THE REVELATION TO JOHN

Why start over with my journal entries with The Revelation to John, the book of the Bible which is probably the hardest book to understand? Well, I'm not going to try and untie every mystery of the book or to make it sound simple--an impossible task. I only hope to let you know that when you are ready to read it, you will be ready.


If you remember the disciples Jesus chose, one of the first was named John. He and his brother James were fishermen along with Peter and Silas.  After Jesus was killed on the cross, when so many of the disciples were also  punished by death, John was sent to an island far away for his punishment. While there, he received a vision which instructed him to send the information given to him to seven churches, commending them for their strengths and warning them about their flaws.  (These notes and those that follow are from the study portion of my bible.)


Both the church as an institution and the church as it's made up of individual lives must constantly fight against the temptations to become loveless, immoral, lenient, compromising, lifeless, or casual about our faith. To those who have become apathetic, the Revelation to John is a warning.  And to those who are faithful during the struggles in this world, it is a reassurance that God's goodness will triumph over evil, give us hope as we face difficult times, and guide us when we waver  in our faith.  The Revelation to John is a message of hope for all believers in every generation, encouraging us to be devoted to the One who saves.


One of the themes in the Revelation is Satan's strength, or evil powers which may increase in the world, but we are not to follow its lead.  God is all-powerful and in control.  He will bring his true family safely into eternal life. We can trust Him with our lives.


Assurance of Christ's return gives suffering Christians strength to endure acts of hatred and harm.  We look forward to His return as King and Judge.  Since no one knows that time when He will re-appear, we must always be ready by keeping our faith strong.


Anyone can take his or her place  in the ranks of God's faithful people by believing in Christ.  Victory  is certain for those who make loyalty to Christ their top priority and ask for forgiveness if we fail to do so.  (And I would add: After all, we humans do screw up, no matter how hard we try not to.  Our personhood is naturally full of self, either self-love or self-hatred, and both are self motivated and not Christ-motivated!)


If you decide to read the Revelation to John, remember:  It is a book that reveals future events in its Predictions and preaches who God is and what he will do in its Proclamations.  It is best to read it with a study guide with explanations about its visions which have baffled interpreters for centuries.  The fact that it was left to us by Masters of Religion, tells us it is a worthy book.


In the meantime, as I wait for your scholarly studies which you will have to share,  (It would only be fair!) we will pick up  my blog, nearly daily, as I follow my journal's instructions as to what I must read and write about next.  This will soon follow, I hope.


Joy comes in the morning, that's why I love the morning.  Hope this finds you joyful in the Lord!!


Jo INMN

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have questions like I had when I first knew the Jesus' Birth Story, perhaps today's blog will help.  "Did Joseph and Mary go to Egypt?  And how long did they stay?
 
First of all, they did go up to Jerusalem to the Temple where they had Jesus purified according to the Law of Moses.  (Luke 2:22)"They followed the law, as Jesus was not born to be above the law, but to fulfill the law."  And later, he fulfilled it perfectly.


While at the Temple, Joseph and Mary marveled at the attention their baby received. Simeon said Jesus was a gift from God and recognized Jesus as the Messiah, a light to the world.  Anna, a prophetess, spoke for God, proclaiming His truth and she, also, gave thanks to God for the babe who was to redeem Jerusalem.


The book of Luke tells us Mary, Joseph, and Jesus returned to Nazareth where the child grew and became strong, wise, and wore the grace of God.  Between verses 38 and 39 there is a time lag. They are placed first in Jerusalem at the Temple to fulfill that law with Jesus in verse 38, and then in verse 39, they are returning to Galilee to their old town of Nazareth.  The verse 41 tells us they went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover every year.  The study portion for these verses tells us, "There was ample time for them to flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, and return to Nazareth when it was safe to do so."


