My Wonderful Journey

It was a cool morning for March. The sun was shining, but the air was cold. I was walking down the beach when something quite shiny caught my eye in the distance. As I approached it, it seemed to be a box of some sort. I picked it up and there was a note attached. The note read, “whoever finds this box, and dares to open it, will be surprised at its contents.” Well now, was I just going to leave it there? With such a dare? I studied the box closely. It was golden with a silver trim. Not ribbon, but a metal of some kind. A metal with a tab. Oh, this was nonsense! I pulled the tab, the box opened and before I knew it, I had plunged back in time. How far, I did not know, but the men were dressed in long robes with sandals on their feet. The women had on long gowns, also with sandals on their feet. Some women were carrying well water buckets. There was a man walking with a camel next to him (rope in hand). I must have looked rather odd with my jeans and and t-shirt on. They were all looking at me in that odd sort of way that said, “who are you and where did you come from?” There was this one boy about my age who approached me and smiled. He asked me what my name was and I told him it was Andrew. His was Benjamin. He took me to his home and we talked. I told him what happened and that I didn’t know where I was now or in what era. He handed me some clothes and said it was 5 BC. How could this be possible, and how would I get back home?

After I changed into clothes more appropriate for that time (I put the small box in my pocket), and we went back outside. We were walking through a marketplace when an older lady approached me and asked if I would be able to help her by cleaning out a stable stall that she could no longer clean. A stable stall? I’d never done such a thing before, but I wanted to help her, so I said, “yes of course.” It was growing dark and getting colder out and Benjamin said he would help me. We gathered warmer clothing and made our way to this stable. There were cows, lambs and a donkey in there. It really smelled, but I gave my word and we began to work. It was about 6 p.m. when we started and ended our chores by 8:00. I was tired and fell asleep in the hay. When I woke up Benjamin was no where in sight. It was just me and the stable animals.

To my surprise, a man and women rode into the stable on a donkey. The lady looked very tired and the man told me they had been on a long journey for 3 days. His wife, Mary was pregnant and the baby was ready to enter this world. He was relieved he would have some help. Wait! Me?? I never did anything like this before. The man’s name was Joseph and he asked me to fetch a bucket of water quickly. Where? How? I ran out in a panic and found a bucket. This bucket was definitely not there when I came in, but I grabbed it and went to the well. Lowered it down and pulled it up. It was full of fresh well water. I ran back, losing a good part of the water, but handed it to Joseph. He then asked me to find some old rags if I could. To go into the village and ask around. I did this and the same older lady who asked me to clean the stable handed me the rags. By the time I made it back to the stable, there were three (not two). The baby had been born and I was glad I missed it. He was beautiful though. It almost looked as though there was a ring of light around his head.

His mother looked at me and smiled. She said, “Meet my son. His name is Jesus.” That’s when I made the connection! Jesus!!! I fell to my knees and cried. I had plunged back in time to meet this tiny baby who would save the world.

Remembering the small golden box in my pocket, I removed it. There was another little slot on the bottom, and when I opened it, it was a small piece of gold. I stared at it for a bit, then picked it up and handed it to Joseph. I told him, it was for Jesus. I also told both of them, that I would pray each day of my life until the end. I then kissed this child, and things began to swirl. I felt as though I were falling through a hole, and before I knew it, I was in my bed back home. My mother said she thought she had lost me and thanked God I was going to be ok. I told her all that had happened and she said, “I’m not a bit surprised. That would explain your new clothes.” I looked down and realized I had come home with the clothes Benjamin gave me. So it was true! It wasn’t a dream after all. I dropped to my knees by my bed, and began to pray as I said I would. Each and every morning, afternoon and night.

Timed passed. I married and had my own children. Three in all. All boys. I named them, Joseph, Benjamin, and Andrew Jr. Mom and dad had since passed away.

Years had passed, and I grew old. I was in the garden one afternoon, when I looked up and saw them all. There was mom, dad, Mary, Joseph and of course, Jesus. He reached his hand to me, and I took it. His hand felt warm and as smooth as silk. He was grown and had a beard, like me! The most radiant man I had ever seen. He smiled and moved to the left, and there, behind him, was Benjamin! I gave him such a hug. We turned and walked away, and I was at peace.