Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
Dear Aunt Elizabeth,
it has been just over a week since the birth of Jesus. He is growing stronger every day, and I am healing well. We are still in the stable, but the weather has been fair and mild. The animals have been spending nights tethered outside instead of in with us. That makes things much more pleasant. I am a little unsettled though. I had a dream that disturbed me and made me sit and think this morning very early, while Joseph was still asleep. It was a dream where the angel appeared to me, and oh, how I remember that moment so vividly! That life changing moment! It changed everything for me. Dreaming again of that moment, it seemed as if I was still at home, still secure, no baby or husband and obviously no stable! I awoke with a sense of anxiety for the coming days, although I do not remember why. The angel had more to say to me but I woke up! I wanted to hear him again but I could not return to sleep.
We are hoping to return home soon, as I am healing quite quickly and the baby is sturdy and strong. Mama and Papa sent a letter with great hope and joy to see him. They want to celebrate when we arrive home. The roman population here celebrated rather loudly last night. It seems that it is their new year, and they drink and party like fools. Maybe that is why I was disturbed in sleep, but somehow there seemed more to it. God is doing a new thing with us and sometimes I am clueless as to how to live and go forward. Pray that I am able to go forward with faith.
much love,
Mary
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