The Advent Carols

7/30/2019 The Advent Carols

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AdventhasbeenanessentialtraditionforaslongasChristhasbeen

considereddivine.ItcomesfromtheLatinwordadventus,meaningcoming,referringtothecelebrationofChristmaswhenJesuswasborn,declaredbythe

ChurchofRometobeDecemberthe25th,whenancientSaturnaliawillbecelebrated,whenPanwearsthemaskoftheMessiah.However,ourstorybeginsin

theheartofItalywithinRome,intheyear1563. NearthebanksoftheTiberRiverintheTrastevereneighborhood,four

friendsarepreparingfortheAdventseasonwiththeirtradition.Yearsago,they

decidedtotelltheirownstoriesaboutJesus.EveryweekinAdvent,eachofthefriendswouldtellonestoryforeachweekfromadifferentpersonuntileveryone

hadtoldtheirtale.

PietrowalkedthealleysofTrastevere.Hissister,Maria,heldhishandtightly

asthesunbegantoset.TheskylineaboveGianincologavetheillusionoffireamongstthesteeplesandstuccoroofs;onecouldalmosthearafaintharpplaying

amongsttheRomanhomes.Peoplelinedthroughoutthestreetsdrinkingwineandenjoyingthecompanyoffriends.TherewassomuchjoyamongstthestreetsthateveryonehadforgottenabouttheconveningoftheCouncilofTrent,decisionsto

keephereticsfromspreadingtheirliesamongstChristendom.However,thiswasthebeginningofChristmas,andtheRomanswerenotgoingtoallowtheChurchtodim

therevelryofChristmas.ThetwosiblingswereontheirwaytoPaoloshomenear

SantCeciliaBasilicaforthefirstSundayofAdvent.PaolohadbeenPietrosclosestfriendsincetheywerebaptizedinthefontofSantaMariadiTrastevere.

RevelersofferedthetwoyoungRomanswineastheypassedbythecourtyardofSantCecilia,butthetwograciouslydeclinedtheoffers.Astheypassed

underthemantleoftheapartmentbuilding,twoloverswereembracedoutsideof

thedoor.Pietrotriedtopassbyunnoticed,andslightlyembarrassed.HegaveaslightpeekwhenMariatuggedathissleeve.Moreembarrassedthanbefore,he

noticedthattheloverswerenoneotherthanhisfriendPaoloandPaolosfianc,

Carmen. Well,Iseeyoudovesareenjoyingtherevelryaswell.Asmirkcameacross

Pietrosface.Thetwoloversbrokeawayinshock. Pietro?!Buh,youareearly,dearfriend!IwasnotexpectingyouandMaria

tillsundown.Paolostraightenedhisdisheveledtunic.

Paolo,itISpastsundown.Pietrogaveawrysmileandpointedatthealreadydarkenedwindowglass,enhancedbythesleepingsun.Paoloblushedwith

embarrassment.Thenwemusthurry,lestitbecomesunupsoon.Paolosmiledas

heopenedthedoortohisapartment.Carmensmiledandentered,followedbyMariawhowinkedatPaolo,andPietrosimplysmiledathisdearfriend,withan

encouragingslapontheshoulder. ThefirstroomofPaolosapartmentwastheleisurequarters,withatableset

outinthemiddleoftheroom.Uponthetablewasabottleofwinealongwiththe

Adventwreath.Therewerefourpillowsaroundthetableallcrimsonandvelour.Carmensatdownwithherlegsatherside,acrossfromMaria,whosatcross-legged.

Paolowentintohiskitchenandgrabbedfourpewterglasses.Heplacedthemupon


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thetableandsatnexttoCarmen.Pietrogaveapuzzledlookattheglassesandthen

toPaolo.Paolowasquicktoanswer. EvenJesuswashospitablewithwine.PaoloandPietroexchangedsmiles,

whilePaoloservedupthreeheftyglassesandasmallportionforMaria. SowhoissettotellthefirsttaleforAdvent?Paoloaskedasheheldthe

matchbox.Pietroputhiswineglassdownandheldhisindexfingerup.Ihavethefirsttaletotell. Marialookeddispleased.Nofair,youtoldyourtalefirstlastyear.Iwantto

tellminefirstthisyear.Everyonelookedattheyounggirl,butPietrobeingthe

eldestonewasallowedtotellhistalefirst.RulesarerulesMaria.Pietrosmiledtoencourageher.PaologavethematchesovertoPietro.Pietrotookoneoftheflint

sticksoutandstruckitignitingtheflame.LightingthefirstcandleofAdvent,Pietrobeganhistale.

MystoryiscalledJesusandthePrisonGuard.AfterJesushadgonetotheweddingatCana,hedecidedtoventureintonearbyTiberiastopreachtothosewho

wouldhearhiswords.Unfortunatelyforhimhowever,Romansoldierswerebeginningtocollecttaxesduetothekalends.Jesushadnotbeenpayinghistaxes,andhadnocointogivetothetaxcollectors.Jesuswasarrestedbythesoldiersand

thrownintothecityprison.HesatthereinhiscellfordayseatingRomanbreadanddrinkingwaterwhenhewasgivenit.Noneoftheprisonguardswouldspeakto

Jesus,thinkinghewouldcorruptthemwithdarkmagic.Itwasnotuntilacoupleof

days,thataprisonguardsaidonegoodwordtoJesus.YouaretheonetheJewsarespeakingofaroundGalileearentyou?The

RabbicalledJesus?WhybyJoveareyouinhere?theRomanaskedJesus.JesussmiledattheRoman.IhavenotpaidtaxestoCaesar,andsoIamcalled

acriminal.Yousee,Ihaveonlytheclothesuponmybackandtheteachingsinmy

heart.Whydontyouchargeafeeforteachingliketheotherteacherswithinthe

cities?

