Chapter 8 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Meeting the Extraordinary Family

Meeting the Extraordinary Family - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

At that moment, during the morning preparations, Noemi, Gabi, and Marcel stood before the low doors of the holy family’s home. Noemi shyly raised her hand and knocked on the wooden frame, as was customary in Galilee - shortly and rhythmically, three times, so as not to startle the household.

(Some knocked on the threshold, others on a side beam - always where the sound would be clear. Sometimes they added a quiet call of their name, showing respect and making sure the person inside knew who had come.)

On the doorstep, to her surprise and delight, Anna appeared. She had flour on her hands from finishing bread dough that had risen overnight. Seeing the guests, she quickly wiped her hands on her apron and spread her arms wide in welcome. Noemi, a distant relative from the family of Joahim, had a thread of friendship with her, though they rarely met. Noemi introduced the children and entrusted them to Anna’s care.

When they heard her name, the children relaxed a little.

“Our grandmother’s name is also Anna!” Gabi proudly whispered.

Anna resembled her grandmother so much that Gabi wasn’t sure if this strange dream-reality was still happening, or if their mother would soon appear from the house.

“Come, please, sit on the terrace. I’ll bring a snack shortly.” The children fidgeted, convinced that their mother would soon bring a tray with water and breakfast.

Meanwhile, a man emerged, probably from the workshop, wearing a work apron and carrying a long wooden object. Spotting the guests, he set it down and walked toward them. The sun glinted off his face, and Gabi was sure - it was their father. He looked a bit unusual, with a wood chip stuck to his beard, and the serious workshop attire made him appear more solemn than usual, but he was still their father.

“Daddy! Tttaaatttaaa!” they shouted, running with arms outstretched in joy.

The astonished, yet smiling man crouched to embrace them. The children froze in place. Gabi blushed, and Marcel stumbled into her - but Joseph caught them, preventing them from hitting the hard ground.

Both, overwhelmed and shy, got up, eyes full of tears, unsure what to think or say. Joseph extended his hand:

“I am Joseph, son of Jacob.”

Marcel, summoning all his courage, grasped the offered hand.

“I am Marcel, son of George,” he said, looking into Joseph’s eyes.

Encouraged, Gabi stepped forward, nudging her brother aside:

“I am Gabi, daughter of George. The same dad… and why do you look like Daddy?!”

Tears ran down her cheeks. Joseph moved, embraced her, stroked her head, and said:

“For the next few days, I will be like a father to you and your brother. Do not be afraid. I have a wonderful surprise for you. Trust me. Everything will be fine.”

Whether his words fully reassured them, the children weren’t sure. Only the familiar resemblance and the warmth radiating from him, like a father’s love, quieted further questions.

“What surprise?” Marcel wondered, head lowered, saying nothing.

Then Gabi moved forward again. From the back of the garden, among the laurel bushes, emerged a figure resembling their mother. She carried a basket covered with a white linen cloth and stepped onto the path leading to the terrace. The woman wore a sky-blue linen dress reaching the ground, her head veiled in delicate white. Gabi could see her face - it was the most beautiful face in the world, the face of their mother.

Marcel, still confused, stayed near Joseph.

After a moment, Gabi asked shyly, “Do you know where my mother is? You’re not her, are you?”

The woman placed the basket on the ground and smiled gently. Gabi noticed she was expecting a child herself, realizing she was not their mother, but had been miraculously restored young in this wondrous moment.

“Today, and for the near future, I will be your mother. Later, the choice will be yours. As Joseph said, the most beautiful surprise awaits you. You must trust us and obey. Now, rest a little after your journey, and we will eat breakfast together. It’s a beautiful day, but much work awaits us." Then, she introduced herself,

"I am Miriam, the wife of Joseph."

"This is my mother, Anna, and Miriam, also called Mary - the wife of Cleophas, Joseph’s brother, who also lives in Nazareth,” she added, as the latter appeared beside Anna, unnoticed by the children, carrying a basket of dark grapes.

Miriam kissed Gabi on the forehead, took her hand, and approached Marcel, leaving a kiss on his forehead too. The children were so overwhelmed by the meeting that they barely touched the meal and fell asleep on cushions laid on woollen mats beneath the spreading olive tree.

The sun danced warmly on their faces in this peaceful place. Sleep was the best remedy for their aching hearts, especially after waking before dawn.

What happens next? Advent’s Way to the House of Bread reveals it in the following chapter 9.

Chapter 9 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Setting Out from Nazareth to Bethlehem

For centuries, the Psalms have accompanied people in their journeys, escapes, returns, and nights spent “on the margins.” They were the prayers of pilgrims, families, exiles, and of those who had no temple - only the road.

Praying the Psalms on the way means allowing the Word of God to walk with us, exactly where we are.

Today, repeat these words from Psalm 46:

“God is our refuge and our strength,an ever-present help in trouble…God will help us at the break of dawn…The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”