Luke also tells us that Jesus at age 12 was not in the company returning home from the Passover Week and was not missed for a whole day.  They began looking for him among other relatives and friends..  When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.  After three days, they found him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, asking questions and listening.  At the time of the Passover, the greatest rabbis of the land assembled n the  courtyard to discuss the great truths of God.  The coming Messiah may have been discussed as it was a popular topic among the rabbis.  Jesus would have been eager to listen and ask probing questions that Mary and Joseph could not answer.


The teachers exclaimed at the depth of Jesus' wisdom. In verse 49, Jesus asked his parents, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"  Mary then knew--she had to let go of her child and let him become a man, God's Son, the Messiah.


Most of the information I have passed on to you today was found in the study portion of my wonderful Bible (mentioned long ago!).  It is The Life Application Study Bible, the New International Version.


Many people have a curiosity about the Book of Revelation.  Perhaps, the next blog I do  (watch for it in a few days) will give an explanation of John's Revelation from God--as soon as I have one myself!


As some say  in Minnesota--Yours till the cows come home!  (What?)


Jo INMN

BORN FOR THE AGES TO COME

I am writing this last entry on Christmas Day having enjoyed again the wonderful book, "TWO FROM GALILEE" by Marjorie Holmes.  I have truly loved savoring the words of Ms. Holmes who imagined the time of Jesus' birth and put color and richness into the truth of the Holy Word.  Thank you, Marjorie Holmes...Now back to our story.


The night was dark and all was still.  Yet, now and then a dog barked, a hoof stomped, a swallow fluttered across the ceiling of the cave.  Yet Mary could not sleep.  She got up quietly, careful to not disturb Joseph, and did some last-minute things for their journey the next day.  She crept back and watched her slumbering child and bent her ear to check his breathing.  She heard his lips make sucking sounds.


"Mary?" The word startled her. She turned and saw Joseph sitting up on his pallet, his eyes wide with alarm. "Is everything all right?"  "Yes, I was looking after the baby," she answered.  Joseph added,  'Well, I can't sleep, either.  Actually, I didn't think I was asleep, but I must have been sleeping because I had a dream!  It was very vivid!  An angel stood  beside me and gave me the same warning given by the wisemen!"  He breathed hard.  "They were right!  We will have to flee!  Nor can we come here after presenting Jesus at the temple.  We must not go home to Nazareth.  No, Mary, the dream was very clear.  We must take the child and flee--to Egypt."


Mary stared at him.  "Egypt?  Joseph, are you sure?"  Joseph was shaking.  Who was sure of anything anymore?  All, everything seemed like a dream, all a miracle.  Where was home?  The one I built in Nazareth?  A crowded stable?  A highway to Egypt?  Everything seemed to be a mystery--where did it begin?  where will it end? But he answered Mary, "Yes."  There was only the truth as he  knew it now, "Yes, we must do as we are told."  Forces beyond themselves had brought them to this moment, and would surely guide--and guard--them  in the hours that lay ahead.


Again the conflict of reason came upon Joseph which had troubled him earlier.  King yet lowly.  God yet man.  Born of a virgin in human fear and suffering, as all men must be born.  Why?  Was it to demonstrate the eternal majesty of Jesus and yet the mystery of his being?  It was a crude and wonderful thing to emerge from a woman and live in this world, whether king or god or slave.  And god the author of it all whose image is created in all men, in his desperation to draw all men back to him is willing to be born and perhaps to die? 


Aloud, Joseph said,  "Somehow I can't think of our son as a king.  At least not a king who will mount a throne some day and rule the world.  No.  But rather, I see him as a king who will change men's hearts."


Mary wept quietly, not just because of the disappointment of not returning to Nazareth or not getting to see her Aunt but from deep in her soul, she wept. "Oh, Joseph, our poor baby!  I love him so.  If only this child could simply be our child and not subject to...what both of us know must surely come."  "Hush," he whispered. "Shh!  Mary!  All will be well."


