|
Time Traveller
Through the window, a bright light struck my face, awakening me. I open my tired eyes to find it is still night, but the moon… no, wait, a star, the brightest star I have ever seen, is making it's presence known in my darkened bedroom. Wanting a better look, I throw on a cloak, run down the cold stone stairs to the first floor and out the door. The star glows with a brilliance that cannot be described, yet my mind searches for the words as I remove parchment and quill from an inner pocket. Somehow I know this is important and want to record the event. The star, like a lambent flame on a single candle in a darkened room, seems to beckon toward me, calling me forward, wanting me to follow. What can I do but obey. A few blocks away, the star points to an inn with a run down stable behind it. I am puzzled. What is unique about this place, I wonder. I decide to sit against the wall of a building across the street from the inn and observe. It is late, most are in their beds asleep, unaware. I see two people approach the inn and knock on the door. The couple looks weary and the woman I notice is pregnant. There is a conversation with the innkeeper that I cannot hear, but I can understand the motions. There are no rooms available. The man is disheartened, I can tell he has heard this many times this night, but as he turns away, the innkeeper takes pity on the two and motions towards the stables. The man looks to the woman, and she nods, not the slightest bit of disappointment registering in her young face. The two depart down the alley toward the back of the building. Again, I sit and wait. I study the star with its pulsating brilliance. What message do you bring, I ask silently of it. Then, a group of people, shepherds by the looks of them, enters the alley toward the stables. Curious, I think to myself. I make note of it on my parchment. As I sit writing, once more I notice a small group, exotically garbed in rich, colorful fabrics. They look like the descriptions I have heard of kings from far away lands. I thought they must have rooms at the inn, but surprisingly they walk past the front door and descend into the alley as well. Quickly, I gather my things. I must follow these people, this is a strange occurrence! Quietly I proceed, wondering what I will find. The air is balmy, caressing my skin, the sweet smell of hay filling my nostrils. When I happen upon the stable building, I am quite surprised. Brightly lit from within, the group of shepherds make way for the three kings to move forward. I too, move forward, curious to see why this assemblage has gathered here. Through the open door I see the kings bow in front of the couple that I had seen talking to the innkeeper! Or, I realize, more accurately, to the bundle that lies in the manger… that is when I realize the woman has given birth, and the three kings are offering gifts and kneeling, as if in worship, before the newborn. I am in awe, too dumbfounded to move, as I witness a miracle… I realize, this is the birth of the King of kings. |