Jesusheldhiscallousedhandsout.IfIdidthat,onlyaselectfewcouldhearmywords.Myteachingsareforeveryonetohear,thatismytaxpaidforhumanity.

TheRomanlookedinquisitive.Idonotunderstand.Youclaimyouhavepaidtaxes,yetyouareinprison.

JesuspointedhisfingertowardstheRoman.Doyouhaveawifeand

children?TheRomannoddedhishead.Twoofthem.Jesusheldaconfusedlook.Wives?TheRomanlaughed.Children.He

smiledattheJewishseer.

Wellwhenyouhelpoutyourfamilyandfriendswiththeirneeds,youdonotaskforanythinginreturn,right?TheRomannodded.

Well,youhavepaidyourtaxuponhumanity,andthatisgreaterthananymaterialtaxtoanemperor.Cointaxesmaypayforroadsandwars,butloveand

kindnessbuildbridgesamongstmankind.

TheRomanlookeddistraught.Ifinallyunderstandyourwords,rabbi.TheRomancontinuedhispatrol,butlookedbackatJesus.YouknowIcannotbe

convertedbyyourbeliefs,Jesus.TheRomangaveasmiletotheseer.


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Jesusrubbedhishandstogetherinprayer.Aslongasyoudogoodinthe

world,youneednotfollowmybeliefs,forweareallpeopletryingtohelptheworld.TheRomansmiledbackatJesusandlefttheprisonhold.Thenextdaythe

RomanpaidforJesusreleaseandJesuswasfreetopreachinTiberiasandmakehiswaybacktowardsNazareth.

Paologavealittlesmile.Thatwasfarbetterthantheoneyoutoldlastyear.Pietroshruggedwithasmile,andeachofthefriendsclinkedtheirglasses

together.

Pietrorusheddownthestreet.AshewalkedthroughtheCampodiFiori,

therewasalargecrowdgatherednearthemarket,acircleofCatholiczealsurroundinginnocentlambs.PietroknewheshouldhurrytogettoPaolos

apartment,buthiscuriositytookholdofhim;hewalkedclosertothecrowd.There

wereperhapstwelvemenandwomencursinginItalianattwoyoungmenandagirl.Themenworewhatlookedtobeapronswithtasselshangingfromthecorners;the

girllookedhaggard,herclothestornneartheupperarmofhershirt.Hercheekswerestainedwithtears,causingherbrowneyestotwinkleinthelightofthesunset,herJewishfriendsguardingherliketwoironcladstatues.

TheJewsofRomewerecelebratingtheendofHanukah,theirjoyouscelebration.PietrohadneverseenaHanukah,buthehadheardaboutthemfromhis

father,adeaconfromSantaMariadiTrastevere.Thecircleinsultedthethreefigures

andspat,asifitwereonebeing,onegreatmaw.Silenzio!avoiceshoutedfromoutsideofthecircle,butPietrocouldnotsee

theinstrument.Finally,amandressedinadarkrobebrokethecircle.ThethreeJewswerefrightenedfromthetallman,butheheldhishanduptothem,makinga

spacebetweenhismiddlefingerandringfinger.Pietrohadneverseenthesign

before,buttheJewswerecalmedandshockedbyit.Themanturnedtothesilentcrowd,andPietrocouldfinallyseethemansface.ItwasGiordaniBrunofrom

Firenze.Pietrosfatherhadtoldhimstoriesoftheyoungpriest:storiesoftheyoung

priestpreachingtoolderpriests,debatingwithotherDominicansovermattersofritualandscripture.Hewassoastoundingwhenitcametodebate,thatherarely

usedhisBookofSentences,anabsoluteprodigyandtrueChristian,aheadachetotheOrthodoxChristians.

IntheseasonofAdvent,youcurseyourfellowman.Youforgetyourselves!

GiordaniheldhishandpalmuptowardstheJews.Youareblind!WhenyouinsultthesechildrenofGod,youinsultJesus.JesuswasaJew,noneofyoucandenythis.

Withhisotherhand,hepointedtowardsthecrowd.Theveryreligionyouprofess

wasgiventhroughtheHebrewfaith.Andsotheapprenticecursesthemaster?Heloweredhishandandlookedateachoftheeyesstaringathim,fallinguponPietros

woodeyes.Giordanihaddarkeyes,buttheyhadaglimmerwithinthem.TrueToscanaeyes.

DoestheProdigalsonreputehisFather?Pietronoticedthatseveralwithin

thecirclebegantolowertheirheadsinembarrassment,fortheScripturesdonotlietothoseoffaith.Nowleave!Giordanisvoicebellowedthroughthesquareand

PietrofoundhimselfstaringattheFlorentine.Finally,heshookthesightfromhis


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mindandcontinuedtowardsPaolosapartment.Heturnedtotakeonemorelookat

Giordani.Thepriestsapprenticegavehiscloaktotheyounggirlandshecoveredherself.Giordanididnotblessthegirl,fortherewasnoneedtoblessonealready

blessed.

