Mary and Joseph weren’t the only ones turned away from the inn at Bethlehem. In this new Nativity story, a widower named Micah travels the crowded road to return to the town of his birth. Just in front of him a young woman, heavy with child, rides on the back of a donkey. Her husband leads the way, walking slowly to make the ride smoother.

Every so often the young woman turns toward Micah, offering gentle words of encouragement as he hobbles along behind them. And each time they stop for water, she makes sure that her husband offers Micah a sip.

When they arrive at Bethlehem, Micah and the young couple go their separate ways. Micah wearily wanders the streets for shelter, a place to eat, and some way to fill his loneliness. Although he doesn’t receive what he wants, he does receive what he needs—a warm quilt, a loaf of bread, and in the end, an invitation to come inside a small stable.