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

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

The hostess’s children could write their names and simple words on parchment, using a small reed or wooden stylus dipped in ink made from soot and oil, which they had brought along with pieces of blank parchment.

Each letter required care, and writing was slow and deliberate. This helped the children learn the alphabet and remember the meaning of words. Their names and first attempts at writing became real, personal “documents” and exercises in patience and focus.

From these efforts, not only were the children’s fingers blackened, but their faces were dotted with little black specks like ladybugs. No one minded; the game of school with Miriam continued joyfully.

Marcel carefully traced the indicated letters, mainly with his pencil. Miriam showed him how to write his name and a few simple words:

• שָׁלוֹם – “Peace”

• בַּיִת – “House”

• מַרְסֵל – “Marcel”

The letters were written from right to left. Each one was like a small puzzle for Marcel, and repeating them made him feel he was learning something truly special.

Gabi, on the other hand, decided to write her own name:

• גַּבִּי – “Gabi”

  
  

She did quite well, colouring each letter with a different crayon. The hostess’s children watched with admiration and helped Gabi by adjusting her hand position so that each letter could take the correct shape. Marcel managed on his own—after all, he was the older brother and went to school.

“See,” Miriam explained with gentle authority that touched the heart of their motivation, “letters are not just signs for reading. They are little stories and words you can hold in your memory and in your heart. Just as you read prayers from parchment, your own written words can tell stories about your life and adventures.”

Gabi and Marcel smiled at each other. This combination of learning, play, and imagination made the day full of discoveries. The children could feel that the world of ancient Galilee was closer and more alive than they could ever imagine.

Later, the women listened to Miriam’s teachings about what it means to be a wife and mother. She explained simply that it involved patience, kindness, diligence, and care for the family—values that have always been essential in everyday life.

The host invited Joseph to walk the fields with him, explaining what grew where: wheat, barley, olives, and grapes. He described sowing, watering, harvesting, and storing the crops. Joseph watched everything with a protective gaze, silently blessing the work of the people and the children.

Through these conversations, Marcel could understand that life in the village requires patience, planning, and care for every piece of land, and that everyone has responsibilities they must honour.

Through diligent work and obedience, the children built their character. And this has not changed over the centuries. This, too, is the Advent’s Way to the House of Bread.

Chapter 16 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Sabbath Afternoon Play on the Road

For centuries, Psalm 92 has been prayed on the Sabbath. It teaches gratitude, brings comfort, and invites us into joyful communion with God.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lordand to sing praise to Your name, O Most High,to proclaim Your steadfast love in the morningand Your faithfulness by night.”