Paolo,CarmenandMariaweresittingaroundthetablewaitingforPietro.

Thetimewascalculatedbythediminishedamountofwine,butinthespiritof

Advent,theymadesurenottotakeintoomuchwine.Thedoorswungopenanda

heavingPietrowanderedthroughthedoorjam.Well,hefinallyshows.Wherehaveyoubeen?China?Paoloaskedwitha

wrysmile.YouwillneverbelievewhatIjustsaw.TherewasagroupofJewsbeing

cursedandinsultedbyseveralCatholicsintheCampodiFiori.GiordaniBruno,the

priestfromFirenze,stoppedtheincident.HedidnotquotefromtheScriptures,hedidsomethingbetter.Hespokefromhisheartandsilencedtheinsults.Allthe

CatholicsleftafterthatandGiordanicomfortedtheJews.ItwasthemostamazingthingIhaveeverseen.Pietrohadaglowabouthim.

Sonowyouwanttobeapriest?Paoloasked.

Pietrosglowlessened.No.Iwasimpressedwithaholyman,whowasunlikeanyholymanIhaveevermet.Paoloacceptedthestatementwithhishandsinthe

air.

Well,wehaveeveryonehere.NowwecanbeginwithourAdventtales.SincePietrowentlasttime,ashostIshallgonext.PaolosatdownnexttoCarmenwho

smiledatherfianc.Pickingupthematches,hestruckoneandlitthenextcandle.

MystoryiscalledJesusandApolloniusofTyana.Oneday,whenJesuswas

teachinginAcrenearSidonamongstmanyofhisfollowers,JesuswasteachingontheimportanceofkindnessusingtheparableoftheGoodSamaritanwhenhis

disciple,Simon,interruptedtheparable.

Yeshua,thescholarApolloniusfromTyanaisinthecity,teachingattheacademy.Heteachesblasphemyagainstyourword,Rabbi.Weshouldgoandstop

histeachings.SimonheldhisdarkgazeonJesus.Jesusstoodupamongsthisfollowers.Whereistheacademy?

SimonleadthegroupwithJesusbehindhim,sanddustingtheirfeetasthey

went.Theacademywasnearthecenterofthecity,marbleCorinthiancolumnsguardingacademiasSyriangates.Therewasaloudvoice,teachingthewordsofthe

GreekandRomanscholars,aninfiniteStoic.AgroupofPhariseeshadfollowedthe

grouptoseeifJesuswouldstopthescholarsteachings.Jesuswalkedbetweenthemarblecolumnsintotheopenhall.TheloudvoicestoppedwhenApolloniushad

seenhisvisitor.Jesuswalkeddownthesteps,everyonewatchinghim.Oncehehadreachedtheground,hecouldseethefeaturesofApolloniusface.Hehadalong,full

brownbeard,butthereweresignsofsilverwithinhishair.Hisskinwasdarkened

fromthesandanddust.AsmilecameacrossApolloniusfaceandhewalkedtowardsJesus.AsmilecameacrossJesusface,heembracedApollonius,andApollonius

embracedhim.Itwasasiftwooldfriendshadreunitedformeremoments.


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Jesuslookedintothescholarseyesandturnedbacktowalkupthestairs.

Whenhereachedthetop,hisfollowersandthePhariseesquestionedtheeventbysaying:howcanyou,aholymanoftheoneGod,embraceaStoicdevil?Whydidyou

notstophisteaching?JesuslookedateachofhisfollowersandthePhariseesandsaidIfIweretostophisteachings,thenIwouldhavetostopmyteachingsaswell.

Foralthoughwecomefromtwodifferentworlds,weteachthesamething.Iteachaboutkindness,joy,compassion,thesamesubjectsApolloniusteaches.IteachabouttheoneGod,justasheteachesaboutthesupremeOne.Itellyouthisnow,

ApolloniusandIhealthewoundsofthemanywithasalve,butyouPhariseespour

poisonintothewounds.ThePhariseesshookwithfuryandleftshakingtheirfists.Jesuswasleftwithhisfollowers,staringinbewildermentattheirteacher.

Apolloniusisabrother,andIshallnotstopanotherbrotherfromteachingthegoodword.Jesusspokeandwalkedtowardsthehomehewasstayinginwith

Simon.

BeyondtheemeraldcourtyardofSantaCeciliasandthemarbleurnfountain,

Carmenhadlongsincepassedbeneaththemantleoftheancienttitulus.Withinsaintlycolonnadesofthebasilica,Carmenlookedinwonderathersurroundings.Shehadgrownupwithinthischurch,andamonthfromnowshewouldbemarried

init.Shecouldalreadyimaginethefamilyandfriendsliningtherows,petalsdecoratingthemasonworkbeneathherfeet.Thearomaofincenseengulfedher

imagination,causinghermindtodancewiththeputtiandcherubimaroundher.

Aboveherhead,thevirginIsis,offeringholymajestytoSantaCecilia,inthepresenceofherhawk-eyedson,wouldblessthemarriage.Behindthealtar,thesingular,

minutetilesmadeuptheSonofMan,abovethePaschallamb,asymbolofglorioussacrifice.WithJesushandraised,Carmencouldalreadyseethattheheavenssmiled

uponherfortune.

