Chapter 14 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Sabbath Day on the Road – Morning with Miriam

Sabbath Day on the Road – Morning with Miriam - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

When the sun stood high in the sky, everyone shared a simple meal: bread, olives, dried fruits, and a little honey. The children were surprised at how time seemed to flow differently in such calm—almost as if it had slowed down, as if the day had grown longer and brighter.

At noon, unexpectedly—since they had no phones to give notice—the hostess from the farm on the hill arrived with her two children. She was joined by the current innkeeper’s wife, accompanied by her three children, and together they visited Miriam and Joseph in the barn. They brought baskets of fruit and raisin cakes.

The children took turns reading psalms from small parchment scrolls, while their mothers, moved and proud, could not take their eyes off the sight. The scrolls were thin and delicate, and each letter was carefully written.

At the time of the Nativity, books as we know them today did not exist - people mainly used parchments or, more rarely, papyrus. Parchments were rolled scrolls made from animal skins, on which prayers, psalms, and important religious texts were written. Papyrus was rarer, imported, and less durable. Clay tablets were mainly used for learning letters and writing short notes. The form of the modern book - a codex with many pages - would appear only several centuries later.

Miriam explained to Marcel and Gabi:

• “Every letter has meaning and power, and repeating the words of prayer helps strengthen memory and teaches respect for God.”

The Hebrew children showed Marcel and Gabi what their alphabet looked like. Miriam pointed to the letters on the parchment. Some resembled simple strokes, others loops and angles:

• “We write the letters from right to left, and each of them has not only a sound value but also its own symbolism. For example, the letter ‘Alef,’ the first one, represents God, the beginning of everything, while the letter ‘Bet’ signifies home and family.”

Marcel took out his notebook with sketches and notes.

• “These are my own ‘signs’ that I invented to remember the travel route and mark important places. And this is what our alphabet looks like,” he explained enthusiastically. Marcel loved calligraphy and was very good at this “craft.”

  
  

  His grandmother in Poland often wondered if it was handwriting or printing. So he eagerly tried to copy the Hebrew letters into his notebook, while Gabi enthusiastically drew colourful illustrations. This way, they created their own “children’s travel books.”

  
  

The Hebrew children admired Marcel’s signs—the words he wrote—as he quickly realized that his own drawings and notes could tell stories just as well as words on parchment.

Gabi presented her colourful drawings and crayons, which amazed and delighted the other children. In this way, learning, play, and creativity blended into one day, and the children discovered the joy of exploring the world of other cultures and customs. There was no time for boredom.

But the Sabbath wasn’t over yet. Perhaps now you could try drawing, using your own signs, the way from your home to school or church, or to a friend’s house. Do you say it’s far and your parents drive you by car? That’s fine. Draw it anyway. Practice some kind of “craft.”

This, too is part of Advent’s Way to the House of Bread. And now, as the sun moves slowly across the sky, follow us into the next part of the day… Who knows what small wonders, hidden paths, or quiet surprises await Miriam, Józef, and the children just around the corner? Let your imagination walk with them, and see what comes next."

Chapter 15 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Sabbath Day on the Road – Miriam’s Teachings

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.

Psalm 92 has been recited on the Sabbath for centuries. It teaches gratitude, brings comfort, and invites joyful communion with God.

“For it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”