Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall be acceptable on my altar, and I will glorify my glorious house. Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? For the coastlands shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. Isaiah 60:1-9
Dearest Auntie,
I write to you with a tear-stained face and a heart beating loudly in my chest. We are traveling tonight but we are not going home! I can hardly breathe! Here's what happened. As you know the soldiers have been everywhere looking for a little Jewish baby boy who is a threat to Herod. I guess I didn't think that it was really and tried to put it out of my mind. Now, Auntie, it's real and right here in our faces.
Last night in the very deepest darkness, three chiefs from some foreign tribes, came seeking the boy. We tried to hide him away, but they came in anyway. They looked, spoke and smelled so strange. We were both sleepy and terrified! We couldn't understand them, but they had servants with them who translated for us. The servants finally told us that they had come to worship the baby as they had been following the star. They told us that he is the light of the world, long awaited and needed here now! Then they apologized for going to the palace first and are ashamed they alerted Herod. They brought us gifts, extraordinary gifts, which we will treasure forever. The gold they brought might just see us through until we can go home.
They warned us not to try to return home as people were looking for us along the roads. Rebecca and Isaac, as well as the children came when they heard all the fuss and suggested they had family in Egypt to stay with for a time. The three chiefs verified that going to Egypt might be best. Joseph didn't agree at first, but this morning he told me he had a dream telling him to go to Egypt. So here we go, and I'm truly terrified. Please get word to Mama and Papa, And please, pray for us.
all my love,
Mary
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