Paolopacedthroughouthisapartment,whileMariaandPietrowatchedfrom

theAdventtable,theireyesfollowinghiseverymove.

Wherecouldshebe?Sheshouldhavebeenhereatleastanhourago.Paolocontinuedtopaceandspeakinawaveringvoice.

ImsureshesfinePaolo.ShehasnevermissedourAdventtalesbefore.Itwillbealright.Pietrotriedtoreassurehisfriend,butfoundittobeinvain.

Butitisherturntotellatale,andsheisneverlate.Whatifshewasattacked

bytheTevermyGod,whatifshefellintheTever!Paolostoppedwithalookoffearacrosshisface.

Pietrogavealookofincredibledoubt,andwasabouttodispelPaolosfears,

whenthedooropenedtotheapartment.Carmenclosedthedoorbehindher,withalookofsurpriseacrossherface.Whyiseveryonestaringatthedoor?AmIlate?

Paolorushedtoher.Ilmiobellaangela!PaolokissedCarmenandheldher;shestillhadashockedlookuponherface.Iwassoworriedaboutyou.Youarevery

late.

AnancientChristiantemple.ItalianforTiberRiver.


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Carmensmiledatherfianc.Imsorry,Imusthavelosttrackoftime.Iwas

atSantaCeciliasthinkingofourwedding.However,Ihavethoughtofagoodtaletotell.ShegrabbedPaoloshandandledhimtothetable.Takingamatchfromthe

matchbox,shestruckitandlittheGaudetecandle.Blowingoutthematch,shesmiledatherfriends.

MystoryiscalledJesusandtheMarriageoftheSamaritanWoman.AftersometimewhileJesuswaspreachinginNazareth,hispopularityasamediatorof

argumentsgrew,andsoonmanypeoplewishedtohavetheirargumentsjudgedby

therabbi. OnedaywhileJesuswaswalkingaboutthestreetsofNazareth,anolder

Jewishmancametohimwithhisconcerns. Rabbi,Imustspeakwithyouaboutagravematter.Jesuslookedattheman

andawaitedhisconcerns.MysonistobemarriedinthemonthofElul,toa

Samaritanwoman.Youmustspeakwithhimanddrivehimfromhiserrs,please. Jesuslookedatthesunabove,andthenspoketotheman.Leadmetoyour

son. ThemanledJesustotheothersideoftown,nearpomegranategroves.Themanshome,builtaroundasectionofthegrove,waslargerthanmanyofthehomes

Jesushadentered.ThemanpointedtoanopeningandJesuswalkedthrough,butthemanwouldnotfollow.Theroomlackedaroofandallowedsunlighttofeedahealthy

pomegranatetreetowardsthebackoftheroom.Thetreesbrancheswoundaround

themselves,twisting,bearingripenedfruit.Beneaththeshadeofthetree,ayoungmanofperhapseighteensatnexttoayoungwoman.Jesuscouldonlyassumethat

thiswastheSamaritanwomanthemanspokeof,butotherthanthat,shelookedlikeaJewishwoman.TheyoungmannoticedJesusandgotuptomeetJesus.

Ihaveseenyoupreachinginthestreets.YouaretherabbicalledJesus.

EveryoneclaimsyouareKingSolomonreborninlightofyourwisdom.Jesuspolitelybrushedawaythecompliment.Whatisyourname?

MynameisJosiah.Theyoungmanthenwalkedovertothewoman.Thismy

wife-to-be,Rachael.TheyoungmansatdownnexttoRachael,herdeepbrowneyesdrawntoJesus.Jesuswalkedtowardsthecoupleandnoticedaripened

pomegranatehangingfromoneofthebranches.Hepulleditfromitsstemandhelditinhishands.Whenhewasinchesawayfromthecouple,hecroucheddownbelow

theireyelevel.

RachaeltookJesushand.Rabbi,Iamsogladtoseeyou.Jesusheldthepomegranateinhisrighthand,andcomfortedRachaelwithhisotherhand.

Yourfatherhastoldmethatheisnothappywithyourmarriage.Hehaseven

threateneddisownment.Josiahlookedalittleworried,holdingRachaelshandabittighterthanbefore.Jesuslookeddownatthepomegranateinhishand.

Lookatthispomegranate.Theoutsideisveryrough,certainlynotappealing.HoweverJesusstruggledwiththerosecolouredfruit,butfinallysplititintwo,

juicesdrippingdownhishands.withinthefruit,liesthedeliciousseeds,beautiful

TraditionallythethirdcandleoftheAdventwreath,usuallypink,tocelebratetheapproachoftheChrist.


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incolour,andexquisiteintaste.Loveislikethepomegranate.Tomanywhodonot

experiencetruelove,itisrough,andseeminglyunattractive,butwithin,itisassweetastheseedsofthisfruit.True,romanticlovebetweentwopeopleisaspecial

anduniquesweetness.Eachoftheseedsaresimilarinlikeness,muchlikeeachperson,regardlessoftheirbackground,andsoeachcarrythesamesweetnessof

love.Jesusplacedeachhalfinthecoupleshands. Youarebothhuman,regardlessofyourraceorbackground,andassuch,trueloveconquersallobstacles.Noboundariescanwithstandthemagnanimous

poweroflove.Yourfathermaynotenjoyyourmarriageatfirst,buthelovesyou

verymuch.Intime,hewillunderstandyourlove.Jesusstoodupandturnedabout;inthedoorwaystoodJosiahsfather,tearsinhiseyes.Hehadbeenstandingthere

listeningtothetale.HewenttoJosiahandheldhisonlysonclose.HethenlookedatRachael,whoinshockhadstoodup,andhuggedheraswell.Jesussmiledatthemall,

andmadehiswayoutofthehome.Jesuswasonlyhappytohelpthem.

