Joseph And The Old Man

“I appreciate your kind concern,” said Joseph. “But I think there is something to this. The dream was very real and very specific. And on top of that, other family members have reported visions and dreams as well.”

“Ah, but that only proves that there is some great evil at work here,” said the man. “There is much deception. These are not good days. People don’t know the danger of it all. They think that God will send some kind of Messiah. Every little thing is a sign. They want it too much and like you, are willing to let their imaginations run wild.

“Can it really be that a Messiah will come? Do you really think that God cares that much? The prophets who talked of such have been gone for hundreds of years – and nothing has happened – except trouble – more trouble. Now the Romans are tightening the noose around the neck of the Jews. Why do you think everyone has been summoned to return to their family towns for a census? They’re getting ready to slaughter the whole lot of us. They want a census so they can track their progress.

“Come with me! We’ll escape this tyranny and the deception of your wife, as well.”

At that moment one of the midwives poked her head out past the stable door and cried out, “Joseph, you have a son! Mozeltof!”

Joseph turned to leave the conspiracy theorist so he could attend to his wife.

“Don’t go! He’s not your son!” the old man reached and grabbed on to Joseph’s sleeve. “You’ll regret it if you go into that barn. Your life will never be the same. This son is nothing but trouble I tell you.”

Joseph pulled away from the man. But he wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted to go into the barn or if he wanted to follow the man rather than be led by his tug. It was a scarey eternal pause – a moment of decision – a moment interrupted by the sound of an approaching small crowd – an excited and loud group of shepherds – singing and talking – unconcerned that the town was asleep. “Angels! We’ve seen angels!” they blurted out at the tops of their lungs – before they even conveyed the customary greeting of peace.

“They said we should look for a baby” said one, as another was saying something about “glory to God – peace on earth.”

The old man, disgusted by the whole display, groaned - “Ahhh – It’s too late.”

The shepherds followed Joseph as he hurried to lead them through the barn door – but as he entered he turned back to see if the old man was going to come share his joy, too. But he was gone. Vanished into the dark. And in that moment as Joseph turned his gaze from the place where the man had been, his eye caught a snake slithering up the big old tree.