When he saw the entire town were on their knees, he knelt too at the foot of this tall priest, Jaddus. Permenion (Macedonian General), saw Alejandro knelt at the foot of this priest; he belittled him and insulted him by asking like this: —“Is this the priest you visit here in the Aunnor’s Oasis?”

—“Listen!” replied Alejandro, —“when I was in Macedonia, I was planning and thinking of how I am going to overpower and subjugate the whole of Asia, but God appeared to me in a dream. His clothing is just like that of the old man; on his forehead is a sparkling crown, and he can be distinguished as a God. “Don’t be afraid,” he told me: “Go track the Hellespont narrow passage, follow them with all your might; I will lead your troops, I will make you God of the Persian’s Empire.”

One hundred sixty years had gone by after Alejandro’s reign, and all those countries he defeated at one time were all divided now. Antiochus from Elecindas clans tried to destroy Abraham’s town, but he did not succeed. And now the new life and vivacity of Abraham’s town had emerged with improved and expanded City and finally Israel had obtained honors.

The brave children of old Mattathias believed to be rumored to surmount and overcame David’s most valiant emissaries. From these five children of Matatthias, one is missing, “the Poet Homer,” who sang the honorable courage they did, more daring than the noble Achilles work. They paraded their victorious flag to the twelve tribes with these four letters: M.C.B.I. and the historian believed and presumed that this is where they get their name “Maccabbees.”

Here are the names of the five Heroes kept and protected from their history: John (Gaddi), Simon (Thassi), Judas (Maccabeus), Eleazar (Avaran), Jonathan (Apphus). To relate and tell the account of these five martyrs, their noble heroism for liberating, in freedom of the Hebrew people. And from them is their father Mattathias, one hundred forty years of age in need to write a book of this story of heroism with one thousand pages. But in the end, these five martyrs were killed, succumbed by their enemies sent by Demetrius, King of Macedonia after his recent defeat from another battle.

Judas Maccabeus, sent his envoys to Rome asking for help for this noble town Israel, that at the time were starting to become great, and achieving their well-renowned name in the eyes of the entire world. But at the return of his envoys, Judas died amid his courageous delegates. This Judas who destroyed and exterminate unto the last soldier of the thick and brave armies of Demetrius; for this, Demetrius is the one to order from nailing Nicanor’s head and hands in view of the entire Jerusalem. Nicanor, son of an old Palestinian, is courageous and honorable, a renowned hero died.

From then on, Romans gradual interfering and slow meddling to Israel is the predetermined course of events, their fate, and Jew’s paying taxes to Roman’s Capitol were put into effect.

Pompey, the Roman General, attacked the Holy City and conquered them. He appointed Hyrcanus, his servant as King of Israel’s Kingdom, but he forbade him to wear a crown. Jacob’s prophecies are now gradually being fulfilled; the coming Savior would not be long anymore, and Juda’s scepter is now passed around into foreign land’s hands.

An Edomite is now sitting at David’s and Solomon’s Throne after a few years more. But at the time of Herod, Jerusalem still has its’ own charm. The Nehemian’s fortresses were all surrounded by a sturdy stone wall. It’s thirteen towers and twelve tough gates are indestructible; their enemies will have a hard time to destroy and invade their territory.

At the front side from the East, tracking Joshaphat’s valley and the visible Mount Olive, are four gates; Fiemo (dung); the Valley; the Golden; and “of the waters.”…………….The first one is on the Spring side they call, “Dragon.”……….The second is going to Gethsemani town…………..The third is going to Ein Geddi and Dead Sea……….The fourth is going to Jordan and Jericho.

At the front side, front of the fortress are two gates: The one is going to Mount Ergo……….The second is going to Bethlehem and Hebron.

From the Mountain where they dumped corpses, in the southern side are the gates call “of the Fish,” “Judiciary,” and “Genath.” ………exiting from the first gate is a distance of fifty feet to Bethlehem, Hebron, Gaza, Egypt, Emmaus, Joppa or to the Sea………..the second gate is going to Silo and Gabaon, turning right, then left is the grave of “Pontiff Ananias,” and across is “Mount Calvary”……….the third gate is Herod’s Palace’s Reception Hall, but it is always closed. At the other side of that closed gorgeous door is the Edomite King’s unique garden, his thickening Pines, Palms, and Sycamore; the special custom-built Deep Well; and big Swimming Pools; the extravagant and flashy lagoons, where large numbers of Swans often visits, and hordes of different kinds of birds with beautiful colors that flies around the garden.

And the last one, the south side is the gate of three towers called: “de las Mujeres” (Women’s Gate), “Ephraim,” and the “Corner Gate.” ……….the first one is going to the vast land of farm trees, visited by young Bachelors on feasts days………..the second is going to Samaria and Galilee……….the third is going to Anathoth and Bette. Leaving the left side is the “Serpent’s Pool” of the “Snakes Pool,” and the right side is the “Mount Scandal.”

Like what was mentioned at first, the towers are thirteen in exact. Their names are the following: “Hornilus, Angular (Jaffa Gate), Hananeel, Torre Alta (Golden Gate), Mesh or Mea, Torre Grande, Silvo, David, Psfine, and the last four called: “Women’s Gate.”

Jerusalem is divided into four Cities. and each are separated by the thick walls of Murals, where accessibility is not an easy task for any aggressive attack for battle. But there’s always ways in any openings, and the thresholds from preventing the entering and the exiting of any kind.

The Superior City, or the City of David is surrounded by it’s fortresses in Mount Zion. David’s Tomb, and King’s Palaces in Juda, of Anna and Caiphas, are all inside this City.

The Inferior City is proud because of their Temples that occupies most of the City. It is approximately fourth part of the entire City were occupied…………”Pontius Pilate Palace; the Antonia Citadel; Xisto- which is like a bridge where the Roman Governors can make any announcement needed for the towns people; Mount Arca; the Maccabbees’ Palaces; the Theater “El Grande,” built by Herod for compliment to Caesar and at the top of this Theater is the “Golden Eagle.”

The Second City is for people with nobility, and this is where Herod’s Palace is situated, with his beautiful gardens.

The very last one is “Bezetha City,” where the merchants dwell; selling furs, wool, blacksmiths, vintage stores, and small businesses.

This is how Herod’s administration arranged Jerusalem in order.

Noble City, all eyes are on you. Your name fill the entire world, because at the top of your many Mountains, “the Savior was killed!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021 !!!

THE THREE MAGI KINGS

An extraordinary event is happening in the crowded town of Seleucia. Whenever the trumpets are sounded into what they call in spanish “Toque de Partida,” (the parting touch).It is the sign to gather and assemble the grim soldiers of the New Babylon under the proud Palace of their Old King. From their strong arms are the sparkling golden bracelets; and from their thickening hands are the heavy spears or the bow-legged arrows that they hold on to frequently. They are strong like Lions, and fast as a bird of prey. They spread and expand in the Palace’s spacious front side, waiting for their time for action to move. These soldiers with their caved-in heads are decorated with silk tassels mixed with silver, are breathing fresh pure air form the Alps.. Then the slaves started to put out their tents awning (tolda de campana), and put on to the soldiers strong shoulders to carry. These loads also include their food supplies, wine in leather bags, and water. The “Satrapas” they call, (the Governors) and some leaders are all standing at the first step of the stairs waiting for their masters to bid goodbye before leaving.

The echoing trumpets sounded once again on the other side of this spacious road at the Palace’s front yard, all eyes are on that direction. The Seleucian’s people opened-up their windows, put out their nosy heads, and are curious to find out the cause of all these commotions. These soldier’s early preparations are the reason for the Seleucian’s people to rise-up early in their morning’s good sleep. The frightening thought of a battle makes them fearful for their lives and their friends lives. They are watching those masculine and elegant soldiers with fear, parading across their closed doors. The brave citizens are getting nervous; their hearts are pounding hard as they see the soldiers with their shining armor.

