First Sunday After Christmas - Mary Letter Day Twenty Five

First Sunday After Christmas
Mary Letter Day Twenty-Five

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Dear Elizabeth,

I am writing to you as to not frightened my parents again. We are still in Bethlehem, awaiting registration and my healing. The wise woman, Sarah, refuses to let me do any long walks until she says so! We are here for the time being, trying to be patient, which is hard. Yesterday, things got pretty dangerous here in the city. We woke to the sounds of wailing! So many women crying for their children. Joseph told me to hide deep in this barn with the baby and he went out to find out what was going on. He came back shaking with fear and anger. He told me that Herod had heard of a child who was to be king, and he told soldiers to take all the little ones and have them killed! They were talking about our little boy! How could any ruler be so cruel? So many families screaming and wailing in their terror and loss! We hid here all day and night. I guess they didn't expect to find a boy child in this humble barn.

Joseph and I sat up late last night, after we heard the horns being sounded. We knew then things were safe for us, at least for the time being.  Our hosts brought us food after the "all clear", and we ate and talked about what we should do. We both said yes to our Lord, but we never expected such danger and challenges. Our jobs now are to do everything to keep this child safe, now we know that the king is looking to destroy him. Jealousy is so destructive in the hands of the powerful. Actually, it is destructive to all humans, isn't it? Please pray for us, as this is truly a fragile and fraught existence. We have to trust that God will see us through, and on days like this, I can't help but be fearful.

Much love,

Mary