But the tongue of the wagon brought a shadow across the baby's face.  It was only a shadow, the shadow of a cross, but brought Mary to say, "No!"  From her private place of agony, she said through tears.  "The prophets have already spoken of this.  He will bear the burden of guilt  on his shoulders.  He will be a man of sorrow whom the world will despise.  He is the scapegoat for the world.  He will bear a burden of man's guilt upon his shoulders to be led up a hill to be slaughtered.  He will be slain, crucified on a cross because we fell apart from God.  See, Joseph, the shadow of the cross is upon him now."


Joseph begged her to stop.  But, he saw the cross, too, and he cried from deep within, while he lifted up and carried away the offensive wagon tongue.  When he returned he was trembling in anger and anguish but knelt with Mary, crouched beside the manger.  "Forgive me," she said.  "I suffered such small pains in birthing him compared to the suffering he is likely to have!"  "Mary, Mary, " Joseph said and lifted her up and held her like a child.  He had her drink a cup of warm milk, as he had done on the night she birthed the babe.  Whispering to her, "Hush, my love, my little wife.  Doesn't every man who walks this earth carry a cross, one that is with him every day?"


He turned to look at their baby in the manger, still asleep.  "This is our cross, Mary.  Yours and mine-for you know how much I love him, too.  Our cross is to know that our son's hour will come--and we can't stop it.  Living with that certainty every day of our lives will be hard but it will also be our blessing, to know that in his living and dying he will be lifting a heavy yoke somewhat for all men.  Life has burdens, but with him they will be more tolerable.  He will bring hope!  Not only for Israel's people but for all people.


"And, Mary, he will bring hope for the tormented in spirit. He will be a link to the god who really does care about us.  Just think.  We won't have to be estranged from God anymore.  Being estranged from God is suffering, too.  Somehow through this child,  all this will come about.!"


"But he's so little--so young!" Mary interrupted.  "Yes, just a baby, our baby.  Totally unaware of this great plan."  Joseph's voice broke and he waited a moment before carrying on.  "Pray God that he will be a long time before knowing God's plan for him.  And we must be ready...for that day so we do not struggle against him and what he must do.  We must grow in courage so that we are not found wanting.  Me, Mary, and you, his mother.  Mary, my wife....."


It seemed to Joseph now that he knew why it had been his fate to love Mary.  He loved her with a greater love than man has ever been asked to give a wife.  For that love was akin to the love personified in the child--Sacrifice!  God so loved the world that he would give up his own son.  And that son...he, too, would love the people in the world so much that he would be willing to give his life.


To suffer that others might live.  To deny oneself for those dearer to us than life.  That is found only in a true union of those who love.  And love--in the end--is what would bring man back to be united with his God.


"I love you, my Mary.  Our love will help us make our home a home of love.  Love will enable us to grow in courage and in strength, so we will be worthy of this great blessing that has come to us in a Bethlehem's stable."


Mary nodded, although her eyes were wet.  She kissed Joseph's rough hands.  Then she rose up and set about making the morning's meal.  It was now daylight and they had a long, long journey ahead of them.  (End of Story!)


Again a great big thank you to M. Holmes for her wonderful book TWO FROM GALILEE.


May your new acquaintance with Mary and Joseph, the parents of our beloved Christ Jesus bring you much joy as you celebrate all of your Christmases to come!


Love from me to you, to be shown from my daily journaling,  continued in this blog. Keep watching!


Jo INMN

BORN TO DIE, FOR US TO LIVE

Today is not the final episode of the story of the TWO FROM GALILEE by Marjorie Holmes.  I hope you  have enjoyed it thus far.  If you started in the middle someplace and want to read it from the beginning, the blogs started with HEAR YE! AN AMAZING STORY, about Nov. 17.  Beginning in a couple of days, I will revert to blogs from my daily study and journaling.  As I learn, I will pass it along to you.  I hope you will join me for those blogs coming nearly every day.  Now, the next to last story from M. Holmes.


This night found Joseph standing at the stable door. He had been to the well for water.  But the night was cold and clear, exhilarating, yet peaceful.  He could not go in just yet.  He stood savoring the moment's sweet communion and the pleasure he felt in his home.