In front of those sparkling and nicely dressed Committees is a young man, riding in a beautiful Camel with his red hair bejewejed with rich decorations from India. An extraordinary turban made of white crepe, elaborated with emeralds coiled around his head. A green feather is projected and pierced in a chunk of piled-up diamonds suited to his forehead. The red and thin wool cloth scarf is wrapped around his body, tightened with a blue belt made of fine silk, and are embroidered with gold. Hanging on his side is a long sword made from Damascus. His sandals that wrapped around his naked foot, sparkles like the sea water when struck by the moonlight.

The dark of night is his face’s color which shines bright when stricken by the sunlight. His thick lips is similar to pomegranate color. His dense teeth are white like the Camel’s milk. His big eyes are like two fishes in an upright position amid the snowball, but his gaze is sad and seemed sorrowful.

Melchor, the King from the foreign land, had committed a gruesome crime; this is why he wanders around the world, to find forgiveness from heaven. He left India Oriental (East Indies), his true homeland, and ended up in Seleucia seeking the Wise Men’s guidance from his lustful sin. His sad eyes and his sad words with his sad behavior made him looked depressed. He can’t sleep right, for every time he closes his eyes, he could hear his sister’s voice repeatedly crying out the following words:

—“Melchor! Give me back my destroyed honor! Melchor! May you be accursed. May you be accursed for raping your own sister!”

Melchor destroyed his sister’s honor, and his wrongdoing restrained him and made him very unhappy. This shakes him and stunned him from his sleep. He is like lost, walking in the desert midst craving for water, looking for life, a live plants for hope. Melchor is indeed wandering around the world looking for forgiveness.

Gaspar, a Magi King, intelligent and known for his great knowledge in Astrology, a loving father to his child gone astray. He gives comforting words for hope. This Chaldean King, sixty (60) years of age with his long white hair, has had this wandering King Melchor gave his full trust in him. His comforting words is the effective relief from Melchor’s grieving heart.

—“You have to go!” Gaspar ordered him. —“Prepare your men and your Camels; tomorrow we are going to travel, and I still don’t know where will it lead us! But that Bright Star that glitters in the midst of these white clouds will guide us through the King’s foot of Juda, the Messiah, which is prophesied by the Prophets. That Star is the “Star of Jacob,” Balaam’s warning!

Melchor obeyed Gaspar’s instructions. Before the break of day, Melchor’s black slaves are all behind him, coming out from that broad and wide plaza of this knowledgeable King at the Palace’s front side.

Seleucia’s soldiers reverently and graciously greeted the newly arrived foreign King and welcomed by their King like it’s own child. After a while, Gaspar and Balthazar appeared in the plaza. Their slaves spread and lined-up in a parade formation where the Kings has to pass-through riding their Camels. And from the command of the oldest, the trumpet echoed its’ sounds once again.

The Committee started to move and finally went towards the wide road exiting the door facing west. The Three Magi are leading and conversing like regular friends. Behind are their magnificent military forces quietly advancing their steps, walking.

—“Where are they going?” the Seleucian’s people asked.

No one knows. The Committee and the rest of the troops are moving away, farther and farther away from the town. The Seleucian’s are debating what is happening, and most of them cannot understand of what are they seeing?

At last! Those troops are gone, vanished from the Seleucian’s sight, from the critical eyes that can no longer see, but just the footprints and the clouds of dusts left by the Three Magi Kings.

Questions arises, asking one after the other; opinions, speculations and nonsense discussions passed around until it spreads like a wildfire through the entire town of Seleucia. But the truth were hidden, and the severe uncertainty is very intriguing. Gaspar, Balthazar and Melchor are more than warriors; they are more knowledgeable and expert on game plans.

—“Where are these Wise Men going?” the town’s people discussions and debates are slowly fading away. The sun’s rising heat is the sign for their time to work. So the entire town of Seleucia is once again back to its’ regular operation. The magnificent troops and the Committees continued their journey, and they do not know where are they going?

On their way is Babylon the Great! They finally reached the ruined City of Babylon and saw of what’s left from that destroyed City. Gaspar commanded that they stop and then gave one agonizing look to this once Great City! The Chaldean’s chosen City. The entire surroundings are nothing but just a pile of crushed building blocks and bricks, the remains of Belo’s proud tower.

Those marble steps from that once Great City was the footstool of the famous and proud Nimrod, and are now in ruins, destroyed. Just like yesterday when six hundred thousand (600,000) inhabitants are happily roaming the surrounding streets, with their one hundred (100) gods and goddesses worshipped from their Temples made of gold and marbles, are now nothing but just a pile of blocks and bricks, like it was blown-up by a great storm, and now are just the hiding place of the wild animals from the desert.

Its’ fertile and exuberant trees and plants, its’ extremely wealthy Palace’s are now gone! In the midst of this ghastly, dreadful scene, exudes a one luxurious leafy tree. This tree’s name is unknown to the travelers, where the passing travelers tied their horses to its’ branches and erect their tents for rests.

This is where the Philosophers meditate and contemplate, this is where the poets sings to their hearts, and this is where the faithful pray. All, for God’s reflection.

Under the luxuriant leafy tree is a piled-up stone; it is by itself, lonely and scary. This is the remnant of an Old Babylonian where Gaspar genuflects and prayed. And Gaspar’s soldiers imitate him because this Old Babylonian is like a god. From this deserted place is like hearing the voice of the Prophet Isaiah, repeatedly prophesying the following:

—“This Babylon! That leads all the Kingdom of the world and its’ honor and to give pride to the Chaldeans, will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. Babylon will be demolished, and blown-up by God forever and will never be inhabited again. The Arabs will not erect their tents, and the shepherds will not let their tend animals roam around its’ surroundings.”

BIBLE VERSE:

—“Behold I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not regard silver; and as for gold, they will not delight in it. Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, and they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye will not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of the Kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldean’s pride will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.” (Isaiah 13:17-20)

When they finished their prayers for the remembrance of those Kings, and to the last one, the only Queen of the world, who reigned that country at one time, the troops then, continued their delayed journey.

Gaspar, the respectable old man, the genius in Astrology, keeps his critical eyes, looking in heaven where the sun cannot concealed and overshadowed the one sparkling Star brightly shining in the sky. A mysterious planet sent by God that defies the Star’s regular routine. It sometimes dangling and twists around, suspended while it moves in different positions. From the cloud, this one Big Star has a “Mother of Pearl” color. And occasionally spitting extraordinary bright lights that looks like glowing silky white fabric.

Its’ movement cannot be determined, but it is going west. The Three Magi Kings are following him like this mysterious magnet is pulling them.

—“I can’t be mistaken, Melchor.” said Gaspar and pointed at the Star at the same time. It sparkles like a little bright shining sun, leading and directing their ways on the right track. —“There’s not a planet in the sky that moves the way it is; that Star is not known to the Chaldeans Astrologers!”

—“Let’s follow!…..Let’s follow! It is a pretty bright light!” a very ecstatic Melchor said. —“He is my guide, my hope, noble old man.”

—“I can assure you.” Gaspar continued. —“That this is the Star of Jacob prophesied by the Prophet Balaam. Be brave, my friends! For he is going to be our bright hope. The hope that gives guidance to the Israelites in the wilderness in the seashores Red Sea.

And the Three Magi Kings with faith in their hearts followed this Bright Star while staring at the sky, but watching their undetermined journey is this glittering bright light that guide’s them. The Camels from Arab can only walk eight hundred thousand (800,000) feet within a day. This Bright Star guiding these Three Kings are always at a moderate distance from them, like the Star has a life of its’ own and calculating, estimating their speed and movements from him.

