Rebekah's Gift

Rebekah watched with wonder as many people streamed past her home. She knew none of them, for they had all come from different lands to pay their taxes. Rebekah’s father owned an inn in the heart of Bethlehem of Judea. With all the taxpayers needing boarding, the inn was completely full. Thirteen-year-old Rebekah and her ten-year-old sister, Salome, were kept busy all of the time. They didn’t mind, for there was not much else to do. They enjoyed helping their parents.

All day, Rebekah had watched the people coming into Bethlehem (except, of course, when her mother called her away from the window to do a job.) Never before had Rebekah seen so many people. Out of the corner of her eye, Rebekah noticed a man leading a donkey on which a woman sat. They looked very tired. Rebekah saw them approaching her inn. She crept downstairs as she heard the knock at the door.

“I’m sorry. There is no room,” Rebekah’s father was saying.

“Please, sir,” the man pleaded. “My wife is with child and her time is near. We need a room.”

“I’m terribly sorry. We have no rooms left.” He shut the door quickly

“Father!” Rebekah cried out. “You turned them away?!”

“Yes, Rebekah. You know that we have no rooms open. I had no choice,” he replied.

“I can’t believe you, Father! Turning them out! That woman is with child. If I were in her condition, would you like someone turning me out?” Rebekah asked.

“No, little one, I wouldn’t,” her father replied, lowering his head.

“You must get them back! We will make room. She may have my bed,” Rebekah said, throwing open the door.

“No one will be sleeping in your bed but you, Rebekah,” her mother called from the next room. Nevertheless, Rebekah ran out into the street. Down a way, at another inn, she spotted them. The man was talking to the innkeeper. As Rebekah hurried over to them, the innkeeper led the couple behind the inn. Rebekah followed at a short distance.

“I’m sorry that I have no rooms, but I’m sure that this will be a bit to your liking. Nice and cozy and warm,” the innkeeper was saying. Rebekah’s mouth dropped open. They were in a stable for the animals! It was not a wooden structure, like at her father’s inn, but a cave! Rebekah could hardly believe what she was seeing.

“My wife’s time is near, sir,” the man said. “Are there any women about who could help her?”

“Certainly. My wife, Rachel will be glad to, and there are others nearby,” the innkeeper said. “Rachel will be out shortly with water and other things.” Rebekah shrank back into the shadows as the innkeeper walked away.

“How are you, Mary?” Rebekah heard the man ask. As surprisingly young voice answered him.

“Quite well, Joseph,” Mary replied. “I will not complain of our lodging. I find it most pleasant.” Rebekah crept toward the door and peered in. A twig snapped beneath her foot, and the woman looked up.

“Hello,” she said smiling.

“Hello,” Rebekah replied shyly. She was shocked when she saw the woman’s face. She was not much older than her! “May I come in?”

“Certainly,” Mary said. “What is your name?”

“Rebekah. My father owns the inn down the street,” Rebekah said.
“My name is Mary and this is my husband, Joseph. We come from Galilee,” Mary replied. Her face suddenly became stricken with pain. Joseph rushed to her side.

“Are you all right, Mary?” he asked anxiously. Mary took his hand.

“Yes, Joseph, I am fine. The child is coming very soon,” Mary said, her voice sounding strained.

“May I help?” Rebekah asked.

“Yes, Rebekah,” Joseph said. “Run to the inn and tell them that it is time.” Rebekah ran to the inn and brought back the innkeeper’s wife and daughter.

Rebekah couldn’t watch. She stayed outside and listened. She had never witnessed a birth before, and now she was scared. Mary was so young and fragile, Rebekah thought for sure she would die. It was well into the night when the baby’s cry was heard. Rebekah, who had her face buried in her arms, looked up. She leapt to her feet and entered the stable. Mary was wrapping the small baby in white cloths. She looked up and smiled as Rebekah came in.

“I have a beautiful son, Rebekah,” Mary said as the laid the child in the manger.

“What shall you name him? Shall it be Joseph? Is he your first born?” Rebekah asked.

“He will be called Jesus,” Mary replied, gazing down at him.

“May I hold him, please?” Rebekah asked.

“Of course.” Mary lifted up the baby and placed him in Rebekah’s arms. Rebekah couldn’t remember ever holding a baby before. She looked at the sleeping child and was overcome. It was a feeling like no other she had felt before in her life. After a few moments, Rebekah handed the baby back to his mother.

“Thank you for letting me hold him, Mary,” Rebekah said. Mary smiled and kissed Rebekah’s cheek. Rebekah smiled back and then looked around. “I wish you had a better place to stay.”

“It’s quite all right, Rebekah. The city is so full of travelers, and there really is no other place to stay. We are quite happy with this place,” Mary replied.

“But you have no place to rest your head! The straw is not nearly soft enough!” Rebekah said. Mary smiled kindly and touched Rebekah’s cheek.

“Do not fret, Rebekah. Everything is fine here,” Mary said. Rebekah shook her head and pulled her shawl from her shoulders. She rolled it into a ball and placed it behind Mary.

“You may have my shawl, Mary. Use it to lay your head on, and then you may wear it as you travel to your home,” Rebekah said. Mary smiled again.

“You are very kind, Rebekah, but I cannot accept your beautiful shawl,” she said.

“It is my gift to you and your beautiful baby. I have many other shawls,” Rebekah insisted. “Please take it, Mary.”

“Thank you, Rebekah,” Mary replied. “Your gift is much appreciated.”

“You are welcome,” Rebekah said, grateful that Mary was accepting her shawl. She ducked her head and backed toward the door. “I must leave, so I hope that we meet again some day.”

“Perhaps we will,” Mary said. “Goodbye, Rebekah, and thank you.”

As Rebekah was walking home, she noticed that, even though it was late at night, the sky was not very dark. She looked around for the moon, but couldn’t find it. What she did see was a large star, situated right above the small stable she had just come from. Rebekah stared at it thoughtfully for a few moments, then continued to her home.

(c)Angela Johnson
(First version— 10/93; Revised version— 12/97)