CarmenfinishedhertalesmilingatPaolo,andleanedintokissherlove,

muchtothechagrinofMariaandPietro.

Itwasthreeintheafternoon,andyetthemoonshoneuponthestreetsof

Rome.PietroheldtightuponMariashand,astheywalkedamongstmoonlightandthehazylampsglow.Thewintersolsticebyhappenstancehadcomeuponthefinal

SundayofAdvent,andrightfullyso,theyoungestmusttellthefinaltale.Thetwo

finallyreachedPaolosapartment,andPietroopenedthedoor. Areyoureadytotellyourtale,Mimi?PietrobrushedhisthumbonMarias

cheek.MariashookherheadawayfromPietroshand. Absolutely.Itsgoingtobethebestyet.Mariacrossedherarms.Pietro

smiled.

Okok.Theywalkedintotheapartment,wherePaoloandCarmenweresittingatthetable.ThreecandleswereexhaustedleavingthelastAdventcandle,

andthusthelasttale.Greetingtheirfriends,MariaandPietrosatdownatthetable.

Pietrotookthematchboxandstruckamatch.Lightingthelastcandleforhissister,PietrolaidthestageforMariastale.

MystoryiscalledJesusandtheDesertDaemon.Everyonelookedabit

shockedatthetitleofhertale,butlistenedintentlyforthemeaning.

AfterJohntheBaptisthadbeenexecutedbyHerodAntipas,Jesusfledinto

thedeserttoescapetheclutchesofHerodAntipas.Hesaidfarewelltohisfollowers,

andtoldthemthathewouldreturn. ThedesolatedesertgrippedJesus,wringingthemanlikeawetrag.Thesand

stormsflewaroundtherabbi,cuttingintohisskin.ThoughthewindsravishedJesusbody,hecontinuedonwardsintothevoraciousdunes.

Imustfindsheltersoon,orelseIshalldie,Jesusthought.

Jesushuggedhisarmsaroundhisbody,eyespoundedshutbythewhirlingsand.Hecouldnotbeartolookabouthimself,untilthesandsbegantodissipate

aroundhim.Heheldhisgazeup,andbeheldamountaininfrontofhim.Usingthe


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wallasaguide,Jesuslookedforanysignofacave.Afterwhatseemedtobeforever,

henoticedacave,shieldedfromthestorms,amoundofsandleadingtothepassageofthecave.

Thecaveseemedtogoon,aninfinitedwelling.Nooneseemedtolivethere,andtheonlythingJesuscouldsee,wasarocktositupon.Jesussatdownontherock

andexaminedhiscallousedhands.Thecrackswithinhisskinsplitandbledfreshblooddrippingintotherockanddirt.Heliftedhishead,histiredeyesgazinguponthewhirlingsands,tauntingtheverymemoryofthejourney.Jesusheaddrooped

andsoonhewasdeepinaslumber.

Jesusawokeabruptly.Somethinghadjumpedonhisback,andvanishedas

quicklyasithadattacked.Jesusstoodupfromthegroundlookingforhisattacker,butcouldseenoone.

Showyourself!Whoisthere?!Jesusyelledintothedarkness,thestorm

billowingbehindhim. ItisYOUwhoaretrespassing!WhoareYOU!?thevoicewasstrongbutJesus

couldnotseewhereitwascomingfrom.Hesawsomethingrumbleaboutbehindtherock.Inaflash,hisattackerjumpedontopoftherock.Jesuscouldnotbelievewhathewasseeing.Perchedontopoftherockwasafox,butitwaslikenofoxhehad

everseen.Thecreaturewasabrightredandorangecolour,likethatofaflame,hiseyesflickeringwithvibrantheat.Histailwassimilartohiscolour,butwaslarger

thanitsbody.Itwasaboutthesizeofalargeram,itspawsbiggerthanamans

hands.Jesusfeltastrangefearcomeabouthim. Wh-Whoareyou?thequestionquiveredfromhiscrackedlips.

ThecreatureleaneditsbodytowardsJesus.Givemeyourname,andIshallgiveyoumine.

JesusofNazareth.Jesusstoodtalllikeastatue,butdarednotmoveamuscle.

Thecreaturesmiledwithagreat,toothedgrin. Iamcalledbymanynames,butthenameIlikethemostisFelix,theDesert

DaemonKing.Felixbowedhisheadloweringhisears.Jesusdidnotmove,a

shockedlookabouthisface,Felixpeekedathisguesttoseehisreaction. WellmoreofaDaemonPrince,actually.Imeanwhatwithmysizeandall,

Felixcoughedwithacorrection.Jesusbegantowalkbackwardstowardsthecaveopening.Ha,Iamnotgoing

tohurtyou,soyouneednotfearme.Felixstailbristledaboutashebentdownto

cleanit. ButyouareaDaemon.Daemonscorrupteverything,consumeall,andare

completelyevil.Jesusdidnotnoticeabitofsandupontheground,andslippedto

theground.NowhewasbelowFelix,whowasstillcleaninghistail,oblivioustoJesusclumsiness.

