The Fullness of Time

When they were dressed and ready to leave, Joseph packed up the gifts left by the Magi, stuffed them into a sack, and was ready to leave. They were blessed indeed that God had warned them that the soldiers were coming, so out the door, they went. Quickly down the street and alleyways this couple ran, running to save their lives, but to be truthful, it was not their life they feared would be taken, but the very life of their two-year-old. They had moved down two streets by way of alley passages, making their way to a friend’s door. They soon arrived to which Joseph began to beat upon the door, causing his friend to arrive and say, “Joseph, have you seen what is going on?’ ‘we were on the rooftop watching all the soldiers running here and there looking for God only knows.’ ‘There is screaming going on’, but before he could finish Joseph blurted out. “Eli, where is my cart, I need to use it to escape?” “Why Joseph are the soldiers after you?’, at that moment Joseph nodded his son’s way causing Eli to say, ‘Oh, I see, go and may the God of Abraham guard you!” Joseph turned toward Mary and said, “You and Jesus stay here I will come with the cart!” Joseph cautiously, disappeared around the corner of the house, as Mary held Jesus very close. Eli looked at Mary and said, “What on earth is happening?’ ‘There are cries and shouts everywhere?” “Eli, if I understand what I heard with my ears, I believe they are, for some reason, killing children!” said Mary. It was not long before Joseph returned with the wagon. He jumped off the wagon, like a well-trained soldier, and landing close to Mary he said, “Get on board, NOW!” Jesus sat down beside Mary as Joseph made sure the belts were tight and secure upon the horse. Jesus looked up at Mary and said with an assuring smile, “Ima”. Mary stared down at Him as He continued, “Not be sad, God with us.” Mary smiled and said, “That is for certain my son. Now hold on to Ima and close your eyes if you want.” Jesus snuggled as close to Mary as He could and shut His eyes tight. Joseph raised the reins high, snapped them downward, and yelled for the horse to gallop. The horse, pulling the wagon, went as fast as he could down the road south upon the highway leading to the city of Ascalon on the coastline. From there, they would travel to the great city of Gaza which would give them a coastline shot to Egypt and any number of cities found there to hide within.