Chapter 24 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: The Miracle of the Night in the Bethlehem Grotto

The Miracle of the Night in the Bethlehem Grotto – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

It was a quiet, starry winter night. No dogs barked, and no nocturnal animals or birds could be heard. Silence. Exceptional silence. Judea was deep in sleep and cold. Everyone had found shelter somewhere. And we return to the grotto with the “door” covered by some cloth, over which Joseph had even thrown his cloak. He tended a gently smoldering fire, adding small branches from time to time to warm his chilled hands and feet. He sat on a stool to the left of the entrance, with his back to Miriam, immersed in prayer. Of course, he worried about Miriam. He felt deep sorrow and sadness that in such conditions his Betrothed had to spend the night in Bethlehem – the House of Bread!

Gabi and Marcel, near Joseph, slept soundly on a thick layer of hay that had dried naturally. Joseph had covered them with a woolen blanket. The ox and donkey, sitting nearby but keeping some distance from the children and Joseph, warmed the air with their bodies and breath. Joseph drifted into a nap, more exhausted by the events in Bethlehem than by physical fatigue. The fire, the only source of light in the grotto—not even a proper stable—also dimmed. Outside, the stars and the rising moon shone more boldly, peeking inside. What did Joseph see when its rays fell on Miriam?

Miriam had already risen from her resting place. With a gentle smile, she looked at the sleepers. She sat on the hay, then knelt. She stretched her arms forward, as if offering something. Then she bent in a deep bow and prayed for a long time. Joseph lifted his head and turned toward her.

"Do you need anything, Miriam? Are you cold? Can’t you sleep?" –

"No, Joseph. Everything is fine. I’m praying." –

"Aren’t you tired? Maybe try to sleep." –

"No, Joseph. Prayer doesn’t tire Me. Don’t worry, rest." –

Joseph knelt by the fire, covered his face with his hands, and bowed, also immersing himself in prayer.

What other thoughts can come to mind when the Divine Light surrounds the Most Beautiful of the beautiful? God’s mysteries are unfathomable. This is the time of the greatest miracle! The time of God being born as man! Could this be an ordinary, average birth like any other? Who would dare question the miracle and greatness of this night, of Miriam – the Mother of God-Man? Who?

Only the angels accompanied Miriam and witnessed the event. Even Joseph did not see that moment. She was not an ordinary village girl from Nazareth! Whoever claims otherwise – lies!

This is the Immaculate Conception – the name she revealed centuries later – which gave earthly life to Jesus, who was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and miraculously came into the world through a woman, a Mother, free from original sin – like Eve in paradise.

It was no longer the moonlight that illuminated her figure! The Divine Light radiated from her all around.

Time stopped. And the stars and moon sighed in awe at the brilliance of the Miracle that had come to earth. It had come for everyone, for me and for you, for Gabi and Marcel… for all!

Who will welcome Him?

The extraordinary light awakened the animals and Joseph, who did not know what to do, how to show respect, how to greet his Creator as a human being.

"Come closer to Us, Joseph – Miriam invited. But Joseph was too moved to take a step toward her. Her majesty spread throughout the room with power and a gentle smile. Trembling, he slowly approached Miriam and the Child. They prayed together, offering Jesus to God the Father."

"Here I am, to do Your will… “A holy day has dawned for us, nations, come and worship the Lord, for a great light has descended upon the earth.” – Miriam intoned.

"Lord, here I am – I want to fulfill Your will. May every path I take, every step I make, be out of love for You and for Your glory. Lead me as You guided David and the prophets, so that my heart is always with You. – Joseph continued.

Then Miriam handed him the Child.

"Me? … Am I…? I am not worthy… – in all humility and righteousness, Joseph struggled with human emotions. Finally, he obeyed Miriam and held Him to his heart, bursting into tears. He kissed His little feet, and Miriam took diapers from her chest and wrapped her Son.

At that moment, Gabi sat up on her hay bed and rubbed her eyes. She froze in amazement. She could see the entire transformation of the grotto in this extraordinary light. She didn’t know how to react. On one hand, she wanted to run to the holy couple; on the other, she was overwhelmed. She began to shake Marcel’s hand to wake him. They both knelt almost automatically and bowed deeply before the Child. From this ecstatic awe and reverence, Miriam’s gentle voice called them closer as she placed the Child in the manger, covered with a cloth warmed by the fire.

"Come closer, and meet your Savior. –

But the little One began to cry, so Miriam took Him back into her arms, holding Him close under her veil. The children timidly approached her. Gabi, the little woman she was, longed to hold the Baby on her lap and cradle Him but did not dare speak. Miriam asked:

"Do you want to touch Him?"

Gabi nodded without taking her eyes off Him.

"Stroke Him gently and kiss Him," – she allowed.

Gabi leaned over and, like Joseph, kissed His little foot. Then she gently stroked His tiny hand. Marcel watched carefully from a slight distance. When Miriam nodded to him, he quickly moved beside her and did exactly as Gabi did. He smiled from ear to ear, pleased with his own tenderness.

"Do you want to help Joseph prepare the bed for Jesus?"

The children exchanged glances. The words of the carol came back to them: “There was no room for You in Bethlehem, in a stable, in poverty and cold. There was no place, though You came as Savior…” Quietly, they approached Joseph, carrying bundles of hay from the manger, warming them by the fire, and placing them under another blanket to keep the Child warm. When all the hay was arranged, Miriam, watching them from time to time, said:

"Joseph, take My cloak and spread it on top so it’s soft." –

"But Miriam, won’t you be cold? I’ll cover you with mine. Please allow me." –

He took Miriam’s soft, warm blue wool cloak and laid it in the manger to later cover the Child with it. Gabi knelt by this unusual little bed, so different from any she had seen, and leaned tenderly over the Baby, softly humming lullabies her mother used to sing. Marcel knelt on the other side, lost in deep thought.

Miriam looked at Joseph meaningfully and blessed all the children of the world with her prayer… the Mother of Jesus… our Mother… always remembers, always cares…

Today is Christmas Eve, if you have walked this path each day since the first day of Advent. I hope you will remain forever nestled close to the Holy Family. How? In reflection, in memory, in prayer, in relationship… each day, in small steps.

When the Lord is my Shepherd — I shall lack nothing.

[Ki Adonai ro‘i — lo echsar]

Look around — the family gathered at the table — beautiful, festive, just like in Psalm 23. God has taken care of everything:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

So today we will sing Christmas carols — those from childhood and the new ones — let the children and grandchildren learn them, let them remember. This is a beautiful tradition: to praise God together through song — Abba — our loving Father.

“There was no place for You in Bethlehem, in any inn.And You were born, Jesus, in a stable, in poverty and cold.There was no place for You, even though You came down to earth as the Savior…”

The Advent’s Way to the House of Bread has come to an end. See you again next Advent.

Chapter 25 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Returning Home 

References:

*Revelation 21:18–21

**1 Peter 2:5