The days passed like a dream. Seeker and Beautiful were inseparable by day—she sat with him as he studied, and they read her Book together. Sometimes she couldn’t resist visiting him in his dreams. But he always made sure she had enough rest to wake refreshed the next morning.
At last, Christmas Eve arrived. When they reached Kind’s tent, Liora greeted Seeker with a warm hug.
“Hello, Miss Beautiful,” Tirzah said, smiling sweetly. Then she turned her piercing eyes on Seeker. “It’s about time.”
They ate a humble meal together by candlelight, then stepped outside. Around a nearby campfire, the shepherds were already gathering.
Kind began to speak:
It came to pass in those days that the ruler of Vanity determined to tax the world. And Joseph went up to Sincere to be taxed with his betrothed wife, Mary, who was with child.
Now when they arrived, her time came to give birth, and she brought her firstborn son and laid him in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in the Delectable Mountains watching their sheep by night.
And a Shining One appeared to them, and the glory of the King shone around them, and they were sore afraid. Then the Shining One said, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all people.
“Today, in Sincere the Prince is born who will save his people.
“And this will be the sign to you: you will find the baby, wrapped and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly with the Shining One was a multitude praising the King and singing.
“Glory be to the King in the highest heavens, and peace to earth, good will to men.”
When the Shining One was gone, the shepherds went and found the baby, wrapped and lying in a manger, just as he said.
Kind paused and gestured toward a bright star shining in the sky, which had appeared while he was speaking.
When Emmanuel was born in Sincere, Wise Men came from afar, following His star. The star went before them until it stopped at the place the baby was. When they entered the house, they found the baby with his mother, Mary, and they fell down and worshipped Him. They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The shepherds began trading small gifts. Seeker gave Beautiful a handbag he had made for her with his own hands. And Beautiful gave Seeker a music-box—it played his favorite song.
One by one, the shepherds left quietly. Kind and Liora bid Seeker and Beautiful good night and invited them to sit by the fire as long as they liked.
They sat there long after the fire had died, the embers glowing faintly in the dark. Beautiful fell asleep leaning against him, and Seeker nodded off beside her.
He woke to find his lips inches from hers. The fragrance of wheat fields on her intoxicated him. Her breath, slow and steady, brushed against his face. He leaned in and kissed her, tenderly.
He pulled away and gazed at her sleeping face—her hair, her eyes, her lips. Oh, her lips. She opened her eyes and smiled—the smile he loved so much. The sky seemed to light up, dimming even the Christmas star. She leaned in and kissed him, then slowly pulled away.
They stared, lost in each other’s gaze. Then they both leaned in and kissed passionately.
