Mary Letter Day 15 - Advent 3

Third Sunday of Advent, Year A

December 15, 2019

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you."

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;

the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;

the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.

No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;

they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:1-10

Dear Elizabeth,

I am so tired. I seem to get bigger every day and it has become work for me to get around. I am so awkward and enormous! Momma tries to comfort me and tell me I am doing fine, but I feel like a mess most of the time. She laughs at me, and said all of this is normal. Glad she can find humor in my situation.

The wise women came and examined me. I'm not sure I will ever recover from the embrarassment. They listen to my belly, prodded and poked me and looked in places that, - well, they sure didn't belong. They talked and laughed and said I was in fine shape, a healthy mom and a healthy baby. They gave me some cream to rub in unmentionable places and asked if I needed a demonstration! I was mortified and politely declined. Ugh. They thought is was all so wonderful as I lay dying of embarrassment. 

The women are going to gather some items for me and the baby. They think I'll be able to get back home before my due date, but, just in case they want me to have some supplies with me. They are going to speak with Joseph about emergency measures and people to reach out to for help on our trip.

The plans are coming together for our travels to the city. We are going to have to take the long way there, to avoid trouble and the steeper hills. We are hoping to set up with relatives and family friends, but that isn't going all too well. I keep praying that God will create a clear hghway for us, a safe journey and a quick return home. I really want to have Momma by my side when the time comes.

love,

Mary

Collect

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen