Chapter 18 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Journey Through Judea

And so, Marcel and Gabi continue their adventure on Advent’s Way to the House of Bread, discovering the beauty of nature, the wisdom of psalms, and the gentle guidance of Joseph.

Journey Through Judea - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

Early in the morning, before the sun rose, they set out on their journey. They had about ten hours of travel left to Jerusalem.

They walked through the hilly terrain of Judea, where bare fig trees and scattered olive trees appeared here and there.

When they reached the edge of the plain, a gazelle leapt out in front of them—slender, agile, with a delicate muzzle. It stopped, watching them from a distance.

"How fast!" Marcel exclaimed in admiration. He ran after it, wanting to touch it, making quite a commotion in the process. Gabi ran after him, and they played a game of tag for a while.

"It’s as fast as the deer that run around my grandmother’s house in Poland," Gabi laughed.

"A gazelle is a symbol of freedom," said Joseph. "Our prophets mentioned the gazelle as a symbol of agility and beauty. Nothing threatens it here. This land is its home."

And the gazelle had long since disappeared among the hills.

As they walked along the slopes, Gabi suddenly noticed natural caves in the rock—small recesses in the stone. Marcel ran closer, examining the dark entrances, while Gabi whispered, " I wonder who lives there?"

Joseph smiled and gestured with his hand, "Some shepherds spend the night in such caves when the journey is long and far from villages. They protect them from wind and cold, and in summer provide a pleasant shade. The Lord always watches over those who walk in His ways."

The children exchanged mischievous glances, ready for some fun. For a moment, they imagined life in a rocky hideout. It lasted only a moment… just a moment… They quickly shook off the thought, for more than one day would have been too much.

Joseph surprised them during a short rest on the journey. Instead of sitting in the shade of olive trees, he led them to an empty cave, its entrance hidden behind hawthorn bushes.

Marcel quickly filled a waterskin from a nearby spring and carried the heavy load into the cave himself. They washed their hands and feet in small bowls, as always. This ritual had become natural to the children. They ate bread and dried fruits, sipped honeyed water, and sang Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd…

Refreshed, they continued on their way.

After an hour of walking, they came across old stone foundations, fragments of ancient walls scattered on the ground. Marcel picked up a small stone and tried to fit it against a larger wall fragment, pretending to rebuild an old house.

"Someone must have lived here once… " he said solemnly.

Joseph nodded, "Yes, the land remembers all who worked it, cultivated the fields, and cared for their families. These stones tell the stories of the people who lived here."

Gabi had to touch a cold stone too, trying to imagine children running around these old settlements, but in her mind, nothing else appeared beyond her present experiences.

In the evening, they reached the next house for the night. When the young host, who did not really want to welcome them, lit Miriam’s face with a lamp, he began joking with Joseph about having such a young and beautiful wife. Nobody reacted, as if no words had been spoken.

In those times, women usually married very young, often between 14 and 18, to begin family life quickly. Men were older, typically 25–35 years old, mature and ready to take responsibility for the household and family.

Fortunately, his own wife appeared and, apologizing to the travellers for her husband’s foolish jokes, led them to the adjoining house. She brought large, warm barley flatbreads, honeyed water, and water for washing.

They had decent conditions to rest, and this time slept on wooden beds.

In the quiet of late evening, when the rest of Gabi had fallen asleep beside Miriam, Marcel sat next to Joseph, gazing at his face illuminated by the flickering light of the olive lamp.

Joseph whispered his prayers, praising God for His goodness and care. Marcel listened as if to an audiobook and finally could not hold back:

"Joseph…" he began uncertainly, "How do you know so many psalms and prophecies by heart? You recite them as if reading from a scroll."

Joseph smiled kindly, " The Word of the Lord is like breath, my son. Something you carry in your heart, not in your hand. When you walk in His way for a long time, His voice becomes your light."

After a moment, he added more seriously, "Do you remember what we heard today?" and began reciting:

"I am the Lord your God, teaching you what is beneficial, guiding you along the way you should go…"

Marcel nodded, "Guiding… like how? Like someone leading camels with a rope?"

Joseph chuckled quietly, "Sometimes the Lord pulls us strongly, especially when we do not know where to go. But more often, He guides like a good father—with a word, with peace, with a quiet thought in your heart."

Marcel lowered his gaze, " Ah… those jokes from the host about you and Miriam… I barely held back from saying something from my own world. His behaviour made me a bit angry."

"I understand, "Joseph replied gently. "Foolish words can hurt. But that is why the Lord says:

“If you heed My commandments, your peace will be like a river.”

"You see, my son… – …when a person guards their tongue, their words bring peace, not confusion. Foolish jokes are like stones thrown onto the road—someone might stumble."

Marcel looked up, "And you weren’t angry?"

Joseph shook his head, "Why? If the Lord is guiding you on the road, you don’t have to respond to every provocation. It is enough to know who you are in His eyes. Remember that, and no classmate, no teacher… not even your sister… – Joseph fell silent, thoughtful.

The boy remained quiet for a moment, staring at the flame of the lamp.– I wish I could be like you… know the Word so well and not let foolish things carry me away.

Joseph laid his hand on his shoulder, "You will learn, my son. We walk this path together. And the Lord, as He promised, will teach you what is beneficial."

And Joseph once again slowly recited a passage from Isaiah 48:17, so that every word sank deeply into the boy’s heart:

"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, teaching you what is beneficial, guiding you along the way you should go. If you heeded My commandments, your peace would be like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would be like the sand, and like its grains your offspring. Your name would never be removed or erased from before My face!"

Józef looked long into the darkness, as if he saw more than just the road ahead. Miriam remained in silence or slept with Gabi at her side. Marcel, thoughtful yet safe, fell asleep beside Joseph. He must have been dreaming something pleasant, because he laughed in his sleep just before Joseph finished his prayer. Thus ended that day of the journey through Judea.

In the morning, they were to set out further south, where cities, valleys, and people awaited them - and events that would be remembered forever: the Advent’s Way to the House of Bread. The road they would take in the next chapter.