Home 
?That?s really one good piece of workmanship I?ve never seen in my life,? Anthony praised Joseph who was patching the damaged roof of the soldier?s house. The weather had been strange the past few days and strong rains and winds badly damaged many houses in Nazareth, including this Roman soldier?s home.
?I simply try to do the best I can,? Joseph said as he made sure that the roof tiles were not only firmly placed but also well aligned.
?Oh come on, that?s not the only thing I?ve seen you do well, Joseph,? said the Roman casually calling him by his name. This was quite unusual between Jews and pagans. But this particular soldier and Joseph had become very good friends and they shared many experiences and dreams together.
Joseph could only smile as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. ?This will be finished before sundown,? he replied. ?By tomorrow, the roof will be completely dry and solid.?
Joseph climbed down the roof. Anthony asked, ?So you?re soon off to register in Bethlehem??
?Yes,? Joseph said while he brushed off the dust and some hay clinging to his working clothes. ?It will be quite a trip and not an easy one especially with Mary heavy with our child.?
?My friend, I can give you more clothing and extra provisions for your trip. But don?t stay too long in Bethlehem. I wouldn?t know how to fix my house without your skills,? the Roman said while giving Joseph a friendly embrace.
?Thank you so much,? Joseph felt so grateful for finding a loyal friend in this man who was not even a Jew. He even behaved more uprightly than some of the Jews themselves. ?I believe, however, that Mary and I are quite prepared for the trip. Don?t worry, we don?t plan to stay too long. That?s also why we don?t intend to bring too many things with us.?
?I?m glad to hear that,? the man replied.
?Anton,? a woman?s voice called out. ?Don?t forget the comb.?
?Oh, I almost forgot,? Anton said. ?I must be getting old.? He took a small alabaster comb from his pocket. ?Take this Joseph, it?s a treasured gift my wife and I have kept for so long. But the gods never saw us fit to have the gift of a son or daughter.?
?I cannot accept something that means a lot to both of you,? Joseph resisted.
?My friend,? the soldier said, ?it would greatly please me if you and your wife kept it for your child.?
?I cannot thank you enough for everything you?ve done for us,? Joseph said as he pocketed the comb.
?May the gods keep you safe in your journey, my faithful carpenter and do come home right away,? Anton gave Joseph one more long embrace. The soldier felt it was going to be the last time that they would see each other.
* * *
Mary and Joseph sighed with relief as they saw the small town of Bethlehem and it?s surrounding hills that were bathed with the warm and deep colors of the setting sun.
?I pray that we won?t stay there too long. It?s not the best place for you to give birth. I have been told it?s next to impossible to find space and not even in the inn,? Joseph said quite worried.
True enough, the city ?small as it already was? was overflowing with people who came to register. Travelers clogged the streets with their tents and tables filled with all sorts of merchandise. The soldiers mounted on their horses filed along the alleyways maintaining order amongst the newcomers. Thieves also took this occasion to steal without being seen in such crowded and confused streets.
As Mary and Joseph entered the city-gate the mass of people simply engulfed them like a flowing river without any direction. Joseph struggled to keep their direction towards the inn. They waded through a mass of men, stalls, animals and soldiers that pressed around Mary and their poor donkey.
Suddenly, Mary cried out, ?Joseph, my bag!?
?What happened?? Joseph was alarmed.
?Someone has taken it,? Mary said.
?Thieves!? Joseph said keeping a more vigilant watch around them. ?It?s all right Mary. Besides the thief will be quite surprised to discover we don?t have anything valuable with us.?
?I know,? Mary said regaining her composure, ?but if I do give birth to Jesus here, I won?t even have anything to warm Him with. I already gave the mantle to the girl in the village where we stopped. There were a few strands of cloth there, and Anton?s gift, the alabaster comb. I hope they could be of use to the one who stole it.?
* * *
?Are these worth the effort? Strips of cloth, needles and woolen thread, and an alabaster comb?? Aramin, the thief, scratched his forehead in disgust. ?I?m losing my touch. I had better look for a better job to support my family. This won?t even buy anything to feed my poor family.?
He examined the comb closely. ?Well, at least Anina, my only girl, may like this comb.? He headed back to the poorer areas of Bethlehem where he lived.
?Father! Father!? a boy came running frantically to him. Aramin is frightened as he read a dreadful tone in his eldest son?s voice. ?What is it Johan??
?Anina was trampled by a mule that suddenly went wild in the field where she was gathering the fallen wheat!? Johan couldn?t keep himself from crying. ?She?s dead!?
Aramin hastily ran back to his home and found his wife and four other children weeping and huddled around the fragile body of Anina.
His daughter?s pale ashen face was bruised and dry blood stained her nostrils. Her beautiful chestnut hair was untidily covering her cheeks. Her clothes were dirty and torn, and her right hand was still clasping some wheat she had gathered.
?Anina, why didn?t you stay at home?? her father moaned with grief. ?I was only going to be out for a short while, and promised to bring you home a gift.?
Aramin took out the alabaster comb and with it gently combed his daughter?s tangled hair. ?You would have looked pretty with this,? he said sobbing as he continued to fix his child?s hair. ?I knew I should have stopped being a thief like you pleaded me the other day.?
?Father,? Joan who was caressing his sister?s hand suddenly said, ?I felt her hand move.?
?Hush! You?re imagining things, son,? their mother said.
??and her hand is warm again,? continued Joan who didn?t pay attention to what his mother said.
Aramin continued to comb his daughter?s hair and gazed at her face. He realized that her complexion had indeed changed. And to everyone?s surprise Anina opened her eyes and asked, ?Where am I??
* * *
?Joseph, look at that girl,? Mary pointed to a pretty little pretty near the Temple?s entrance. ?She has a comb like the one we lost.?
They both approached Anina, and Joseph asked, ?Little girl, where did you find that comb??
?My father?,? she was about to explain when Aramin appeared and knelt before Mary and Joseph.
?Forgive me for stealing your things.? He pleaded. ?Today, I have sworn to God and my daughter that I will never steal again. Here, take your belongings back.? Then filled with emotion he told Mary Joseph how his daughter was miraculously brought back to life.
?Thank you, kind man,? Mary replied, ?but your daughter may keep the comb. I am sure God wanted things to happen just as they did.?
