A letter from Rachel, dated 6 B.C.

Editor's note: This column originally was published Dec. 22, 1991.

Bethsaida, Galilee

Chisleu, 3761

My dear sister Anna,

It was good to visit with you recently in Bethlehem. As you know, we went down earlier to enroll for Caesar's census than most of the House of David families from Galilee.

Since our return home to Bethsaida we've heard about some happenings on a night near the end of Chisleu. Some of our friends who stayed longer in King David's old hometown came in broad daylight, others stealthily at night, to report that they met some shepherds there who, with uncontrolled, yet convincing excitement, told about being in a field one night when angels came to tell them our Messiah had been born! A great many angels, singing.

Since no messenger has arrived from you confirming this, I wonder if there is much to it?

Some of those shepherds told that they had been instructed by these angels to go to a certain cattle cave where they would see the newborn baby and that, sure enough, when they did, they saw a baby there with parents named Joseph and Mary. They were from Nazareth.

I think some of our neighbors, Zebedee, his wife and their sons, James and John, have kinfolk there, but I've never heard of a Mary and Joseph unless the Joseph be the well-known carpenter over there.

In our past studies and listenings at the synagogues do you remember anything about our Messiah's coming as a baby?

Seems to me something extraordinary would have happened if this were so, such as the earth shaking, or a new dazzling light shimmering all over the world. I guess, though, we all have our own thoughts about what would happen when the one we have waited for so long would actually come. What would be sweeter and more lovable than that he come as a wee baby A a little baby untarnished by the world's tangles? But would he ever get to grow up so long as there are Caesars and Herods? I doubt it.

I suppose we all thought, and maybe still do think, that the Messiah will be discovered later in his life, having come up through the ranks and wars as did King David.

Was the recent event announced at the Temple or any nearby synagogues that you know about? If Herod has heard it I wonder what he thinks?

Anything I can hear from you will be such a help. Could you talk to some of those shepherds and relay to me what they say?

Some here in Bethsaida who were there on that night even speak about a great star, at least greater than usual. It doesn't seem to be the talk here at the cheese maker s shop nor at the wine keeper's, although there was one woman at the town well who vowed that yes, it was so. Her eyes were bright as great stars, too, as if she knew all about some great secret. But she wasn't saying anything further. You know how secretive we have had to be for fear some Romans may be around. They tend to laugh at us when we speak of a Messiah coming to free us. They may do something worse than laugh. I hope no one waylays the messenger I'm sending this by. He's a clever lad and I trust him.

We will be down for Passover but I do hope I can hear from you about the strange happenings in your town before then.

Sometimes when I dwell on this news, my heart beats wildly with joy. What, oh what if it is so! Just think, Anna, what it would mean for us. I guess only time will tell. I wish I could leap 2,000 years ahead and see if there was anything to it and how it all turned out.

Shalom,

Your sister Rachel

REJOICE!

Jean Bell Mosley is an author and longtime resident of Cape Girardeau.