When the night spreads its’ black mantle, covering the ground, the only glowing light given to them by God would grow dim, like its’ telling the travelers, “it’s time to rest.” When the Kings sees the Bright Star grows dim and the bright light stops, and when they see the Star suspends in the air across their heads, then they stop and command their slaves to prepare and erect their tents. After their supper, they all go to sleep to gain their strength again, meant for tomorrow.

When the night is over, and the sunshine rises again the next day, the Big Star continues to shine its’ bright light. And once again guide these Three Kings’ peaceful journey going west. These troops from the East continued to follow this mysterious guide every day that God made like it never get tired. It could be because of their faith.

Like a Queen, this Star tells their time to rest and their time to continue their travel, and this became their routine. The Bright Star is likely the one that command their movements from the weeks and days that had passed.

—“What is this Star?” This Star never appeared in the midst of those comets and planets, and after that, was never seen again in the sky. Can it be that this is one noble word of heaven to sing praises to God and praises to the Virgin that gives birth to the Messiah?” (words of St. Augustine)

The birth of Jesus became like the Great Magnificent, that belonged to God. The shepherds left their tend sheep to worship HIM! Just like the Kings from the East, they left their honorable Palaces to travel, the planned journey but never knowing where it would end. The Seleucian’s Kingdom, the New Babylon, is so astonished to see them leaving.

Never was a child been praised even from the most bravest King of this earth, unlike the praises granted to Jesus, the just Son of the poor carpenter, born in a manger and laid in a mounted hay. The King’s children do accept respect from their henchmen because of the King’s command. All those who bowed down to their birthing place that pays taxes are under their father, “the King’s” jurisdiction. The slaves that lick the ring from the hand that binds them with chains, have been patiently waiting to tear down and destroy this “Grand” that enslaved them.

These Philosophers lacking faith, cannot make a statement to us until now of any miraculous events about the arrival of the human-gods and goddesses. Herod the King, the proud and powerful King who murdered his own wife and children by his servant with no emotions or conscience, not even a slight of creeps to its’ own flesh! But when he found out that Jesus was born, he was confused and the entire Jerusalem as well. He gathered all the doctors and priests to refer to them of what is the right thing to do because he is seeing his own soul being anxious in his position at the top being “the Grand!”

He cannot understand the picture of the one True Powerful God to change the fate of his grandchildren. And the cheating gods and goddesses are thrown to the ground, stomped and crushed at the foot of the shrine they worship; his fear of the slaves to break their chains; the executioners here on earth will face judgement and can be held accountable for their sins in the front of this One True God from Heaven!

JESUS! Joseph’s Son is the reminder at the time of Jehoash’s Son of Ahaziah or Jehoahaz, and Athena’s memories that are the constant disturbance of these Galilean’s executioners from their sleep.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

continuation…………………………………………………….

THE ARABS

The dawn is nearing, and the glittering bright stars are slowly fading away as if saying that the morning light is about to break out to cover the sparkling stars of the night. The doves from Mount Libano nesting at the top tall trees are not making their sounds yet. Then in a sudden, from the hillside of Mount Carmel are group of Arabs trailing the hilltop sides, and in an abrupt manner, without the warning, the leader shout-out to call everyone. And everyone came to a halt, they stopped beside the deep well of the Prophet Elias for a rest. The leader then, made a brief announcement to everyone that this is where they would lounge from their journey for a few days. Everyone was glad to hear that. Then, the accommodating Camels enfolded their bony knees, to gradually and systematically unload their masters.

Some Arabs are wrapped-up with their white tunics made of wool, but their arms and legs are exposed. They all got-off from their Camels with their blankets variety in colors and spreads them on the grasses. Some sat in a squat positions beside those Olive trees in silence. Long swords on their waists with handles made of bones or relics, in black colors, are suspended on their crumpled belts made of rough goat’s skin.

As the Camels straightened-up their crooked legs for a rest, they drove-down their round nozzles on the cold spring in front of them for a drink; then they slowly and quietly chewed their supplied dried kidney beans in a bag hanging on their heads. Then, from the ground one of the Arabs picked-up a stone, smooth and clean, and on top of it, he put a few grasps of wheat and grind it together with another piece of stone. Grinding gave him the result of a wheat flour, he then mashed it with water from the spring and mixed it with few drops of water from his clay jar. From that work, he made him a slice of somewhat bread in an instant, and served it to his fellow Arabs, where all are amazed to see a new and economical way to make a bread-like for their breakfast.

Everyone took a piece of this bread-like and ate it. Then, the Arabs turned their heads facing east and solemnly said their prayers. As the day went by, and the day turned into night and everyone is preparing for the night prayer, in a sudden, a loud thumped of beat was heard. The Arabs were stunned and promptly stopped their prayers altogether to find out what is that sound that rouse them.

—“Did you hear Hassaf?” said one of the Arabs.

—“Oh, yes!” Hassaf responded.

—“Could that be music coming from the field with people singing along? It reached us here in the midst of night, and to think that we are in between, covered with these big group of trees and groves of palm trees in this mountain peak?”

—“I think.” Hassaf replied. —“Somebody died from one of those arrogant off-springs of Abraham. It could be tortured by one of the Romans and now are on their way to Josaphat’s flat land with their relatives.”

—“The echoes we hear from here are not a sorrowful sound, not even the exact sound of mourning….listen!” Ibrahim said.

—“You’re right!” Hassaf said. —“They sounds like singing joyful music, and their harmonies are of cheerful resonance, like a big celebration.”

—“It seemed that their sounds are getting near here, and if it does!” Ibrahim said.

Hassaf quickly got hold of his sword. —“Hah!” he responded and pulled his shoulder. —The Jews are used to be brave; they are blind for believing their ancestors and their Prophets, they live in hope while they are born a slave and died as a slave.”

—“Ibrahim, do you know where we at now?” Hassaf asked his conveyor.

—“We are here, beside Elias water well.” Ibrahim replied.

—“Therefore!” Hassaf said. —“Everyone knows and God acknowledged that Elias is “God’s Lightning!” from the Israelites clan. This could be why they visit this well often and drink its’ water because they claim that this water can harden your heart and make you fearless and brave.

—“I learned.” Ibrahim responded. —“That the Prophet’s brave disciples are hiding from Mount Carmel’s cave, but they never dispute and fight the Arabs, because they are after the Romans. From Egypt’s sun to the warm breeze in the desert, they respected our burnt heads. Unlike those with red faces and perfumed hair, those paid by the Edomites from the corners, sucked all the licentiousness of this world, from the milk of their gossiping mothers.

—“Do not trust your guts too much!” Hassaf said. —“Think of those Camels resting, and the heavy loads they carry from their arched backs, they are the only treasures of our children.”

—“The group of Arabs like us, fouteen in all, cannot be easily attacked.” Ibrahim replied.

—“May Allah grant us a safe return.” Hassaf said. —“And make a good profit from the gold we got from our land.”

—“May He hear you!” replied one Arab, the first time he said something.

The joyful cheering, the people’s singing, and the resonance of the field workers musical instruments are getting nearer to the well, where the Arabs are resting. The darkest dark of the night is getting ready to retire on the west side. A mellow and a slight streaked of light is a sign that an early sunrise is breaking.

It was still dark when the Arabs rose-up and starts to straighten-up themselves. Their eyes are yet accustomed in the mid-dark when they saw a glimmer of shadow seen through the woods.

—“Who’s walking?” Hassaf said and pulled his sword as quickly at the same time.

—“The Arabs are in great fear!” a voice said.

In an instant, a young man appeared in front of these Arab merchants from Egypt.

—“What do you want?” the Arabs asked him.

—“Water!” the only word that came out from the stranger.

