Shocks of pain shot through Miryam's body. She sat on the cave floor, feeling the cold stone floor under her feet through her worn-out sandals. Her bottom throbbed from sitting on the stone.
"Eema," Miryam said between gasps. "He's coming. Please be here with me."
She opened her hand, and Jochobed grasped it.
"I'm right here," she reassured Miryam.
"Yosef!" Miryam called.
Yosef ran his hand along the crack in the manger.
"We need something to make him more comfortable," he said, "especially with this crack."
"And something to wrap him in," Miryam added. "Is that the manger you were supposed to rebuild for Micah and Daniel?"
Yosef grunted and muttered, "Never mind about that."
He looked around the room. Micah and Daniel had left wads of cloth that they used for the Levitical lambs.
"Cloths," he said. "Over there."
He retrieved them from their place in the corner. He cushioned the manger with one wad.
"Thank you, Yosef," Miryam whispered.
"He's our baby," Yosef said. "And he's the future King of Israel. I will do anything. You never have to doubt."
He squatted near Miryam.
"I only wish I had more money," he said with a sigh.
Silence fell while another shock of pain went through Miryam. She felt liquid seep between her legs.
"Adonai will provide," she said.
"Just like he did for our father Abraham," Jochobed chimed in.
"And like he did for Moses, some waters have been parted," Miryam said, pointing at the puddle of amniotic fluid underneath her.
"He's coming!" Jochobed exclaimed.