HmmmFelixturnedtolookatJesus,hisflickeringeyesunwaveringfromJesusgaze.Hebentforward,eyespeeringintoJesussoul.AreALLhumansevil?

Jesusshookheadindefense.Felixgaveanimmensegrin,pointedteeth

gleamingliketwinklingstarsinthedarkness.ThenhowcanyoutrulysaythatALLDaemonsareevil?Jesuslookeddownattheground,ashamedatthetruthinthe

Daemonslogic.FelixpouncedtothegroundnearJesusfeet;Jesuswasamazedto


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seethatthefoxwasnowthesizeofalargecat,histailunchanged.Jesuscreptback

withcaution,butsatstill. Felixslinkedcloser,smellingJesushands.Thedriedbloodcreatedarancid

stinkinFelixsnostrils.Droppinghisjaw,Felixletoutasoftbreath.ThefragilewispradiatedoverJesushands,lingeringamongstthecracks.Jesushandsgaveoffa

bright,iridescentglowcausingJesustoaverthiseyes.Whenhereturnedhisgaze,hishandswerecompletelyhealed.Jesusexaminedhisnowsmoothhands,eachdigitflutteringwithvirility.Astrangefeelingcameoverhishands,asifhewastouching

thedivine.Jesuslookedbackattheflameliteyeslookingupathim,amazementand

aweabouthisface.Felixgaveaslygrinandwalkedaroundtherock. Jesusdidnotknowwhattosay,andbeforehecouldutteraword,Felixcame

backaroundtherock,returningtohisoriginalsize.Iimagineyouarestarving.Jesusstomachgrumbledatthethoughtoffood,hishungerbecomingmoreofa

realization.Felixsmiledathisguest.Ishallfindsomefoodforyou.Iknowhowyou

humanslovetoeat.AndwiththatFelixboundedoutofthecave,disappearingintothesandstorm.Jesusfeltasleepspellcomeoverhim,thelidsofhiseyesdropping.

Soonhewascurledup,huggingtherocksuncommonlysmoothedsides. HourspassedbybeforeFelixreturnedtothecave.ThefoxDaemonslinkedpasttheslumberingJesus,askinneddesertharelimpinhisjaws.Droppingthehare

totheground,Felixgatheredsomewoodtogetherforafire,pushingtherocktowardsthewallofthecave.ThemovementstirredJesusawake,andwasfrightened

bythenakeddeadharemereinchesawayfromhisface.Hesatup,heaving,gasping

forairfromtheshock.Felixpaidnoattentiontotherumpus,lightingthewoodwiththeflintrockinhispaw.Felixtossedtherockdeeperwithinthecave,causingan

echoingclutterthroughoutthecave.Blowinguponthefire,Felixfinallygotthefiretoaproperheat.

WalkingtowardsthestillpetrifiedJesus,Felixgrabbedthehareinhisjaws

andbegantostrapittoawoodstick.Felixplacedtwosticksoneithersideofthefire,andtheharestrappedstickontop,toroastupontheflames.Jesus,finallycalm

fromtheevents,satdownnearthefire,watchingasFelixturnedtheroastinghare

abovetheflames. Canyouwatchthehareforamoment?Ineedtotakecareofsomething.

Withthat,Felixcanteredintothedarknessofthecave.Jesusturnedthehare,itsjuicescausingthefiretospark.Felixreturnedfromthedarkness,apacketof

parchmentpapersinhismouthandastrangeapparatusoverhiseyes.WhenFelix

camecloser,hedroppedthepacketofparchmentpapersupontheground.Jesuscouldseetheapparatusclearlynow.Itwastwoclearcirclesheldtogetherbyatube

ofmetal.

Whatarethose?Jesusaskedpointingtotheapparatus.Felixstoodonhishindlegs,asurprisedlookinhiseyes.Hetooktheeyewearoffandlookedatthem.

ThesehelpmetoseewhatIreadandwrite.Manyyearsago,anoldmancamebymycave.Iwasmuchyoungerthenandmytailwasnotnearlyasbigand

fluffy.Felixpaddeddownhistailabit.Themancarriedseveralscrollsbeneathhis

robeandseemedtiredfromsomething.Whenheturnedaround,hesawmesittinguponmyrock,andtherewestoodlookingateachother,strangersofthedesert.He

faintedatthesightofmeandhisscrollsfelltotheground.Ijumpedontopofhimto


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makesurehewasstillalive.Hisheartwasstillbeatingandheseemedtobe

breathingallright.Ibreathednearhismouth,andthecracksandwrinklesofhisagedfacewerehealed.Anotherbreathawakenedhiseyes,andtherewewereeyeto

eyeagain.HeaskedmewhoIwasandwebeganthewayyouandIhad.HisnamewasAristides,andhehadbeenworkingonseveralscrollsofancientwisdom.Every

nighthereadmesomeofthepieces,hetaughtmetoreadandwriteinhislanguage,andjustbeforeheleftmycave,hegavemethese.Felixplacedtheeyeglassesuponhisnose,wigglingthemstraight.

