First Sunday After Christmas - Mary Letter Day Twenty Five

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

Dear Mama,

We are safe here in Bethlehem, despite the recent horrific events. I still cannot get the sound of parents' screams and the waling from my head! They shake me to my core. We are carful and pretty much in hiding still, particularly during the day. If we need any food or supplies, Joseph picks them up for us. He is still waiting for final papers but has been so diligent! He comes back every day disappointed but will not give up or be deterred. He is very protective of us both but is never harsh or unkind. We have fun just playing with the baby and talking together. He regals me with funny stories from him life. I'm not sure they are all true but I enjoy hearing them and laughing together.

We do sit out a night in the cool air, but we are careful to sit in an area away from the road and hidden from view. Despite the fact that we are in the city, the night sky is lit up with stars and the brightest save ever seen! We sit out and rock the baby, gazing up and whispering about out future back home. We are both so excited to show you and Papa this beautiful little boy. He is so handsome! I know all mothers say that about their babies, but, you will agree with me when you see him. We are so anxious to be back home!  Joseph has been gathering supplies for out journey home with the help of the innkeepers and some new friends we have met here. Please pray that the papers will be ready and we can start out home. I ache to see you and Papa again!

Love,

Mary

A Sunday Litany New Year's Eve 2023

Wondrous Creator, you made our world round

so we might see that all thing turn and change

you gave us seasons of much light and darkness

so we can understand plenty and want everywhere.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love.

Our world is gripped by violence and unceasing wars

holy places are being bombed and holy people dying

it feels as if there are no answers for such horrors

yet you have sent us your love in the Prince of Peace.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love.

Lift the whole world up and turn us all again

help us to face our fractures and our great failings

make us those who repair and renew the earth

and let us be those who love beyond all borders.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love.

You knew the dangers Mary and Joseph faced

and brought them safely from shadow to light.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love.

We are full of fear and feel powerless to change

yet you are our God who makes us and heals us.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love.

Bless us as we turn away from this old year

and give us your heart of love to carry into the new one.

Prince of peace, draw near and shower the world with love. Amen

Mary Letter Day Twenty Four

1 The king rejoices in 

your strength, O Lord; * 

how greatly he 

exults in your victory! 

2 You have given 

him his heart's desire; * 

you have not denied him 

the request of his lips. 

3 For you meet him 

with blessings of prosperity, * 

and set a crown of 

fine gold upon his head. 

4 He asked you for life, 

and you gave it to him: * 

length of days, for ever and ever. 

 5 His honor is great, 

because of your victory; * 

splendor and majesty have 

you bestowed upon him. 

 6 For you will give 

him everlasting felicity * 

and will make him glad 

with the joy of your presence. 

7 For the king puts 

his trust in the Lord; * 

because of the loving-kindness 

of the Most High, he will not fall. 

8 Your hand will lay 

hold upon all your enemies; * 

your right hand will seize 

all those who hate you. 

9 You will make them 

like a fiery furnace * 

at the time of your appearing, O Lord; 

10 You will swallow them 

up in your wrath, * 

and fire shall consume them. 

11 You will destroy their 

offspring from the land *

and their descendants from 

among the peoples of the earth. 

12 Though they intend evil against 

you and devise wicked schemes, * 

yet they shall not prevail. 

13 For you will put them to flight * 

and aim your arrows at them. 

14 Be exalted, O Lord, in your might; * 

we will sing and praise your power. Psalm 21

Dear Auntie,

I am sorry for not writing for a few days. We have been in deep hiding afraid for the baby and afraid for our lives. The world around us is in deep mourning. Mothers and fathers across the city crying for their young boys slaughtered for no reason. A selfish tyrant afraid of a child? So desperately afraid that he would destroy families forever? I do not understand at all and wonder why our Lord would give this world a child pf promise, only to let others be taken. You cannot imagine the sound of this kind of heartache. Fortunately, no one related to our innkeepers was killed, but many people in nearby settlements have been. We sit and shake our heads and hold the little baby ever closer.

There seems like the world around us is in chaos, while our little family is blessed. Despite the fact that we are living with the animals, we have enough food, are warm and dry, and the innkeepers treat us like family. I sometimes feel ashamed when I know that so many have lost so much. I also know that our job is to care for this little boy, keeping him safe for the sake of the whole world. I just wish there wasn't so much pain surrounding us in this sacred land. 

I got word from Mama and Papa that they were concerned for us and the baby. We send word back of our safety and asked them to keep our location a complete secret. We promised to start making our way home as soon as we possibly can. The road back should be easier, as I am feeling stronger and sturdier every day. We have made a baby carrier, fashioned after what the local women use, so that we can both carry Jesus on our journey. I am hoping we can stop and see you and little John on our way back home.

Much love,

Mary

Mary Letter Day Twenty Three

1 Why are the nations 

in an uproar? * 

Why do the peoples 

mutter empty threats? 

2 Why do the kings of the 

earth rise up in revolt, 

and the princes plot together, * 

against the Lord 

and against his Anointed? 

