The Epiphany - Last Mary Letter

                  For Sunday, January 6th - The Feast of the Epiphany

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the

 East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?

 For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King

 Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together 

all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was 

to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when

 the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently

 for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay

 him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went

 the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was

. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering 

the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him 

homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, 

and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their

 own country by another road. Matthew 2:1-12 

Dear Elizabeth,

I write to you in great haste, and will send this letter with a shepherd who has 

agree to carry it to you. Everything we hoped would be happening today has

been changed. Let me tell you what happened.

We were visited by three chieftains from the far east. They came with camels

and attendants - like nothing I had ever seen! Their servants came into the 

stable, looking for a king! We told them this was the child they sought and then

these amazing and exotic men came in! They were dressed in their best regalia,

decorated with rare gems and shells. We could hardly believe it! They gave us

some amazing and expensive gifts which we tried to refuse but they insisted. And 

then, they broke our hearts with the news.

They had been to see Herod, thinking a child was born in his household. Herod

was furious and asked them to find our child. Before arriving here, they all had 

visions that we were no longer safe here and needed to escape not only this city

 but this country! They will take another way home for fear of Herod. They have 
made arrangements for us to be escorted out and the necessary papers for us to 
travel into Egypt! I am so scared!

We will be strangers in a strange land, Auntie! And here I was so looking to 
come home and see Momma and Poppa. I cannot hold back the tears! But we
must trust God, and so far, we have been kept safe, despite being strangers in 
this city. Oh, I ache to be home, to see you, to gather my family together! But,
it is not to be! Please let Momma and Poppa know we will be in touch when
we can. 

Please pray for our safety, our child, our lives! Everything seems so uncertain
tonight. God bless you, Elizabeth!

love always,

Mary

The Collect -O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples

 of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see

 your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and

 the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.