Jesustookthehareoffthefire,therichsmellofthesearedfleshfilledthe

cave.Hishungercouldholdhimnolonger,andhethrewmannerstothewayside.Rippingoneofthelegsoff,hesankhisteethintothemeat,thesavoryjuices

enrichinghischeekandtongue.Gulpingdownthefirstbites,helookedbackatFelix,lookingbackwithasurprisedsmileonhisface.Heshookitoffandreturnedtohis

parchments.Jesusnoticedthathehadasmallinkwell,alongwithathinstick.The

foxbegantowritediligentlywhilehisguestatehisfill. WouldyoulikesomeFelix?Felixraisedhisheadfromhiswork.Ohno

thankyou.Idonoteathumanfood.Jesuslookedabitpuzzled,butdecidedtonotquestionthematterfurther. Whatareyouworkingon,Felix?Felixplacedthestickdownandpickedup

oneoftheparchmentstobringtoJesus,layingitdownsotheycouldbothseeit.Jesusstaredatthelanguage,butcouldnotmakeanyofitout.FelixlookedatJesus

darkeyes.

ItisachronicleofeverythingthathashappenedtomesinceAristidestaughtmetowriteandread.Someofmythoughtsaresprinkledinhereandthere,butallin

allitisachronicleofaboutwellletsseeIamabout746yearsoldand Youre746yearsold?!Jesusexclaimed.Felixthoughtforamomenttomake

surehisnumberswereright.Actually,Iam764yearsold.Ialwaysswitchthosetwo

numbers,butstillthatisprettyyoungforaDaemon.Felixgaveasmile,pickinguphisparchmentsanddroppingthembyhisrock.

LookingbacktowardsJesus,henoticedthatthesandstormhadstoppedandmoonlightshonethroughthecaveopening.Felixtookhiseyeglassesoff,andwent

outsideofthecave.Jesusfollowedhimout,curiousashewas.Felixlookedupatthemoonshiningbrightlyuponthesands.

Doyouseeher?FelixaskedJesus,mesmerizedbythemoon.Jesuslooked

confused.AllIseeisthemoon.Whodoyousee?Felixhadagreatsmileacrosshisface.

SheisSelah,mymother.ThisiswhatIfeedon;mymothershinesherlight

uponmeeachnightandquenchesmyhunger.Felixsfurbegantoturnabrightsilvercolour,asifhewasastarshimmeringinthesand.Thelightwassobright;

Jesusheldanarmtocoverhiseyes.Theshimmeringstoppedasacloudmovedpassedthemoon.FelixstoodastallasJesusdidinthedesertsand,backtohis

normal,fierycolour.WalkingpastJesus,thefoxreenteredthecave,Jesusfollowing

suit.


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Doyouwanttohearataleabouther,mymother?FelixaskedJesus.Jesus

satuponthesandyfloor,andturnedhisattentiontothefoxDaemon.Felixcoughedintohispaw,toclearhisthroatandpreparehistale.

Once,whenIwasstillyetastaramongstmymotherswomb,shehadto

settleadisputebetweenhertwobrothers,AmaronandSaturnus.Bothfoughtoverdominionoftheheavens,andfinally,Selahcameupwithaplantoappeasebothbrothers.AmaronwouldruletheportionoftheskyfarfromtheEarth,while

SaturnuswouldrulealongsidemymotherSelah,thedivineguide.

Manyagespassedandbothdominionswereruledfairandwell.However,Saturnuslostcontrolofhisdominion,andshootingstarsandroguecometsraged

theskies.SoonSaturnuswasdecimated,retreatingtotheskyaboveEarth.WhenAmaronhadfoundoutthatSaturnushadreturned,hebecameangryandthreatened

hisdeprivedbrothertoleaveorbedestroyed.Bothbrothersclashedamongstthe

skiesandSelahnoticedthechaosamongsttheEarth.Shestoppedherbrothers,holdingeachoneincheck.SheaskedAmaronwhyhedidnotwishtowelcomehis

ownbrother.AmaronstatedthatSaturnuswishedtomerelyreturnandtakeoverhisdominion.Saturnus,inturn,statedthathedidnotwishthisatall,andmerelywishedtoreturntothelovingcarehisbrotherandsister.Heshowedthemthe

cosmicscarsuponhiscelestialbody.Selah,feelingpityforSaturnusallowedhimtoreturntoskiesofhisbirth,andAmaronacceptedupononecondition:thathegive

allegiancetoAmaron.Selahdidnotagreewiththisandscoldedherbrother,and

declaredforAmaronsinsolence,thatbothbrotherswouldruletheskiesequally,grantingeachanequalityoftime.AndthatishowSelah,mymother,quelledthe

warringbrothers.Felixgavealittlebow,whileJesusclappedatthetale.

Jesusgaveagreatyawn,feelingthetirednessofhisbodyallover.Hesat

downwherehehadsleptbefore,curlingupintothefetalposition.Withinmoments,hewasasleep.FelixcreptovertoJesusslumberingbody,andwhisperedsomething

softlyintohisear,thenboundeduponrockandcurledupforthenight,agrin

spreadingfromcheektocheek.

Whenmorninghadcome,thesunshonebrightlyuponthebrittlesands.Nostormimpededtheeye,andnowindcuttheskin.Felixwasalreadyoutsidewaiting

forhisguest.Jesuswanderedsluggishlyoutintothesunlight,stretchingouthisback

togetridofanykinks.Surprisingly,hefeltabsolutelyrefreshed,likesomethingwithinhimhadawakened,aspiritperhaps.Hecouldnotexplainit,andsodidwhat

manydowhentheycannotexplainsomethingwonderful,simplyacceptedit.

