Christmas short story:

That Holy Night

by Jeannette Cabraal

The velvety night sky was star-lit. A pervasive tranquillity seemed to reign in the skies in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the streets of Bethlehem, as crowds thronged the highways and by-ways, in response to the decree of Emperor Augustus, that a census be taken and people register themselves in their own home towns.

And so, the roads were teeming with unending crowds. Rumbling feet; very anxious to obey the decree.

Among this crowd a decrepit donkey ambled on, led by a slow footed not-so-young man bearing its load, a demure young woman in an advanced stage of pregnancy. She seemed weary, having come on a tedious journey despite her condition.

The man seemed more anxious than tired, peering to left and right into the boisterous inns. He warily approached one..." Any room at the inn? The woman is in an advanced stage of pregnancy and can go no further." The fat inn-keeper eyed him from top to bottom. What could he get from the likes of these.

He could easily accommodate some well to do trader in his already House Full inn "No room! No room! No room at all!" and he waived them on. Their presence would be bad for his customers. On proceeded the man, the donkey carrying its precious load, and paused at another. Before he could even pop the question an Amazonian woman, the inn-keeper's wife gesticulated to him to move on, without impeding other customers.

Frustrated

Weary in mind and body, the man plodded on; by now quite frustrated. What could he do? For himself it mattered not. But for her? Her time of delivery was almost up. It was useless asking here. One could see it was choc-a-block. Yet in his desperate need, he appealed "Any room at the inn? Just a little space, just to spend the night. We are not particular about comfort, just shelter."

The inn-keeper - sized them up. He looked at the woman pale, weary and patient. She looked as if she could proceed no further. They were in dire need. But his inn was crowded. It had even exceeded capacity.

"There's absolutely no room. You can see that, can't you? But if you don't mind there's a stable down in the backyard. I don't mind your settling there for the night. No payment necessary," he added magnanimously. There was no option. "Thank you! Thank you!" bowed the man in gratitude "God will reward you" And he limped in the direction the inn-keeper indicated.

Something stirred within the inn-keeper. Some inexplicable feeling of something infinitely profound. Heedless of his busy schedule he pondered over this strange couple.

He seemed almost remorseful, he didn't have even a cell to give them. He stood long, wrapped in thought. His men came around pestering him. "Master there's much to do. We need you" But nary a response from the inn-keeper. He stood there in a reverie. How long he did not know.

Strangeness

There was a strangeness in the skies. A strange aura of light. Was he dreaming? Or did he hear heavenly strains? He looked towards the stable, some distance away. What was that comet that gleamed?

A tail-star? He was in a daze. The inn was one din. He hurried to the backyard, to the stable. Not a moo from the cows, not a bleat from the lambs, housed there. Only a hushed peace, a tranquillity that was inescapable. There was the couple in a worshipful posture and on the hay among the cattle lay the babe.

He sensed it was no ordinary babe. Instinctively he sank to his knees. "Thank God". He thought "Thank God" I offered them even this stable." He was rewarded. He was the first to see the Godhead. Later they came. The Magi bearing offerings of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh - costly and meaningful. Yet the gift of the stable excelled them all.