Chapter 12 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: A Surprising Encounter

A Surprising Encounter - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

The next morning, Marcel helped Joseph light the fire. He had learned how to arrange the twigs just right and how to strike the flint so that sparks would appear quickly. Gabi watched them closely, always eager to be useful. She could hardly wait for the moment when Joseph would let her try the flint herself.

When the fire was ready, she poured water into the pot and added the grains Joseph kept in a small pouch. She sprinkled in crushed sprigs of thyme or oregano she had gathered along the way. She was learning quickly to recognize herbs by their shape and scent.

Now, delighted that she could contribute in her own way, Gabi prepared herbal tea for everyone from mint and lemon balm. Joseph boiled the water over the fire, and she added the herbs she had collected near the shed. She covered the pot with a thick linen cloth and waited patiently for the infusion to be ready. Then she poured it into the same cups from which they had drunk that strange milk, not from a cow.

Of course, Marcel had scrubbed those cups thoroughly with sand in the nearby stream and rinsed them just as carefully.

Gabi poured her special brew with a wooden ladle-that-wasn’t-quite-a-ladle. Into each cup she added a little honey she had found hidden under a cover in a clay vessel. This tea reminded her of home. She dreamed that when she drank it, she would suddenly find herself in her mother’s arms. Never before had she missed her so deeply.

Meanwhile, quite unexpectedly, the owners of the large farm on the northern side of the mountain appeared in the doorway. Miriam and Joseph did not even realize at first who they were, having only briefly glimpsed the face of the unwelcoming farm owner earlier. When the man’s wife learned of her husband’s lack of hospitality, she was deeply troubled by his behaviour.

That very evening, she had run alone to the shepherds’ shed, but she did not dare show herself before such a beautiful and dignified Lady. She lingered nearby, listening, peering through the cracks in the walls, and then returned home heavy-hearted. Her thoughts weighed on her so much that she forgot her fear of darkness and wild animals in the valley. She ran back and forth faster than in two hours, lighting her way with a small olive lamp—thankfully, there was enough oil.

At dawn, the shepherds who came to water their sheep at the well spoke with admiration about Miriam’s gentleness and Joseph’s piety. Gathering all her courage, the woman set out in the morning with her family and went to the shed. Together with her husband, she apologized sincerely to Miriam and Joseph for his behaviour, regretting from the bottom of their hearts what had happened. Deeply moved, the woman now politely invited them to her home.

Miriam drew close the two children the hosts had brought with them and spoke to them about the Saviour of the world who was soon to be born, the One awaited by all Israel. Gabi and Marcel listened attentively as well:

"In a small cottage at the edge of the forest lived a family. Each morning, they welcomed the day with gratitude and without haste. One day, beneath an olive tree, the children noticed a small bird with a broken wing. They wanted to take it home, but their mother quickly stopped them. She paused for a moment, then smiled and said gently:

“Do not take the little bird away from its mother, for she knows best how to care for it. Sometimes the kindest help is simply offering food, water, or preparing a safe place nearby. What we do out of love truly matters the most.”

And so the children cared for the bird but left it close to the nest. They fed it for some time, watching as its mother circled above, calling out with soft, sorrowful cries. They also saw how she brought tiny flies and insects to her little one. One day, they watched as the small bird rose into the air. They rejoiced greatly.

“In every act of love,” Miriam continued, “if it is to be wise and effective, first ask God for light - even in a brief, silent turning of the heart toward Him. Then He will fill your minds with His wisdom, and your actions will transform both your hearts and the hearts of those to whom you show kindness.”

The children stood with mouths open in wonder, moved by the wisdom of the beautiful Lady’s words. Then all four of them ran together toward the nearby trees. Were they searching for birds in need of help?

By midday, after warm words and kind farewells, Miriam and Joseph set out again. It was a shorter day of travel. They went to the inn that had been pointed out to them, hoping for a more comfortable rest after the mountain journey.

Unfortunately, all the rooms were already taken by travellers. Moved by the sight of Miriam, the innkeepers prepared a place for them in a nearby shed and welcomed them warmly. Fruit orchards and olive groves, vegetable gardens, and several other houses surrounded by balsam trees stretched around the inn.

The four of them stayed in that shed by the inn for the night and the following day as well, for it happened to be the Sabbath—the holy day of rest.

The journey continues, unfolding step by step in trust, humility, and quiet wonder. Thus goes Advent’s Way to the House of Bread, leading hearts ever closer to Bethlehem and the mystery prepared by God.

Chapter 13 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: A Sabbath Day on the Road – Morning with Joseph

The Psalms have accompanied people for centuries on journeys, escapes, returns, and nights spent “on the outskirts.” They were the prayers of pilgrims, families, exiles, and those who had no temple—only the road.

Prayer on the road with the Psalms means allowing God’s Word to go with us, exactly to the places where we are.

Today, repeat with kids from Psalm 84,4:

“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.”