Without saying anything, he quickly rushed and drooped down to drink the cold water from the spring where the Camels are gathered, to quench his thirst.

—“Who are you?” the Arabs asked him one more time.

—“I am one of Elias’s disciples.” the stranger with a well-built posture replied.

From one of the Camels is a basket made of palm leaves; Hassaf bend down his head and pulls a handful of trimmings from a sundried fruit of Apricot and spoke these words:

—“Take this! We Arabs give this to you for friendship. Fruits produced from our land. When Hagar’s child shared food with a stranger, you know that from that moment, Hagar’s child will be fully loved by them.”

—“I know!” the stranger replied.

And the young man sat with them and ate incessantly of what the Arabs gave him, with no fear. His ashen face is in good shape, and it goes with his big black lively eyes. A long black scarf was made of sheep’s hair wrapped around his body; his shoes were made of wolf-skin, a raw leather that keeps his foot safe from the thorns that prick from the mountain’s dangerous ground.

This young man is not an ordinary man. He could be misconstrued as crazy, but his face is portrayed as humble and with long patience, an attitude that is not right from being quiet to his disorganized clothing.

The curious and the observing Arabians, these watchful children of the desert are observing him in silence. The stranger has no care of what is going on around him, he continue to eat like he is by himself inside a dark cave from Mount Carmel.

The echoing sounds of cheerings and joyful singings from their musical instruments, the rabels and tamborils are getting near Elias’s Well. The Arabs felt that these lively groups are the early shepherds coming from the other side of the woods, getting near to where they are. The merchants believed that the coming group are peaceful people.

—“Stop!……….Stop!” the shepherds shouted and stopped beside the Camels.

—“Yes!……….Stop!” a happy young lady with a piercing voice called. —“Stop! and let’s drink this water that the Prophet Elias made holy. Let us ingest one from each, and we go on our way. Then she faced the Arabs and continue to speak:

—“If these travelers would let us drink.”

—“This water is from heaven.” said one of the Arabs. —“From the clouds, God is pouring HIS Holy ground to quench humanity’s thirsts. Let it be accursed for those who withhold the water from his brethren! He will be drowned for lack of water from the desert midst.”

The Arab who said these words gave the young lady a water jar made of metal. She then took it and filled it with water from the spring and passed it around to her fellow people, hand to hand.

—“Where are the happy shepherds going to, cheering while the dawn from the east is yet to come?” asked one of the Arab merchants.

—“We are going to the entire town of Galilee to spread the good news.” the old man with a white beard replied. He looked very respectable. —“The pleasant news that the Messiah is born! That the Prophets prophesied.”

—“Are you crazy old man?” the smiling Arab said.

—“Oh! My friend from the foreign land, I had never been this efficient before.” the old man said.

—“Then, you are joking to us!” the Arab replied.

—“Joking? Joking don’t seem to look good with my white hair.” a serious old man responded.

—“In that manner, in the name of my King Aretas, I will never understand you Hebrew man.”

—“The Angel Gabriel.” the old man explained. —“Appeared to us in our poor hut, my two eyes saw it, my fellow shepherds that are with me right now saw it too. The Almighty God’s light-speed came down from heaven, and it passed across our heads; our ears heard the Angels singings; A star from heaven guided these mountaineers shepherds and brought us down at the foot of the manger where the newborn King is born! He will free us, the abused town people of Israelites, forever!”

The Arabs looked at each other in amazement! —“Is this old man dreaming or a true Prophet? Did the story he just told us is real or a fable? Tales from the wishful thinking of the Israelites?” the Arabs doubts to keep on asking questions are not tolerable.

—“That Messiah!” said one of the Arabs. —“That long-awaited King of your descendants, and you say is now born. Is He maybe a Prince’s child? Can it be that the entire Jerusalem should be celebrating now?”

—“No, Arabian!” the old shepherd man replied. —“The King was born in a manger, and His palace is the animal shelter. His mother is not a powerful Princess; She is Mary, Joseph’s wife, a carpenter from Nazareth.”

Some Arabs laughed aloud, but some are stunned, speechless. While these Arab men from Egypt are softly talking with each other, the mysterious disciple of Elias quickly got up and took advantage of the confused situation. He immediately approached the old man, held his hand, and said these words:

—“Old man, in honor of your beard, from the bones of your ancestors and of your children, I beseech you to make it happen, that you answer in truth some of my questions:

—“Talk to me!” the old man responded.

—“Is it a fact, that everything you just said now are true?” Elias’s disciple asked.

—“Just like the bright sun in the mid-day!” the old man replied.

—“Did you see the Angel of God Almighty here in the land where the inhabitants are humans?”

—“Like how I see you now!”

—“Where is this miracle happened that made this pitiful town of Israel celebrates?”

—“In Juda’s Bethlehem!”

—“Thank you, good old man.”

This mysterious young man can be compared to a deer, that after the questioning, he fled the scene immediately, just like a pack of dogs are running after him. He quickly vanished through the heavy thick woods.

As the shepherds bid their goodbye’s from the Arabians, they continue their journey along with their music and singing.

—“Have you heard Ibrahim?” Hassaf said.

—“Yes, Hassaf!” Ibrahim replied. —“I am just an observant laughing from this Jewish’s dreams. There is no beautiful maiden from Palestine that after giving birth to a baby boy, they already presumed that the child is the Messiah.”

—“But!” Hassaf said. —“The shepherd confessed that they saw and even talked to God’s messenger.”

—“That’s the way it is.” Ibrahim said. —“A hungry person always dreamt of good food from Baltazar’s prepared food. The Jewish’s only dream in their sleep is none other than the Messiah. that should save them from their oppression set on their head by a foreign man from a foreign land.”

—“Doubts don’t look good to a faithful man like you.” an angry Hassaf replied.

—“When I see.” said Ibrahim. —“That my Camels with their heavy loads of wheat they carry from Egypt and started to sink in the desert all the way to their knees, then I will tell to myself: Allah is so big!……….When I see the raging waves of the sandy desert devoured my group of merchants, then I will say to myself: Allah is Mighty!……….When I hear the birds are singing in Paradise, when I am taken on high from the sweet scents of flowers from the gardens in the desert midst and the sun is like smiling across my face, then I will tell myself: Allah is truly good and merciful!……….In that way, I can imagine Him, seeing Him from the other side of that thick veil that covers my eyes. But a Jewish woman born a child in a manger and yet a King has no meaning to me, just another Roman’s slave, where one more hope from the Israelites had just died.”

The Arabs are truly interested in debating, but after Ibrahim finished talking, Hassaf folded his arms as Ibrahim’s contender.

—“I will see that child!” Hassaf said.

After a while, the sun rises and its’ bright light divided and parted the last surviving cloud of the night. This group of merchants prepared to leave and continue their delayed journey. The obedient Camels, from just one call of their masters, quickly got up.

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Let us leave the travelers for a while; the Arabs and their Camels are going to Jerusalem. Let us go back and see the other characters like the shepherds that in God’s will are on their way too, heading to that God-child!

THE SHEPHERDS

—“A scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corner’s of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

—“Edom will become a possession as will Seir, his enemy, but Israel will perform with valor. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the suvivors’ of the City.

A community of poor and destitute cottages were clustered together. Their good neighboring association in the valley of this mountain is a sign that this is a good resting area for the travelers. This town was called “the Shepherd’s town.” This town is ten thousand (10,000) feet from Bethlehem. Their good reputation and its’ good inhabitants are living in hope. Their way of living were none other than to feed their animals with fresh grasses, and they are living in hope from the rumored coming of the “Messiah,” for the Israelites, to save them from their bondage of slavery. A foreigner’s slaves from a foreign country.