The stable had been made more comfortable by the innkeeper's wife who brought down a table and bench from the inn, and a brazier to augment the fire pit.  Now, it too glowed through the long cold nights.  The ass was tethered in another stall, the floor swept of the straw, and fresh rushes had been strewn on the floor.  The three of them were like mice in a nest, Joseph imagined.


Now, the forty days had passed and they must take little Jesus and travel to the Temple, to give an offering redeeming his birth.  Joseph wondered if they should come back to Bethlehem and he would find work until Jesus was old enough for the hard and treacherous trip back to Nazareth.  Would the star follow them? he wondered.  Would it continue to blaze above their heads like a torch in the sky, lighting their way?


"Where now, star?" he muttered. "Will you guide me, lead me?"  A quiet joy filled him for wherever they went they would be together, he and Mary.  He was about to go inside when he heard the plunk of approaching hooves and the jingle of harness, and saw three camels seemingly flowing down the pathway of the inn.  The grace and the elegance of the riders seemed somewhat like arrogance as they moved slowly forward.


Joseph thought it strange that no servant had stabled their mounts.  He turned, not wishing to be seen, and was about to duck into the cave when one of the riders called out, "Wait!  You there in the doorway."  The camel drew nearer.  "Tell me, is this the place where the new child lies?"  But Joseph stood silent, rigid in apprehension.  "Of course it is; it must be."  The second rider was making a gesture of triumph toward the star right above the stable.  "See, it no longer moves!"


"But, a stable?  Surely, this cannot be a fit place for the birthplace of a king!"  Joseph's heart had begun to beat heavily.  These were men--great men of travel--and perhaps of learning.  And Joseph was afraid.  A fierce rebellion ballooned up in his chest.  What did they want with Jesus?  Were the momentous things revealed in the prophets about to begin--already?!?  No, he said to himself, I will not have it, not yet!  Not yet!  The child is not ready!  Joseph blocked the doorway as the strangers prepared to dismount, rapping the beasts on the neck so they would fold their legs and crouch.


"What do you want?" Joseph demanded.  An answer  came, "To see him.  Is there not a newborn child within?"  Joseph hesitated.  "Only my wife and son."  One man, handsome with curling black beard and teeth flashing white.  The other two were fairer.  All had the look of wisdom and splendor about them, and Joseph felt humbled.  Their sense of purpose and their wills would not be denied easily.


"You are the father, then, of this holy child?"  "I am the father of a month old son.  Are not all children sacred in the sight of God?" Joseph answered.  "Yes, yes.  Truly it is so.  But the stars have foretold this event for years and we have studied the stars.  We are Magi from Persia and Chaldea, philosophers and physicians, and we have traveled for weeks following the star that stands over this doorway.  It has become the sole purpose of our existence, my friend--to see him, if only for a few minutes.  This child of yours is to change the course of all history--the One who is to become King of the Jews."  The voice softened.  "Surely you would not turn us away?"


Joseph, looking into the man's eyes, knew that his peaceful dream of the stable had ended, with the child at it's center and heart.  For cradled in the manger lay the promised One, the man of destiny.


Joseph went to Mary,  "It is the baby they want to see." He caught her hand and kissed it.  " He who is one day to be King of the Jews."  Mary closed her eyes.  She, too, had set aside the truth and she was forced to remember her son's destiny.  She picked her baby up and kissed him.  Then, put him down in his wee bed.  "Bid them to come in."


