JOSEPH is not looking forward to telling three wise men from the East that with the shepherds and the angels they already have a three-bubble gathering.
The stepfather of Jesus had planned a traditional Christmas in a stable in Bethlehem but recognises that, under Covid rules, there is no way a trio of Oriental kings can join the party.
He said: “We were expecting it to be just me and the wife, and of course the ox and the ass, and to be honest we were happy with that. But King Herod’s changed the rules because he hates to look like the bad guy.
“So the shepherds arrived, then the angels of the Lord came down and you can’t really say no, then I looked up and there’s this star directly above the stable and I’m like ‘Uh-oh.’
“They’ve come a long way, they’ve brought gifts, and yes it’s rude to leave them outside but come on. They’re not even one household.
“I know kids can’t usually get it, even more so with his holy radiance, but if the Roman census-takers catch us we’ll be fined 10,000 shekels and I’m a self-employed carpenter.
“I’ll just have to say sorry, there’s no room at the stable attached to the inn, we’re just following yonder science. Maybe Easter?”
