It's the mid of winter, in the Hebrew month of tewet, but seasons are quite uniform in this area that the Roman soldiers call Arabia Petraea. But despite the purposeful activity, it is clear that they cannot set out any time soon. The night has brought with it a thick haze and the sky is clouded out. They are without directions. Since they began their journey many weeks ago, the men were following a heavenly guide, a shining light in the western sky with sometimes dazzling brightness.
Stars shine with coldness out of distant depths of the universe.
This light has never appeared cold nor distant. It does not flicker. Its light is warm, often colourful. It's like the lantern at the home's front door. Richard Rosen and his children, 10-year old daughter Rebecca and son David, almost three years old, are walking over to Rebecca's school where there will be a Christmas singing.