Out of Egypt
Another dream. This one came with urgency, chasing sleep away without mercy. It wasn't like the previous one. The one he'd had in Nazareth while he was thinking of quietly seeking a divorce. That dream answered an agonizing pain in his heart. It came with the warmth of knowing his love for his betrothed was not in vain. The spirit of God touched him. He was entrusted to protect the child in Mary's womb, from a world spinning out of control. Urgency. He jumped up from his slumber. She would wonder why. The child might fuss. Just a few days ago, the magi had visited their tiny abode. Star seekers. Men of wisdom who spoke of a certain star, and its announcement of a king's birth. They brought gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. They'd made mention of their plan to return to their land by a different route. They too had received a dream in their slumber. Herod was evil, but every Israelite knew that....