24 Chisleu
December 8th
I feel that my time is drawing nigh, and I am anxious. It is
frightening to think of having my baby without my mother, or
a midwife, nearby. I am worried about the baby. What will happen if
He comes before we can move on to a better dwelling? This cave is not
clean enough!
Two of the wayfarers, a middle-aged couple, were cooperative and helped us out, but some of the others growled that they were here first, and were not at all inclined to be agreeable under such chilly weather conditions.
I fear they have been indulging too long in the wine that is red.
Oh, surely, surely Adonai, hallowed be His Name, will be with me during this difficult time. My every breath is a prayer that Adonai will
protect His own Beloved Son —and me.
By the dejected slope of, Yosef’s shoulders, I can sense that he feels
that he has somehow failed me— and us. I must stop writing, now, and tell
him how warm and inviting it all looks by the light of the lamp. Surely
these stabbing pains will ease off now that I have a place to rest. It seems
too soon for the little one to make His appearance.
