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

Sabbath Afternoon Play on the Road - Advent’s Way to the House of Bread

The boys had brought with them a leather ball stuffed with bran, like the ones used for simple games in those times, and they tossed it to each other, laughing loudly.

The oldest boy had a handmade sling with him, and the boys took turns pretending to be David fighting Goliath. Their “Goliath” was an old, sprawling tree growing on the edge of the path, with an uneven trunk that resembled a human figure.

As the children rolled the leather ball back and forth, Marcel tried a dramatic leap to catch it—but instead of catching the ball, he landed right in a soft pile of hay. Gabi couldn’t stop laughing and teased him gently: “Marcel, are you practicing to be a sheep too?”

Not to be outdone, Marcel bounced up with a grin and declared, “Then you must be the shepherd, Gabi!” The children giggled at his attempt to turn the game into a little performance, and even Miriam had to hide a smile behind her hand.

After that, they tried a new game: running in a circle and pretending the ball was a little sun that could set if it touched the ground. They shrieked and tumbled over each other, falling in a heap, all laughter and dust. Even Miriam, watching from the shade, shook her head with a fond smile. “Perhaps the Sabbath is meant for games like these,” she thought.

Meanwhile, the girls collected small winter flowers—tiny, yet hardy against the cold—and eagerly showed Gabi how to weave wreaths from the soft stems. White heads of desert chamomile and a few bluish chicory flowers, which had managed to bloom near the stones despite the chill, also found their way into Gabi’s collection of dried plants in her book.

It was hard for everyone to part ways, but the Sabbath afternoon was meant for rest and prayer. The children understood the significance of the moment: they knew that the Sabbath was not only a break from daily work but also a reminder that God first blessed time itself and gave humans the gift of pause.

In the evening, they prayed with psalms. Joseph intoned a soft, drawn-out melody. Gabi listened so intently that she didn’t notice when she leaned her head on Miriam’s shoulder. Marcel sat still, absorbing the words of the prayer, which sounded like a song, yet older than any song he had ever known.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. Like morning sun that lights the sky, His mercies are known, they never die. Each breath we take, a gift so pure. His love and grace forever sure... Bless the Lord, my soul and forget not all His benefits... with every breath, with every song, I praise His name my whole life long."

“Remember,” Miriam said as dusk fell, “we are never alone. God walks with us… even on long and difficult journeys.”

For the children, this was a completely new way of celebrating—a quiet, calm time, full of warmth and safety, a different path on Advent’s way to the House of Bread.

Chapter 17 – Advent’s Way to the House of Bread: Journey Through Samaria

Psalm 92 has been recited on the Sabbath for centuries. It teaches gratitude, brings comfort, and invites joyful communion with God.

“For it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”