The night was a happy month of December, and the stars in the sky are a sign that it is in the midnight hour. Some Shepherds are around this bonfire that is no longer burning; they are under the hut with a weak foundation, watching and guarding their sleeping sheep. It was cold that night. One of them was an older man with a long white beard, and portrayed on his face was an honest, humble man like the old Patriarch’s.

—“Old Sof!” one Shepherd said. —“Being a Shepherd is hard work; we stay awake all night just like now.”

—“Your are right young man!” the old man replied without even raising his head.

—“But Abraham is also a Shepherd, and he is more significant than we are; therefore, your heart should be delighted from that matter.”

—“Oh! That Prophet takes care of his sheep’s hair for his children.” replied by one conveyors. —“We work hard and stay awake all night only to give our money to Caesar’s taxes, to expand their wickedness more, these Romans who grabbed our land freely.”

—“These Romans, and hopefully it happens that Almighty God destroys them all. They all laughed at our miseries and sufferings, we the Jews are carrying.” revealed by one.

—“And so it happened! They presumed that we are just a bunch of unworthy slaves!” said one of the Shepherds.

—“Nevertheless, these miserable and vicious Romans, as well as these vulgar worshippers of Molok, along with Venus the gossiper, when the promised Messiah descended from heaven, Israel’s Savior, HE will be the one to save us from our bondage as a slave!” the old man said.

And when the old man delivered those words, they noticed that his face changed, depicted in his face was like a fortune teller’s character.

—“Old man, it looks like the Messiah is severely antiquated.” said all, and simultaneously responded. —“While this bloodthirst Herod is counting us, as his dogs. He laughed at our sufferings and to our hopes too!”

—“Let us respect God’s will!” the old man said.

—“It may be good for all the Israelites to get together as a group. And with those free people from the Mountain of Palestine, we can combat them, to drive them away and throw them out of Judea. These Romans are not from here!” an angry Shepherd said.

—“The criminals and thieves at any time could never give us our freedom as Abraham’s children.” the old man replied. —“The Messiah is the only one that can guide us through this darkness of the night and the sufferings we are going to. Let us wait for His coming.”

—“The peace of Almighty God be unto you!” saith the one with a sweet voice that make’s the old man’s heart trembled! He abruptly got up!

—“Come in!” the old Shepherd man replied.

—“If you are a traveler looking for a shelter tonight, then come in and take my bed made of sheepskin for you to lay; and if you are hungry, then come join us and eat the poor’s bread and for our drink, we have the sheep’s milk.”

The stranger went inside the hut. He is a young man, approximately in twenty (20) years of age. With his young and beautiful face, his clean cut appearance is a sign of that a beard has not been visible yet.

His eyes are colored in blue like the violets from Jericho. His sweet and gentle gaze is like the gaze of the Virgin in Zion’s Temple. His reddish hair is similar to those wheats from Egypt. And his lips are comparable to a poppy color, reddish. His shining forehead is akin to Palestine’s sky, looking like the one bright sun of January, wide and bright clear. A white tunic, genuinely pure, is wrapped around his body. A wide silk tied around his waist is a belt colored in green, embroidered in gold, and it emanates his elegant posture.

In the midst of his chest is a beautiful glittering star, it sparkles brilliantly, and with its’ sweet beaming rays, gives a glowing light to a darkened hut. The Shepherds were truly amazed by the emergence of a stranger that just popped-up in front of them

—“Who are you?” the old man asked in persistence.

—“My name is Gabriel, and I am from the seashores of the Tigris River. I am guiding the Three Magi Kings from the East. They left the crowded City of Seleucia from following me.”

—“Did you intentionally came here to save us from slavery, from the Roman’s hands?” asked the old man.

—“I came here to make known to all that the promised Messiah is born!” the stranger replied.

The Shepherds are in disbelief of what they just heard; with their open-mouthed expression, they are at the same time looking, and beholding St. Gabriel amid their wonderment, mixed with fear.

—“GLORY BE TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! And peace on earth to people of goodwill!” the guest continued.

His whole body is oozing with bright lights in abundance this time. Then in a sudden, sounds were heard. The singing sounds were heard coming from heaven, and are repeatedly singing the following verses:

—“Glory and peace! Glory to God and peace to men! Glory in heaven and peace on earth, to the humble men in mind with a pure kind heart!”

With amazement and admiration, the open-mouthed Shepherds are fascinated by the never ending miracles they are witnessing at that moment. They were all astonished! slowly retreating, slowly backing down their steps, withdrawing from the stranger, and with their eyes wide open, they are fully awake this time.

—“Do not be afraid!” the Angel Gabriel said. —“For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be the cause of a big celebration to all people and the world. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which Christ the Lord! And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Then the stranger got up and went to leave, but the old man ran after him. He knelt to the ground and asked St. Gabriel:

—“Before you leave, please let us know who you are?”

—“I am Gabriel, an Angel, God’s messenger here on earth.”

After he said this, he vanished! The shining lights also diminished with him, and the singing from heavens perished at the same time. The Shepherds are all in awe. But still, they all looked at each other in a state of fright.

—“Abraham! Abraham!” shouted the old man, filled with joy! —“God truly wants to restore HIS pleasant days because HIS Angels descend from heaven to visit HIS people!”

The good Shepherds were like out of their mind in excitement; they were insanely happy from the blessings God revealed them. They left the hut in a hurry, leaving their sheep with no one to watch them and guard them in the dark of the night. Off they went to awaken their friends and relatives to give them these incredible phenomena.

Upon hearing this good news! The entire town went together. They left their humble cottages without the concern of the deep cold night. They gathered their donkey’s and filled them with different kinds of gifts, everything that is worthy for them, to offer at the foot of the newborn babe, “the Messiah.” And they all went in haste to Bethlehem.

The old man was leading the group, just like Zerubbabel, who leads his people to usher them to their desired land. A big resounding music from the Shepherds echoed, and it shook the heaven’s firmament. From their musical instruments called “rabel” (an instrument with three strings), and a “tamboril” (drum), the young maidens were dancing while the young men were singing. Their furtherance from the promised Messiah is not a concern for them.

They finally reached the chosen town. At last! These joyful groups arrived in that fortunate City chosen by God to be the rightful town for HIS Son. The Shepherds stopped in a while at the first house they found on the way, to plan and think carefully the celebration, and what good things they should do.

—“Where is the Messiah?” asked by these curious women. —“We want to worship Him and offer to His foot our miserable and poor life.”

The old man could not reply back, for he himself does not know where the Messiah is. They are still on the way to find this newborn child. Bethlehem is not a huge town, but it is difficult to immediately find a newborn child, especially at the 12:00 midnight hour.

An extraordinary event pointed them to what they are looking. A bright star from the dark blue sky was seen falling. A starlight graciously bright, dropped down at the top of a dark entryway, a cave. The group of Shepherds, just like one person, simultaneously turned their heads in one direction, following where the star bright is headed, and they saw the star flashing its’ light, and fell upon a cave.

—“There it is!” they all shouted, filled with gladness.

—“Let’s get in!”

And they all went in excitation, to the cave, the animal shelter. They were in amazement to see a newborn babe laid in a manger. A lone mounted hays, with a beautiful child on top, the Son of God, designed inside the Immaculate womb of Mary.

The child, a promised Messiah, a God in person, came down to earth to die as a martyr for men’s sins.

Joseph and Mary are standing beside the manger, beholding this dear beloved child, in God’s will, trusted for safekeeping. The couple were astounded as they saw the Shepherds entered the cave.

—“Our God!” said the oldest Shepherd and knelt at the same time.

—“Our God!” and then they turned their care to Mary. —“Because you are a Queen! An Angel came down from heaven, and make us cometh here, to worship your child. Please accept our humble offerings at your foot from these poor Shepherds with our smallest and least offerings, attached are our own willful gifts to bring it here. And if you would kiss him for us with your beloved lips, to kiss the Blessed lips of this newborn babe, the Messiah who is fast asleep in a manger, to make it happen to pray for us to that sent by God, and make it happen that we Israelites be delivered from our long dreadful sufferings.”