3 "Let us break their yoke," they say; * 

"let us cast off their bonds from us." 

4 He whose throne is 

in heaven is laughing; * 

the Lord has them in derision. 

5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, * 

and his rage fills them with terror. 

6 "I myself have set my king * 

upon my holy hill of Zion." 

7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord: * 

he said to me, "You are my Son; 

this day have I begotten you. 

8 Ask of me, and I will give you 

the nations for your inheritance * 

and the ends of the earth for your possession. 

 9 You shall crush them with an iron rod * 

and shatter them like a piece of pottery." 

10 And now, you kings, be wise; * 

be warned, you rulers of the earth. 

11 Submit to the Lord with fear, * 

and with trembling bow before him; 

12 Lest he be angry and you perish; * 

for his wrath is quickly kindled. Psalm 2

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

After enjoying several walks with the baby, I was alerted by Anna to stay indoors, hidden, for the next few days. Somehow the occupying government heard that there was a boy born to be king and the Emperor has sent soldiers to destroy him. I am so scared! Who would send soldiers to kill children? What kind of monster sees a baby as a threat. We are not terrorists, but we are hiding here in this barn, praying that they don't find my precious little one. The animals are pretty noisy so hopefully they will cover the sounds of a baby. Anna has also cleared the loft of this barn and laid out a straw bed for us so we can sleep and hide up there. She and her husband have been wonderful to us, and I don't know how to repay her. I have to believe that God provided this unusual place because the people were so good. The accommodations really don't matter if the folks around are loving and kind.

Joseph didn't go out today because he feels he wants to stay and protect us. He believes that soldiers could follow him here and find the baby. He is probably right, although it is another delay for our paperwork. Keeping this little boy alive is more important than anything! The Lord put him within me and gave us charge to keep hi8m safe. That is what we'll do, although, I feel so unprepared. Everything we have needed our Lord has provided. I have to remember that.

Joseph is a perfect example of a doting father. When the baby cries, he picks him up and walks him around singing all the while. He takes the child from me when I look tired and tells me to sleep. I know he wants the baby all to hi8mself! 

Auntie, pray that we can be kept safe in the coming days. I hear the feet of the soldiers, and the clank of their weapons passing by and wonder when they will find us. It is so very frightening! So far, we are safe, and I pray it will stay that way.

Love,

Mary

Mary Letter Day Twenty Two

1 The Lord is King; 

let the earth rejoice; * 

let the multitude 

of the isles be glad. 

 2 Clouds and darkness 

are round about him, * 

righteousness and justice 

are the foundations of his throne. 

3 A fire goes before him * 

and burns up his 

enemies on every side. 

4 His lightnings light up the world; * 

the earth sees it and is afraid. 

 5 The mountains melt like wax 

at the presence of the Lord, * 

at the presence of the 

Lord of the whole earth. 

6 The heavens declare 

his righteousness, * 

and all the peoples see his glory. 

7 Confounded be all who worship 

carved images and delight in false gods! * 

Bow down before him, all you gods. 

8 Zion hears and is glad, 

and the cities of Judah rejoice, * 

because of your judgments, O Lord. 

9 For you are the Lord, 

most high over all the earth; * 

you are exalted far above all gods. 

10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; *

he preserves the lives of his saints 

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 

11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, * 

and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted. 

12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, * 

and give thanks to his holy Name. Psalm 97

Dear Mama and Papa,

This little boy is such a delight! He eats like a hungry little bear, and then he sleeps so deeply, like and angel. When he is awake he is gurgling as if he's trying to sing already. I am mending quite well from the ordeal of delivery and have been checked regularly by the wise women here. They finally let me get up and walk around the community. I strapped the baby to me with a blanket, just as you had taught me. It was so noisy and the smells of the city overwhelmed me, so before long I had to find a quieter place to sit and think as I was getting tired very quickly. We sat by a stream, the baby cuddled against me, and I wondered about all the things that have happened in the past months and the past days. You all have been so patient with me and I am so grateful for your love.

I had to sit and think about the consequences of saying yes to God. It has caused so many problems for me, for Jospeh and for both of you. I guess I was expecting things to come easy after seeing the angel and hearing God's invitation. Now I realize that life is hard, whether we do God's will or not. God is with us on the good days and the challenging ones, and always finds people to encourage us and care for us along the way. When I got back from my walk, Anna was fretting. I had only been gone a half an hour. She had a wonderful supper prepared for us, and Joseph was ravenous. He has been such a good father, rocking the little one and really delighting in even the challenging baby chores. I am so grateful for him. We are still waiting on the paperwork so we can return home.

Much love,

Mary

Mary Letter Day Twenty One

1 O Lord, I call to you; my Rock,

do not be deaf to my cry; * 

lest, if you do not hear me, 

I become like those 

who go down to the Pit. 

2 Hear the voice of my prayer 

when I cry out to you, * 

when I lift up my hands 

to your holy of holies. 

