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 fulfil 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 Elizabeth,
I am writing to you because I really wish we could be together and you could counsel me. I do not want to frighten Mama and Papa, but things seem really dangerous here. Reports are coming from many people that there is a child who the governor wants to destroy. There were troops traveling the nearby road looking for little boys especially. Since our dwelling is off the back of the inn we were safe from their inquiries for now. I am staying inside with our little boy during the daytime. I would love to take him out to walk in the market and greet our neighbors but I fear for his life. How could God call us to be the parents of this wonder child, only to put his life in danger so quickly. Joseph is almost finished with the business at hand. We may have to come to your house before heading home. No one would know us in your district.
We sit outside on cool nights looking up at the stars. Joseph often sings to our little one, who love to reach up for the stars. He delights in the night sky and the many bright stars away from the light and noise of the city. We feel safe at night. We are very careful and our hosts have been good about covering for us. If someone asks who we are, they make up pretty convincing stories. It won't last forever, we know, so we are making several plans to find a way back to you and then on to home. Joseph worries a good deal but remains calm and reassures me when I am troubled. He reminds me that God brought us this far, and we must trust God to get us through. Pray for us, please. I fear the days ahead might be more challenging and scary than we had hoped.
love,
Mary
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