Chapter 7 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: A Winter Evening with Miriam and Joseph

A Winter Evening with Miriam and Joseph - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

The little house in Nazareth and the land around it had once belonged to Anna’s family— Anna being Miriam’s mother. She had given it to her daughter as a wedding gift. Her husband, Joseph, owned no property of his own, apart from a beautiful and rich character and the skills of his craft. As long as Anna lived, she often supported the young couple and helped them in every way she could.

That day, Joseph had not yet returned home. He was coming back from Jerusalem. There, he had learned that the emperor had ordered a census. This was not good news for Joseph and his wife for the winter season. They would have to set out as soon as possible on a long and difficult journey to Bethlehem, the city of the tribe of David, to which they both belonged. Miriam was with child, and the time of her delivery was near!

Lost in thought, Joseph made his way home. He wondered how to tell Miriam the news without worrying her.

When he stopped for a moment to rest, an angel appeared to him and explained in detail how to prepare for the journey and what to take along. Strengthened by the angel’s instructions and by the awareness of his help, Joseph grew calm. He was not worried about himself, but about his wife and the child she carried under her heart.

When he reached home in the late afternoon, he was greeted by his wife Miriam and her mother Anna, who had come with a servant to help bake bread. After greetings and a brief exchange about the journey, Joseph told the women the news from the capital and what he had heard from the angel.

“Do not worry, Joseph,” Miriam said calmly, comforting her husband with a warm smile. She did not say aloud that she already knew this in her heart. Even in the Temple she had read the prophecies concerning the Messiah and knew them well. She pondered everything she heard from Yahweh, the Almighty. She surrendered peacefully and joyfully to His will. She knew that everything she needed was within her—in her heart, not outside. She trusted God as no one else in the world could.

“Sit down, Joseph, and eat your supper first. ”Joseph took off his cloak and hood and, as was customary, washed his hands before sitting on the stool by the table. Meanwhile, Miriam brought fragrant bread, cheese, olives, and milk. When they blessed the meal:

[Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.]

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”

Joseph sat at the table and gladly ate what Miriam had brought him. She then went once more into the small kitchen and returned with a rosy apple. Joseph accepted it with gratitude, and when he finished, he thanked his wife and God:

[Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-zan et ha-olam be-lechem.]

“Blessed are You, Lord, God of the world, who nourishes us with bread and the gifts of the earth.”

The blessings were woven into their lives as naturally as breathing. Miriam also thanked her husband for his help. This extraordinary mutual respect flowed from hearts filled with love for God and for one another. It could not be separated, and that is why it was such a great strength.

Joseph helped his wife tidy up after supper, and together they sat at the table talking about what had happened recently. Miriam took out her handiwork and embroidered a beautiful pattern, while Joseph gazed at her with a love more intense than the way we look at a screen showing an interesting film.

Later, they ended the day with prayer:

[Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu lishmor et hanefesh v’la’anachot beshalom.]

“Blessed are You, Lord, God of the world, who sanctifies us through His commandments and commands us to care for the soul and to rest in peace.”

They went to rest, each to their own room.

At dawn, after the prayer of thanksgiving and praise, Joseph quietly, so as not to wake his wife, went to the workshop. Before the journey to Bethlehem, he wanted to finish a plow he had been making for a farmer from a neighbouring village. Miriam was not asleep either. She prayed quietly.

Then she packed items into the chest Joseph had prepared earlier. This beautiful chest Joseph made with care as a lovely gift for his wife.

Anna, together with the servant, bustled about in the garden. They gathered green sprigs of thyme, mint, parsley, coriander, and dill. They had grown so beautifully that year, so they planned to mix them with lettuce drizzled with olive oil - of course, in proper proportions. They crumbled in goat cheese and added olives from brine. Breakfast was almost ready.

Advent’s Way to the House of Bread – want to know if this is the end of their adventure?

Maybe you would like to beautifully write down the blessing prayers, so you can remember them when you eat breakfast, lunch at school, or dinner with your family?

If you copy them down and make your own cards, take a photo and send it to me as your gift to me.

Or perhaps you would like to tell others about your meeting with Miriam and Joseph?

Blessings & hugs from me.