After the old man’s speech, the Shepherds then offered their gifts at the foot of the Virgin. And when the young maiden’s turn to offer her gift, she said the following words:

—“Oh! Mother of my God! My young lamb, my offering, is as pure as the white morning dew from Mount Ararat. I offer this to my God, your child. My lamb’s soft hair, is like Absalom’s thick hair that covers his young body; pure, like your smile from your lips; sweet, like your eyes that gives pure gape from the heart; please accept this, My God! along with my father’s joy and happiness, Sof! God grant my father these precious and worthy blessings that we may offer even a small souvenir to a Christ prophesied by the Prophets at this blessed moment. To see the Messiah in his lifetime, is his yearning before he journeyed to his next life.”

—“My friends!” said the Virgin. —“I accept in the name of my beloved Son, all the souvenirs you brought in here, and my tears are telling my heartfelt “Thank you. The God that sees can read your hearts; the faith that leads you here is the one to return the favor from your difficulties and hardships.”

One after the other, they knelt at the foot of this Blessed child in a manger, to kiss the hays where Jesus laid. The music from rabel and tamboril are playing non-stop, while the young maidens are happily dancing at the foot of the newborn child-God, HIS beloved parents are singing along with the young men, singing praises to God of Zion.

The heaven’s beaming light from the moon is giving its’ silver rays of bright light to this incomparable scene. And God Almighty, from HIS eternal Throne, are praising these poor mountaineers, for they are the first one to swallow the first drop of the water of abundance of Christianism!

From the foot of this humble stable is where the child was born. The Shepherds left the cave, animal shelter they call, after worshipping Jesus. And once again, they are in disbelief, like crazy from their immense happiness of their hearts. They spread this good news to their surrounding areas of Bethlehem.

—“The Messiah is born!!!” they all shouted, full of confidence, the true descendants of Abraham!

—“Israel is now saved! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!

MESSIAH’S BIRTHING PLACE

Bethlehem, the pearl of Juda. You are like one gasping dove from Palestine; you are hopping to the highest mountains to savor the aroma of your meadow’s scents. To your beautiful hills are these crawling grapes with its’ crystal granules when ripe from the sun’s heat were giving their delicious sweet juice.

Olives and daffodils forestation gives you delicious fruits under the cool shades from the sun’s heat. The grapefruits from your gardens are bringing sweet fragrances. Your anemones and daffodils from your meadows are sending you its’ different kind of aromatic scents, and they are the one that gives your land its’ variety of colors because of their beautiful flowers.

A chosen City, a valued gems. Watched and beheld by God and esteemed from the highest of HIS Empire. You are the birthplace of this one shepherd, that after the meek lambs were driven away from your beautiful terrain were brought back, and once again Israel’s flag successfully erected to Euphrates seashores.

You also is the birthplace of the One God in a world that is to come like a good shepherd of souls. David and Jesus are the first ones to receive their mother’s love; from the very first pulse of their lives mixed with grief and pain, are their young hearts covered with it’s delicious sweet scents from your flowery hills.

Oh, Bethlehem! The eternal and unforgettable town, a City loved by God. Awaken! from your slumber! for the bright dawn is here! The countless Camels are ascending into your pleasant valleys. People from Bethlehem, look-out into your windows, for the travelers are coming-in to your peaceful town. Caesar’s orders are the one that set this in motion to leave their homes, only to find yours.

Watch the wealthy children from Palestine riding on their female donkey’s; their donkey’s with white pearly skin like a dew, decorated with beautiful ornaments. These wealthy children are wearing their scarves colored in purple, from the soft breeze of air, their purple scarves are flowing gently like the Zion’s small flags. Their headcovers made of thin laces hides their faces from the watchful eyes.

Horses from the Arabs, where the rich and wealthy bachelor’s rides on it, and with their neighing and trampling horses, its’ purpose is to attract attention to let the onlookers know their dignified blood from their ancestors.

Things that stand out too are the Oremon with cedar woods and ivory, enhanced with the hanging fine silk made from Damascus. It is carried by people wearing long black clothing, showing their grief, to make aware of their humble conditions by carrying God’s treasures.

There are also these respectable old men riding their humped back Camel’s with their legs crossed on top of it. One more to see is this big group of poor people walking, holding on their craggy canes, pressing their weight to their canes with their thickening hands as they walk.

Everyone is on their way to Bethlehem; it was Caesar’s order. But how can a small city accommodate so many people, just like a dove’s nest sitting on top of a shabby mount, it will be overwhelmingly full.

Nevertheless, people from Bethlehem opened-up their doors and offered their homes and services to strangers. By then, the entire city were quickly filling up with foreigners, to its’ full capacity; people from out of town are hurrying up and scouring to get ahead for listing their names on Caesar’s big book.

From the narrow streets of Bethlehem, people are jammed and crammed from each other like ants. Thick crowds of people are arriving, coming into Priest’s City. The Great Jerusalem has never been visited like this before and has never been as crowded even in the unleavened bread feasts, unlike in this twenty-fourth (24) of December in Bethlehem, in 5099 of the earth’s years.

By obeying Caesar’s order, Joseph and Mary arrived the same day after the long six parts of distances by walking. A truly difficult journey. They immediately list their names in David’s City upon arriving. After their name listings, they went and looked for a place, an Inn to rest.

The Saint with the Virgin Mary stopped in front of a big house with white walls and high entryways, not far from the City. The said building was intended for the wealthy, rich Israelites.

Like the big houses or Lodges in Persia, the owner offers good rest and comfort in exchange for silver coins. With Joseph’s full of dust, weakened and exhausted, he stopped a few steps away from the found white building. Leaving his wife under a shady Olive tree, he walked alone to the building, determined to get a room for a good rest.

From the wide slits of those high doors, can be seen big groups of Hebrews, noisy, making a lot of commotions, socializing and chattering inside the building. And with their dazzling beautiful clothes, it was understood that they are rich and wealthy.

A few steps away from the high entryway is an old Jewish man sitting on a rock with a very ugly face, and wearing a loathsome clothing, it was darkened with soil. In front of him is rough and grimy table. At the table’s top is a small tin box laid open, and deep inside are the glittering silver coins and gold. From his cracked dried hand, is a pen-like object to list his guests names.

—“Peace be with you, good old man.” Joseph’s greetings, full of respect.

—“What do you want?” A muttering old man replied.

—“Are you the owner of this lodge?” The Patriarch asked.

—“I am the owner.” The Jewish’s dried response.

—“Me and my wife are here for Caesar’s order by listing us. We are from Nazareth and we plead to you in God’s name to make it happen and grant us a piece of your roof for a shelter.” Joseph implored.

—“My house is open for travelers who pay to get in.” The Jewish responded.

—“We my friend, are truly poor and not even a cent from our belongings could be found.” The Patriarch declared.

—“Nothing really good could come out to us from Galilee.” The Jewish responded.

With no regards, he turned his back from Joseph and started to converse to a Roman wearing gold belt and a sparkling hat; this indicates that the Roman is an outstanding citizen and in a high position from the group.

Joseph sighed from the bottom of his inner self and left the door that denied them the entry and went back to his waiting wife.

—“We came in too late, Mary.” Joseph told his wife with a forced smile.

—“There’s not even a small corner for us to fill in that house.” Joseph continued.

—“Let’s get into the City.” The sweet response of the Virgin. —“We might find a merciful soul to let us in.”

And the two went, and walked towards Bethlehem.

