Gold, frankincense, myrrh… and Greyhound tickets…

Whatever happened to the gifts of the Magi?

When José and María and made a run for the border (Matt. 2:13-23) — with little Jesús in their arms — did they leave the gold, frankincense and myrrh behind? Maybe some was sent off to Nazareth to be invested in a carpentry shop, but I expect tit went into false Egyptian work permits for José — and bribes for the the Roman cops and paying Egyptian polleros.

When the Family set off across the desert, did José have a job waiting in Alexandria? Did María expect to scrub Egyptian toilets for a few years? Did they have to deal with “Hieroglphics Only” movement conservatives, or were they lucky to find someone with rudimentary Aramaic.

Did they run into an Egyptian Andrea Peacock?

As we watched, the agent from the backyard marched four short, stocky men wearing layers of dark green and brown clothing, each with their hands on the shoulder of the man in front of him, into the van. … Four, Donna said, had gotten away.

We had a good half-hour before Donna knocked: “How’s your Spanish?” she asked….

The 30-minute drive to Tucson felt unreal, like a dream or a movie. The whole day has passed this way, as though the hours were lifted out of ordinary time….we see their tracks in the pecan groves, find their belongings discarded (backpacks, children’s shoes) and reason that they must have had to run… But other than these signs, their lives never cross with ours. The entire day, I realize, has been a gift.

… At the bus station, I went in first and bought the tickets. The agent wanted names: I was too tired to think on my feet and gave her my own, Donna’s too. …

Back out in the parking lot we gathered their gear. Wearing my clothes, Donna’s makeup and carrying some old travel bags and purses we pressed upon them, they looked like Americanas.

… The bus would make some stops, altos, para mas gente, mas personas. They should stay on. I had to look up this last word: quedarse. She understood. Donna bought a bunch of candy and stuffed it-along with a change purse full of cash-in their bags. We hugged, and Jessie held me in a long, strong grip. Their bus was called; they headed for the door: puerto tres. We stood back, held our breaths as they passed the ticket taker, then waved one last time as they passed the window on their way to board.