Long Ago in Bethlehem (A Return for the Birth)

This deeply personal and spiritually evocative narrative blends memoir, poetic reflection, and imaginative storytelling to recount a miraculous journey back to the night of Christ’s birth. The story begins with my raw and heartfelt preface, where I share my painful past—losing my father, spiraling into addiction and despair, and ultimately finding redemption through divine intervention. A poem written in jail on Christmas Eve became the seed for this transformative tale.
Structured in five parts, the book follows my narrative on Christmas Eve as I reflect on the hollow commercialization of the holiday and pray for a deeper understanding of its true meaning. My plea is answered in a dreamlike yet vivid journey through time, where I awaken in ancient Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’s birth.
From a hidden vantage point in a stable, I witness Mary and Joseph’s arrival, their exhaustion, and the sacred birth of Jesus. An angel commands me to remain silent but grants me a divine gift: to be seen and acknowledged by the newborn Christ. The moment of eye contact becomes a soul-altering experience, filling me with grace, peace, and a profound sense of purpose.
Upon returning to my own time, I find a piece of straw in my hand—a tangible token of the miracle I witnessed. The story closes with a reflection on the enduring meaning of Christmas, stripped of spectacle and rooted in divine love, humility, and hope.