For a long time, the pitiful pair, the lost pilgrims have been all over Palestine, praying for mercy as they walked, that somebody with a compassionate heart would let them in. Like worshipping Christ’s Holy Sepulcher, Joseph and Mary went all over Bethlehem’s narrow streets and found not one house is charitable enough to open their doors to shelter them.

The mellow sunlight are now slowly sinking, sunset from the west, but the pitiful Nazarites still had not found a roof to let them in. The sprinkling rain that night was truly chilly.

Inscribed from their faces are the hard endurance for the long sufferings that night, but not a bit of complaint from their grievances came out from their lips.

The Blessed wife, the Immaculate Virgin is in her moment now, a month they; to give birth. In the middle of this tragic moment, the trouble they are stuck in, Joseph looked at his wife, and with a sweet smile on her face, Joseph’s heart broke into pieces.

Being good in nature, the carpenter is one Holy forbearance; he continued to implore, house to house, begging for shelter, asking even a small space in the corner.

—“Galilean, you cannot fit in here.” is always the response by the unconscientious residents from Bethlehem. But Joseph’s course of action is just to sighed and then plead again, but his solicitations and pleadings are always denied.

The meek Virgin of Zion, the pure and the spotless mother of the home, the overflowing spring and unending sweetness of mercy. A mother not known to even a small stain of sin. You carry to your womb the “Divine Word.” You have not seen even a bit of smile with compassion, not even a hand that knows how to conform, or not even one house compassionate enough to receive you with love, for you are full of affection, full of love.

From HIS secretive design, The God Almighty loved to try your unending sufferance. Your infinite character is no comparison in accordance. Your pondering contemplation while walking the streets lasts until the deep night. The Blessed travelers reached the very end side of the City.

In front of their teary eyes laid a desolate wilderness of Bethlehem. They are bound by the complete silence of the night. The moon’s gloomy light and the Blessed two at the very moment are nailed to where they stand because of their difficult situation. They don’t know where to go anymore. The howling wolves and the jackals grinding, whizzing sounds are heard from the nearby woods, a warning of their near leaving from their caves.

The Sainted couple is at the Bethlehem’s south side, not far from the city that denied them an Inn. All of a sudden, a bright moonlight from heaven came rushing down, an exceedingly bright light, with its’ radiant speed, fell on top of a rock, a few steps far from where they stand.

From the north side of this giant rock is like a big black dot. Joseph came near to take a good look and inspect the area that surrounds them. The distressed wife, from all of a sudden, cried out in delight.

The black jot they saw from the giant rock is an opening, an entrance to a cave or cavern. The extreme and wide entryway is narrowing as you go in. In the inside are the Bethlemites animals. The animals used the cave once in a while for their shelter, and the shepherds refuge on stormy nights.

The couple thanked heaven for they were given a shelter for cover, the animal’s habitation. Mary then hold on to Joseph’s arm and sat down on top of this clean rock, and from the inner side of the cave, the rock she sat on seemed to look narrower and hard to sit in.

Slowly, as their eyes get used from the darkness that surrounds them, they found out that they are not alone. A gentle and calm cow was lying at the stable’s foot, softly chewing the left of his food. Joseph tied their female donkey beside the cow and then he laid down his scarf at the Virgin Mary’s foot, and without saying anything, he sat down quietly.

Mary the Immaculate Nazarene, David’s child, the immortal woman, gave birth here, in a poor stable without any help and no difficulties of anguish. The Messiah, the King of Kings, The Almighty God’s child.

The Beloved mother put the child on top of a mounted hays in the stable. then she knelt down to the ground, and from the stable’s foot, she worshipped the Christ child, like he was sent from Heaven. Joseph imitated what his wife did.

The night was severely cold, just like in the exposed cave, not fully covered; they cannot light a fire, but the good cow’s breath and the donkey’s breath helped the newborn child to stay warm from their warm breathing. On the other side, Mary was watching the child with her tearful eyes, and with her heart full of gladness; the child was giving her a pleasing smile.

—“What more should I call you?” uttered by the Patriarch’s child while their heads are bent down, watching God’s child. —“No death? But I conceived through God’s power of creation!………………..Can I call you God? But you are made of flesh! Can I come near you and offer you frankincense or give you the gift of my milk? Can I fulfill my Godly obligation to you as a mother?, or should I serve you as your slave and bowed down my forehead to you to the ground?

The moon by then was spreading its’ beaming light, illuminating this radiance graceful scene.

GOD is born!! Humankind should all come out and rejoice at the foot of HIS birthing place.

The uncircumcised and the condemned gods and goddesses are happy from their immodest shrine, while the Roman slayers cannot find more hearts to destroy.

A STAR IS BORN FROM THE EAST!! The Angel Gabriel proclaimed the Birth of Christ to the shepherds. Herod, the cruel Edomite, Bethlehem’s executioner, is despaired like the entire Jerusalem.

All these wonders and phenomena are warnings of something unique that can give complete joy to people’s hearts carrying grief. The thing to occur is none other than Christ’s Birth in the stable’s animal; Christianity is born of a Virgin in a poor stable from David’s City!

to be continued……………………………………………………………….

CAESAR’S COMMAND

Nazareth’s beautiful maidens open-up their windows at the strike of the sunlight, the sunrise sent from the east. A beautiful day to rise, and you can’t rose as early as the wife of Joseph the carpenter. Watch her, and she’s long been out. On her most Holy head that someday would be crowned by the Angels in heaven was the Nazarite’s heavy jar. Her feet where the moon would be her footstool when that glorious day come, are now in a hurry to spring.

Flowing in her vein is a royal blood, but her ancestor’s throne in Rome had long been destroyed from the eagle’s sharp claws. Her ancestors crown is now resting in the Temple of a foreign god. She doesn’t boast her royal roots. She is very refined and bashful, a hard worker. Just like every ordinary Hebrew woman, her hobby is her household chores. The exhortations of her Psalmist forefather is always in her mind. Her whole nobility as a Prince’s child, shows at her dignified and noble home.

The Virgin Mary arrived in the spring, followed by some Nazarites women after a few minutes and they greeted her in the Israelite way:

—“Peace be with you.” They said.

—“And peace be with you.” Mary replied.

She then, carried her heavy jar filled with water on her head and prepared to leave, back to Nazareth where she trails Naples’ rocky roads. As she goes, the Nazarite women would grouped in together and as the Virgin Mary passes by, her apparent condition could not surpass their critical eyes. And one of them directly said that Mary is pregnant.

These women can’t even dare to offer Mary their joyful greetings. But in their hearts are full of gladness, and they thought of dispersing this news all over town. While Joseph continued to work in their narrow house, the noble Patriarch was not sensing anything unusual. Because his eyes are blind. Far from thinking of evil and wickedness, for his respect to his wife remained the same just as when she was in the Zion’s Temple.

Days went by, and Mary’s condition is getting obvious, but Joseph still would not believe what his two eyes can see, yet sadness nests in his heart, and anguish that can’t be described. Sleepy eyes that would not close, and a deep sigh escaped his chest. The venomous and poisonous doubts start to linger around, scattered all over his pure and gentle soul. Carrying an axe on his shoulder that day, he went to Carmel. Holding there in his deep wrinkled and noble forehead is a dark omen. With his weakening body and troubled mind, he sat down under the shady and luxuriant sauce tree. (Sauce lloron tree?) He forgot why he went to that place.

—“Is it true of what my eyes had seen?” Joseph whispered to himself.

—“Mary a pure Virgin and unadulterated wife, with a loyal and faithful heart, how can this happen? To forget her commitments? How will I believe? Did she play my full trust? A man that provided and offered a fatherly love and took her in my arms and cared for her? I respected her the way she likes it? How can I believe that Mary can shame me? At my old age, with all this white hair on my head? Aaah! NO! NO! NO! This can’t happen.” Joseph’s doubts.

