Salome, the innkeeper, met Mary and Joseph at the Nativity scene. Seeing the Baby Jesus, she couldn’t help but feel a special connection. “What are you doing here, child? Who taught you to put diapers on a child? Come on, let me have it, I can see you’re a first-timer,” said Salome lovingly. Mary, with her characteristic sweetness, answered: “I’ve done it before: I’ve cared for many newborns in Nazareth. And I was even a midwife when my cousin Elizabeth had her son. Of course, it’s not the same with Jesus…” with a smile, Salome said: “So his name is Jesus… He’s beautiful. You’ve already noticed, right? Of course, what are you going to say… But I’ve been in this business for many years, and I’ve never seen such a beautiful creature…”
With her love and dedication, she became Baby Jesus’ guardian angel. She gently washed his diapers and looked after him while Mary and Joseph rested. Her humility and unconditional love made her worthy of this divine honour. “Oh, Lady Mary, how embarrassing! How was I supposed to know that you were the Mother of the Messiah?… And the Child… so normal, so sleepy… How horrible! What you must have thought of me. Besides, you are so young! A little girl, admit it; and of course, although one is used to dealing with people of rank (I won’t even tell you about those who pass by the inn where I work), it is not the same; because they give themselves importance, and they go around snobby, they hardly even look at you. However, you… That is why when Zabulon (that boy, you should see, he even looks smart) told me that you… you know. Well, I don’t know if I have to call you Your Majesty, or how to say what I want to tell you… Well, these are the diapers, and if you want I will wash them again, or do what you say; but I am not leaving here. That’s it,” said Salome with tears in her eyes.
Mary, with her kindness and understanding, calmed Salome. “Don’t cry, Salome, don’t worry… Thank you very much for your help…” Joseph, with a smile, said: “Look, Salome, here I am making a crib for Jesus with some wood that a shepherd brought me. What do you think?” Salome, excited, replied: “A very good idea, Mr. Joseph. (Thoughtfully) The fact is that I had already noticed something. It was clear right away that you were a distinguished couple. (To Joseph) You, so tall, so formal, so gentlemanly despite being so young… Because you, what are you, twenty? No, don’t tell me. (To Mary) And you, Mary…, there aren’t any around here as pretty as you. It’s just that you look with such a little face… (To Joseph) Have you noticed, Mr. Joseph?”
Salome, with her love and attention, looked after the Child Jesus while Mary and Joseph rested. “Now you must get some sleep, it has been a tiring day. Mary, leave the Child with me so you can rest, as you are in a delicate state. I will look after him while you sleep,” said Salome. Mary, with a smile, gave the Child to her and sat down to rest. Joseph, with a smile, said: “Well, that makes two of us, because I must be as fit as a fiddle.” Salome, with a smile, said: “You are so funny, my son, so sleepy! Forgive me for calling you that, but it seems strange to me to address you as Your Majesty. And what’s more, after seeing how you dirty your diapers, you really have no consideration for your Mother. (Looking at Mary) Poor thing, look how tired she is, and how well she sleeps… Tomorrow I will come to an agreement with her and your father, to see if I can stay. I won’t ask much of her, just a couple of afternoons off will be enough for me, and… Wow! Now you open your eyes. You won’t think of crying, will you? Don’t worry, my Child, I won’t leave You. So now you laugh, can I know what it is that makes you so funny? My God, what will I give to the children, who all end up laughing as soon as they look at my face!”
The angels, observing the scene, commented on the importance of Salome in the Nativity scene. “Look, East: Take a look at the rest of this world that God has chosen to be born in. You will see millions of people; and, in no time, in a few centuries, there will be billions. Some will work the land; others will extract the energy that God enclosed in matter; some will try to imitate the Creator himself, trying to bring new universes out of their brushes, their hands or their pens… You will see above all merchants: Mountains of people selling and buying anything real or imaginary (houses, seas, rights, time, numbers…) They themselves will suspect that they are mad, but they will remain hooked on their madness. And look especially at those who govern: Kings, tribunes, presidents… Soon their voices will become booming and they will sincerely believe that the world revolves around them…” said Raphael. Michael, with a smile, said: “Now look at Salome… Who do you think is more important?”
Article based on the book, The Nativity Scene that God Set Up
