Mary held her blue mantle away from her face as she removed the bread  from the stone oven.  Then she stirred the lamb stew cooking slowly over the stone fireplace.

Mariam, her daughter, was busy setting the table with wooden bowls and spoons.  She set out bowls of olives, grapes and polished oranges. 

“But, Mother____”

“The answer is no, Mariam.  You’re only sixteen.  Much too young to tramp around Israel with a bunch of strangers.”

“But they wouldn’t be strangers long”, Mariam pleaded.

“We’ll leave it up to your father.”

The family was well-to-do for the times.  Beautifully made wooden furniture was in place and polished.

There was a proper stable for the beasts instead of having them in the house at night.  Not every one in Bethlehem was so fortunate.

Joseph and his two sons had a thriving carpentry business.  Most local businesses came their way.

“Ring the dinner bell, please Mariam”, Mary requested.

The men came to the door, shook wood shavings from their robes and washed their faces and hands.  Each touched the Mezuzah on the door frame as they came in.

“I must leave in the morning”, the oldest son, Jesus, announced.  “It is time to begin my work.”

After a long silence, Joseph said,”Well, we have known this was coming.  You have my blessing.”

James, the second boy, announced,”I’d like to go with him, Poppa.”

“If you are called, so be it”, Joseph replied.

Mariam took a deep breath,”I  want to go as well, Poppa.” She shot a glance at her mother.

“And what would you do on the road meeting stranger after stranger?”

“I can be sure Jesus eats and mend his robes and sandals.  You know he pays no attention to those things,” Mariam replied.

“Do you feel called, daughter?”

“Yes, Poppa, I do”

“Then those that are called must answer.  You may go.”

Mary wiped a tear with her mantle. “What will you do without James in the shop?” Mary asked Joseph.

“I’ll find a likely lad from the village.  Do not worry.  The matter is settled.  Eat!  Eat!”

So It was.  In the gold and pink of early morning, the next day, the three walked into the future.  Only Jesus knew what they would find.