Mary Letter Day Twenty Six

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 Auntie,

I have been thinking about all we have been through in the past months. I am remembering my time with you after the angel's visit and your profound and loving support of me. Noone would believe us! And yet, I am so grateful that Joseph did believe the angel, married me and brought me on this journey. I can't imagine what would have happened if we had stayed home. I would have been punished in the village and perhaps even stoned. Here, no one knows us and we can remain safe and anonymous. Joseph has been so wonderful and kind. He took such a big risk taking us on, yet he is cheerful and ever so kind. He loved the little boy Jesus and holds him all the time.

The last week or so we have been in hiding. Soldiers came and slaughtered all the young boys they could find. They never found us because we were hiding and in a stable. But the grief penetrates everything. My heart breaks over and over again to think that a ruler could be so jealous of a tiny boy. And how would they have even known. No shepherd is ever welcomed into the occupier's palace! This land is under siege and now we are broken people surrounded by needless death and loss. I will never understand such greed and selfishness.

We think we will be able to return soon, after things quiet down some. There are still too many soldiers in the streets for us to head home safely. We have heard rumors that they are still looking for small boys! Pray for us, we need it. We know God is with us, and, everyday there is some new challenge we have not forseen.

Much love,

Mary