 3 Do not snatch me away with 

the wicked or with the evildoers, * 

who speak peaceably 

with their neighbors, 

while strife is in their hearts. 

 4 Repay them

according to their deeds, * 

and according to the 

wickedness of their actions. 

5 According to the work of

their hands repay them, * 

and give them their just deserts. 

6 They have no understanding 

of the Lord's doings, 

nor of the works of his hands; * 

therefore he will break them 

down and not build them up. 

7 Blessed is the Lord! * 

for he has heard the voice of my prayer. 

8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; * 

my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped; 

9 Therefore my heart dances for joy, * 

and in my song will I praise him. 

10 The Lord is the strength of his people, * 

a safe refuge for his anointed. 

11 Save your people and bless your inheritance; * 

shepherd them and carry them for ever. Psalm 28

Dear Auntie,

He's here and he's perfect! I am so sore from labor, but it was all worth it! We are still in Bethlehem, as Joseph is still waiting for the paperwork to be done and now, the wise women do not want me to travel for a while. They have been coming twice a day to check on me and are giving me tea and compressing to help with the bleeding. Anna the innkeeper, has been overwhelming us with food and care. Her grandchildren live faraway, so she is treating me like her daughter and the baby like a grandchild. I couldn't be happier to have her help. She watches the baby while I take naps during the day. The night feeding keep me from getting a good night's sleep. I really don't mind, as holding him and looking on his face is all I really need.

I think Mama and Papa are sad I did not make it home in time. I am too, but so grateful that both of us came through the ordeal and are both healthy and strong. Joseph is so sweet through all of this. He was really anxious and was so worried during the delivery. and at one point the wise women sent him away for supplies, which was really meant to keep him busy and away from the women's work. Now he loves to hold him and sing to him. He's a proud and caring father for which I am eternally grateful.

I think we will remain here until I am well enough to travel. We have had so many visitors! The shepherds and all of the inn's residents have boasted about the baby born here. And there is a star, every night, which hovers above this place, as if it's celebrating with us. At night, after a feeding, I step outside to gaze on it's beauty. I wonder what our God is doing and give thanks for safety and health. 

I have a hungry aby who is getting more insistent by the minute. I write again soon.

Love.

Mary

Christmas Day 2023 - Mary Letter Day Twenty

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:1-14-20

Dear Mama,

Well, despite our best efforts to get home to you and Papa, our little one is born today, here in Bethlehem, the City of David. He's here and he's perfect! I wrote to Aunt Elizabeth when it was just starting and I was terrified. Now I can write and say how grateful I am for all you and Auntie taught me. I kept you and Papa in mind throughout the ordeal. I recited the prayers and psalms you taught me, though sometimes I stumbled and made up some words. The pains were terrible and although I tried to be brave I did cry out now and then. The wise women and Anna were great help and guided me each step of the way. Joseph wouldn't leave the area, even though the pain and my cries really bothered him. He was so brave. The women were amazed and told me their husbands never hung around! I am tired but so full of energy and joy. I don't want to sleep, just watch this little miracle as he sleeps. The women promised to come and check on me regularly to make sure I am resting and healing. 

 His little toes and fingers are perfect. His face and dark hair are like an angel's. His eyes are bright, and he seems to focus on faces. I was so afraid and now I cannot imagine what I was afraid of, Mama. He warms my heart, even when he cries.  After all was done and I was washed up, the wise women left us. Anna and Samuel, our innkeepers, brought us food and gifts from the guests in the inn. They are so kind and generous. Late in the night, we were woken by sheep outside the stable. Joseph went to investigate and there were many shepherds, led by a young boy, who came running in, wanting to see the baby. They told us that angels had appeared to them and told them to come and see. Amazing! They gave us blankets woven from their wool and thanked us for this great gift! 

 Mama, I don't know why I get afraid, and doubt covers me. Their visit tells me that God is with us, even in the strangest of places, in occupied territories and noisy cities, as well as in the most awkward and painful of circumstances! I know you and Papa have been so worried. And, God is truly present and real at all times. I miss you both so much and can't wait for you to see this wonderful boy in person! It will be very soon. 

 Much love, 

 Mary 

A Litany for Christmas 2023 

 

Wondrous Creator, source of all life 

You bend yourself towards us in all seasons 

Bringing light to our broken, hidden places 

And joy in your constant, loving presence. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. 

 

We often stray away like lost sheep 

We are afraid, covered in anxiety 

We seek foolish solutions to our pain 

Yet you lean in and seek us at all times. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. 

 

The world turns to violence and destruction 

Yet You are our source of hope and freedom 

You set the prisoners free and feed the hungry 

And gather us all back home at your table. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. 

 

You turn our tears of sorrow into tears of joy 

And open our hearts to new and abundant life. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. 

 

Dark skies and cold winds will not keep you away 

You love us as good parents love their children. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. 

 

Oh Jesus, born in a humble and lonely place 

Visit is in our simple hearts, open to you this day. 

Lord, help us to carry your Incarnate love with us today. Amen.