Mary Letters - Day 29

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-30 

Dear Auntie,

we took our sweet little baby to the temple today for his dedication.  The crowds are so overwhelming I didn't think we would get anywhere. Two kind elders found us and helped us to do the rituals in the proper places. They were so old and seemingly so fragile, but as we handed our baby to the elderly man named Simeon for the blessing, it was as if the light surrounded them both and the old became lively and young again. The old woman named Anna looked glowing too and both thanked us for the privilege of serving us! Can you imagine? They said they felt God had blessed them both by being present at this momentous time! We didn't look too great as we have been staying in a barn, but they treated us like royalty and invited us to dine with them.

I am always amazed about how God works. When I Ieast expect it, and often when I am weakest in my faith. our Lord sends just the right people and the right sign to help us and affirm this child. This sweet, gentle little boy has already transformed our lives and seems to transform everyone we encounter. The folks at the Inn have made provisions for us so that we can stay until I am strong enough to travel a distance. The women on the street seem to want to visit with us all the time! We have food and shelter enough for many.

Dear Auntie, I really don't any more understand how our Lord works, but I am grateful more and more to be God's servant. I have to learn to trust and put one foot in front of the other. God walks with us even when I struggle and stumble!

love,

Mary