My job is to care for the genealogical records of the city of Bethlehem. That is why I was appointed to supervise the census and tax collection ordered by the Emperor Augustus.

"Oh, you are Joseph son of Jacob Heli. Where have you been hiding? Up there in Galilee? You must know that as the last remaining heir to the throne of David there is a price on your head. I could collect a talent of gold for reporting you, but how can I betray the Messiah we are all expecting? When was this baby boy born? He is too young to pay the tax, but I will add him to the royal lineage."

I told Joseph to get out of town as soon as possible, but he said the baby had to be circumcised in Bethlehem, and then taken up to be presented in the Jerusalem temple. Those were anxious weeks as any moment I expected the secret police to come and arrest the family. Happily they finally left town in a hurry, and apparently went down into Egypt. It was just in time as the next day soldiers arrived and killed every baby boy under the age of two. As I recorded their deaths in my books I could hear the wailing and lamentation of the parents and family members all around the city and countryside.

I often wondered what happened to Joseph and his family. Then I heard that his son Jesus was attracting great crowds with beautiful news of the love of God. Several times priests and rabbis came down to check my records. They could not deny that the son of Joseph was the only remaining heir to the throne of David. But they all agreed he could not be the Messiah. That is why they had him crucified by the Roman Governor. That sounded like end of our hope, but he rose from the dead and appeared for several weeks among us. I am proud to be his servant.

 

Robert Brow