Too long, thought Mary. We lingered too long in Bethlehem. Unconsciously, she shifted her hips and shoulders back and forth to compensate for the rolling gait of the camel. Bethlehem was many days behind now, and Heliopolis in Egypt was many scorching, weary days ahead. Mary hated traveling, and that was one reason they had remained in Bethlehem nearly two years.

At first, Joseph insisted they remain in the City of David long enough for her to rest after the birth. And then they decided to let little Jesus grow a bit stronger and hardier before undertaking the hard trip back to Nazareth. It wasn't long before Joseph found work, though, and he did have family ties in Bethlehem.

Secretly, Mary was relieved that she did not yet have to face the gossips and scandal-mongers of Nazareth, the head-wagging old women who counted to nine on their fingers and then smiled knowingly.

Bethlehem was a pleasant little town, not too far from Jerusalem. Mary's life had settled into a comfortable normalcy there. Until the arrival of the strangers. Foreigners from the East. Star-gazers who swept into Mary's placid life with extravagant gifts and talk of a baby king. Then they were gone again and took Mary's peace with them. The whole town was talking and wondering.

Two days later, Joseph woke her gently. He had a sad look in his eyes. "Get our things together," he said. "I've had another one of those dreams. We're leaving tomorrow. For Egypt."

Jesus stirred in Mary's arms and moaned softly. She brushed sweaty hair from his forehead. "Rest a while longer," she whispered. "We'll be stopping soon." Miles ahead, barely visible, was a slash of greenery which bespoke a watering hole. Old Ishma, the caravan master, had promised they would camp beside fresh water tonight. And although she did not particularly like the rough and grizzled leader of the caravan, she had to admit that he was as good as his word.

They were fortunate to have attached themselves to a caravan with such short notice. They could have moved more quickly on their own, but in the desert numbers meant safety. So they had joined up with Ishma's group: several dozen camels and donkeys carrying a few families and quite a bit of trade goods. Of course, Ishma had not welcomed them entirely out of kindness. Much of the gold from the wise man had ended up in the camel-driver's purse to pay for their passage.

They reached the oasis before sunset. The animals were unloaded, watered and provendered. By dusk, cooking fires were burning throughout the camp as each family prepared its own meal. The caravan hands ate together, and after supper most of the travelers gathered around the central fire for conversation. Joseph and Mary found room on the outskirts of the group, but Jesus toddled into the inner circle and settled beside a few other youngsters who were sitting at Ishma's feet. The camel driver fancied himself a lively story-teller, and he loved to regale the children with tales from his travels.