Sonowwherewillyougo,myfriend?FelixsatlookingatJesuseyetoeye.Jesuslookedoutintothedesert.

ItseemslikeforeveragothatIleftmyfriends.PerhapsIshallreturntoGalileeandteachagain.AsmilecameacrossJesusfaceandFelixreciprocated.I

willmissyouFelix.Felixputhispawout;Jesusshookit,asafriendshakesanother

friendshand.AndIyou.Takecareofyourself.Jesusnoddedhisheadandturnedbackintothedesert.Whilewalking,heturnedtoseeifhisnewfriendwasstillthere,

buttherewasnosignofhim,orthecave.Perhapshehadbeendreamingthewhole


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thing.Hadhebeenhallucinatingfromthesuntheentiretime?Jesusshookhishead

andcontinued.However,hedidnotnoticethefootstepsbehindhim,buthedidnoticetheblowtohishead.Thendarknesstookhim,inaroughsleep.

Jesuswokeupwhatseemedtobehourslater,hisarmsboundtoarockwall.

Hewasinacave,notwelcominglikeFelixsbutdark,shadowy.Uponthewallnearhimwerewhipsandrods,nodoubttorturedevicesforthesinistermind. Ah,youareawake.Thenwecanbeginsoon.Thevoicecamefromthe

darkness,andJesusvisionwasstillshakyfromtheblowtothehead.Soonthefigure

cameintofocus.Itwasanolderman,tallbutstooped.Hisbeardwasstraggly,unkemptasifhehadnotbathedinyears.Jesuscouldsmellhimandhisappearance

certainlygaveevidenceofhissmell.HeexaminedJesusfacewithhishands,callousedanddirtyfromdeedsunmentionable.Histeethweredarkenedlikethatof

mudandash,asiffirehadblackenedhisteeth.Avilestenchcamefromhisrotted

mouth,causingJesustoturnhisheadaway,andfightvomit. Wesawyouconversingwiththedemoninthedesertcaves.Nowwemust

cleanseyouofthedemontomakeyouclean.Youcameintothedesertclean,butnowaretaintedbythetouchofthedemon.Andnowmustbecleansed.Runninghishandalongthewalloftorturedevices,hetookaclayjugofwhatJesushopedwas

onlywater. Whoareyoupeople?Jesusaskedintheflickeringlight.

ThemanturnedbacktoJesus,hisfaceintensewiththezealousflicker.We

arethosewhoseewhatothersdonotsee.Wearethosewhospeakwhatothersdarenotspeak.Wearethosewhoventurewhereothersdonotventure.Weareascetics,

friend.Thewordhissedfromthemansmouth.Nowyouwillbecleansed.ThemanforcedJesusmouthopen,preparingtopourtheliquidintohismouth.Aloudnoise

stoppedhim.Heplacedthejugbackuponthetablenearthewallandlefttheroom

toexaminetheclamor. Jesustriedtoforcehisarmsfree,butitwasnouse.Theropebegantoburn

hisharmsasheforcedhisskinagainstit.Butasmallnoisestoppedhismovement.

Pssst.Thesoundcamefromabovehishead,andwhenheturnedhishead,thereweretwoflickeringeyesstaringbackathim.

Felix!Howdidyougetpastthemen?Felixgavealittlelaugh.Theseasceticsdonotseemuchinfrontoftheirfaces.WinkingatJesus,hebegantobiteatJesus

bindings.Cuttinghisrightarmfree,Jesuswasabletoloosentheleftandfree

himself.Nowtheyhadtoescapefromthecaves,carefulnottoalerttheascetics.Felix

creptinfront,leadingthewaythroughthedarkness.Theycametoaforkinthe

caves,andFelixcouldnotrememberwhichonetochoose.UmmmIthinkitsthisway.Anaceticnoticedtheminthepassagewayand

shoutedanalarm.Run!Illtakecareoftheseworms!Jesuslingeredforabit,butthenranfor

theexittothecaves.

Jesusmadeitoutintothedesertandwanderedforsometime.Heheldhisposition,wonderingifhisfriendhadescapedaswell.Hedidnotwanttothinkofthe

alternative.Lookingbacktowardsthecave,hepondered.


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Youwillnevermakeitbackhomeifyoukeepstopping.Jesusturnedtosee

wherethevoicewascomingfrom,andsureenough,therewasFelixstandingrightinfrontofhim.JesusranandhuggedthefoxDaemon,whoafterabitofshockplaced

oneofhispawsaroundJesus.Whathappened?Howdidyougetaway?Felixsimplygrinned.

WellweDaemonshavetobegoodatgettingOUToftroubleoncewereINtrouble.JesuscouldonlysmilebackathisDaemonfriend.Besides,nowthatImyourDaemon,howcouldInothelpyou?Jesuslookedabitpuzzled,andwithawisp

ofwind,Felixwasgone.

Jesuscouldhearafaintvoiceintheair.Ishallbewithyoualways.Jesussmiledandmadehiswayoutofthedesertandbackhome.

Marialookedateveryoneatthetable.Eachofthemlookedastoundedatthe

child.Thelastcandlewasdroopingfaster,andthefourfriendscouldseethatit

wouldbedifficulttotopthistalenextAdvent.Withthatending,Pietroblewoutthecandles,welcomingtheChristmasseasontocome.

Documents

The Advent Carols