Suddenly, Joseph stopped whispering to himself and freely let his tears fall down his cheeks. Then like a mute, he remained still and silent for a moment.

—“It is widely known that she is pregnant.” The Patriarch continued to whisper.

—“The entire town of Nazareth fully understood. My relatives came to my doorstep to greet me and give me their heartfelt gift of felicity. The happiness in their faces mixed with gladness, and with their joyful remarks, is a full blown annihilation of my heart! Because they don’t fully understand the unstained and pure knot that binds us.”

—“What could be the right thing to do? Oh! God of Zion………………Should I continue to live with this unfaithful woman under the same roof? Would I let them surmount me and be ridiculed where I could fail and do some wrongful act against the law? Would I cover my ears from Solomon’s words when he says:”

—“A man living with a traitor or an adulterer woman is a fool, and no mind of its own.”

From all his doubts that eats him, this blessed man had endured great sufferings and formidable difficulties. To oppose the law or trash his wife’s reputation are the only two ways to appease his tight and intense condition. The agitation and distress of feeling jealous are like a severe hell, a husband that cannot forgive in times of revenge. Solomon said this:

—“Death is the ultimate punishment for a spouse who committed fornication or adultery.”

The noble court wrote it, for the Hebrew law, from Mount Sinai that, “Jealousy is truly the greatest horrors for the Israelites.” Grisly examples are blatantly known throughout history. “Doubts” is the evil they hate most, for it allows and permits a man to use a weapon, to hurt and cut a sinful woman, who by then soaked in blood. Dina, Tamar, Marianna, and some I can’t remember are history’s tragic examples. A child out of wedlock or outside the Sacrament of Matrimony is accursed unto the tenth generation. Illegitimate children cannot attain honors and high positions given to the Hebrews, and their dirty soles cannot walk in the synagogues. Assemblies and Congregations in every country are closed for them. The light of knowledge in every school of every Empire are all denied for them.

All this are in the Patriarch’s mind. But God Almighty took pity and sympathized Joseph for his hidden heartbreaking anguish, and so, God sent him a hypnotic sleep, a sleep that gives strength to the body. While under a shady and luxuriant tree of Sauce, Joseph’s reddish eyes from his fiery tears that flow down his cheeks, closed and fell into a deep sleep. Then, immediately, a bright, sparkling cloud in Opal color came down from heaven and expanded like a lattice on top of that luxuriant and leafy tree. A sweet voice came out from that silver cloud and say:

—“Joseph, son of David,” the astonishing voice said. —“Do not be afraid to get along and live with your wife because the child she is carrying is from the power of the Holy Spirit. She is going to deliver a one bright, shining baby boy that you will name “Jesus” because He is going to save your sinful and corrupt town.”

Then, Joseph woke-up from his deep sleep, filled with joy. Like the clouds from heaven that quickly diminished and blown away from the nights’ gentle wind, all his doubts are gone. His doubting soul, at first, is now firm and strong. His bothered heart is now gone from the majestic words that came from the admirable messenger of God. His weakened and immovable arms before he fell asleep are now strong and powerful. With his axe, he can strike those tall pine trees, like he wants to take back all those wasted times. He glorified and honored God’s words and saw Mary as the destined Mother of the coming Savior. He was embarrassed by all his doubts he thought about and so, he hides it all in his heart.

A month had passed by and the Monsoon dry wind came. The autumn leaves started to fall from their branches, and the October clouds indicates the nearing snow season. One early morning, a loud blast of trumpet from a Roman slave awakened the peaceful town of Nazareth. It disgruntled and surprised the Nazarites. Like the bees flew around their cocoons from the disturbance, are how the Nazarenes went on a rampage around the Roman soldiers. Their coming to a peaceful and crime-free town is what they wanted to understand. What is the purpose of their weapons and shield targets for battle?

Their doubts lingered on for quite a while, and they found out when a ranked Centurion waved a small flag and told the slave that he could carry out his duties; wherefore the slave lift-up his trumpet and blew it twice to get everybody’s attention for the announcement. He shouted aloud from the top of his lungs, and in a clear voice, he said the following:

—“The Governor Quirinius of Syria, from the command of Augustus Caesar, the Roman’s Emperor, Asia’s owner of Egypt, of Syria, of Judea, of Galilee, of Phoenicia, commands and complied to all Hebrews from the lower side of Galilee to expedite every family of the family clans, to move to their ancestral cities to list! (Census) For the coming three months beginning now, Caesar with his brave soldiers, can find out how many people are on his land property. Those who don’t comply would pay a fine of six lambs if rich and be strike with a rod if poor. Obey the world’s Master will!”

The Nazarenes doubts and enthusiasm at an earlier time is now satisfied. But the wicked Emperor’s orders made them sad in their hearts and gave them ghastly faces from apprehension.

Nevertheless, this has to be done, for it is their Lord’s command. What could the Israelites do but obey his orders. The prominent and high-ranking Hebrew Empire, the bravest, and respected at one point in time with their Poetic King, are brought down to Herod’s time to a no more than a cauldron of slaves that licketh Herod’s ring in his fingers. These slaves were tormented with chains that bound.

—“Nothing comes out from Galilee are good enough.” That’s what the Holy Scriptures said.

The Nativity (Belen), Bethlehem in Juda, are now being prepared by the Prophets for Jesus’s Birthing place.

Joseph is now preparing and getting ready to travel to carry on Caesar’s orders. Bethlehem is his ancestor’s City. God’s secretive wills would take Joseph to the chosen town, but he don’t know this. The lying goddesses believed by the Romans are God’s accessories, used to fulfill prophecies.

It’s starting to snow now in Samaria’s Mountain, and the lone Mountain in Lebanon covered with snow is sending its cold breeze to Leontes seashore, through the rough coasts of Phoenicia.

(The classical Leontes or the Litani river is named after the Canaanite deity “Lotan,” a seven-headed sea serpent and servant of the sea god “Yam.” The river that winds and coils like a serpent through the Beqaa Valley was believed to be the personification of the deity.)

The Mediterranean sea with its vast and high waves, breaketh its gnashing impact through Tyre, Sidon, and Beirut’s riverbank. The skies’ reigning clouds carry the cold winter breeze around the pleasant terrain of Batanaea through the sandy meadows of Edom.

The severe cold and bad weather did not hold back Joseph to his voyage. The destination is exceedingly far. Besides the great heat, they have to trail dangerous roads to adhere to Caesar’s order. Joseph is very attentive to trusting God, and in one cold morning, in the rainy month of December, he left town.

It was in the 752 Roman years and the forty-second year reign of Octavian Augusto (Augustus Caesar) when this poor Nazarene left his poor cottage. He left his sweet, peaceful home and went with his Virgin wife to David’s City. Mary is just like those maiden born on the eastern side, riding on a female donkey with a whitish hair and a smooth skin, the uprear of this well -built animal hanged two baskets made of palm leaves. Contained in those two baskets are their food for travel and a small jar for fetching water from the springs.

Joseph is walking beside the donkey, holding the donkey’s bridle where Mary is riding, and on Joseph’s other hand is his craggy cane.

—“May you two have a prosperous journey.” The relatives and some friends said when they saw the couple leaving town for Samaria.

Smiles filled with affection are the couple’s response, and they continued to walk, going to Priest’s City. The sundown came, and the night falls and the godly travelers joined the voyagers with them to get into the public hostel, a torn down caravanserai. At the foot of Nain’s City is a resting area for traveler’s from Galilee and Samaria.

The couple rested distant apart from the rest of the travelers. The whole night was cool, and it passed by the Messiah’s parents quietly, where nowhere to lay other than Joseph’s leather scarf. No good food to eat other than the hard and tiny omelets of the Nazarenes and some selected dried figs that grew from the meadow’s wayside of Zabulon.

to be continued……………………………………………………….