Soon she could hear the sound of sandals scuffing and the swish of robes as the grand men approached.  They filled the room with their exotic strangeness and smelled of spices and perfume.  One by one they knelt at her feet, there in the straw, and kissed the hem of her gown.They gazed then upon the baby, lingering as he smiled at them with his great liquid eyes and wiggled within his bindings as if he wanted to reach out to them.  The men chuckled, and opening their embroidered shawls, presented their gifts--jars of precious myrhh and frankincense, a bolt of silk shot through with gold, and a ruby in a velvet case.  "For the king," they said.  "For the hope of the ages.  And for you, his blessed mother," he said and draped a cashmere shawl about Mary's slight shoulders.  "And for you, his father...."  A leather bag of coins was pressed into Joseph's hand.  "Use it to lighten your load, for it is a heavy load you must carry.  And a long journey you must make."  Joseph, surprised at this last remark said, "How so?"  The men exchanged troubled glances.  The tall Persian spoke,  "Make haste to leave here.  There are those in the land who would destroy this little king."   "Herod?" Joseph blanched as he asked.  "Yes, Herod.  He is a madman.  We mistakenly stopped in Jerusalem."  Smiling lightly, he added, "Even wise men can make mistakes.  Herod was unduly interested in the king we were seeking and made us promise to return to him if we found the king we spoke of."


"But we must go to Jerusalem to present the child at the temple," Joseph said.  "Whatever the danger; it must be done."  Their answer , "Whatever you do, don't return to Bethlehem!"
(End of today's story)


There will be one more story about the first Christmas, to be published here in a blog tomorrow.


Loving you at this precious time of the year, with a new year on its way!


JO INMN
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COMING UP--FORTY DAYS IN BETHLEHEM

As we near the end of our story, it is nearly the end of the time in Bethlehem for Joseph and Mary.  What will become of them now?   Where will they go?  What will they do?  In the book TWO FROM GALILEE, it becomes clear just about this time.  (Many thanks to Marjorie Holmes who authored the book we are using to bring the gist of Christ's birth to the blogging world.)


For forty days the rude little stable was their home.  Each night the great star stood over  the cave's  entrance.  Joseph had never seen such a star, illuminating the entire countryside.  Dazed, he told Mary, "I'm afraid there may be others coming to see the child." "Let them come," she murmured.  "Oh, Joseph, isn't he lovely?  Just look at him--see, his eyes are open.  He knows us!  He's trying to smile."


Joseph, trying to tone down her enthusiasm just a bit, said, "Foolish---all babies smile like that; they don't know what they're doing."  "Oh!  But this one does.  Our baby does."  Their baby.....Joseph bent over her where she stood unwinding the baby's swaddling bands.  She did this several times a day and  was now adept at changing him and exercising him. Now, with confidence, she poured a little oil on her hands and massaged the tiny squirming body, the flailing fists, and the curved, kicking legs.  Then she dusted the baby with powdered myrtle leaves, the scent of it wonderful to Joseph.  It stirred him deeply.  He bent nearer and stuck out his finger, and the child clung to it, giving Joseph a picture of intense trust.  The babe tugged, directing the finger toward his mouth.  Joseph laughed, but recognized his blind adoration for his child.  If not the child of his loins, yet Jesus was the child of his love.


The fire glowed night and day for Joseph went out each day and brought back fuel, as well as bread and juice and water. Even sweets, which they ate, sometimes secretly in the still of the night.  They took turns as they could with the focus of their lives, their little son.


Starlight poured through the chink of window, joining the light of the fire, all throwing long shadows.  They could hear voices of people from the courtyard and music and laughter floating down from the inn.  Camels brayed, harnesses clanked, baggage bumped.  All together, there was a kind of music, for their strange, lovely dream.


And there were other visitors, sometimes, as Joseph supposed.  Some were curious, some skeptical, but some came who, like the shepherds,  came to adore, marveling and going away rejoicing.
(End of Today's story)


This was a shorter message today; a longer one will come tomorrow.  For the tomorrows of our life are like this story--no matter what tomorrow brings--bitter or sweet for us to eat-- we have faith that life will go on just fine, just right.  And with Jesus as our guide and friend, we can taste the bitter and swallow the sweet as long as He is by our side.


We can do this!  Yes, we can!


Jo INMN

SOME SHEPHERDS SAW A STAR

Writing this  after Christmas--ours was wonderful as usual, but smaller in attendance-- I hope your Christmas was one where you felt very close to the Christchild. He is still in his "cave" in Bethlehem, loving his mother and his father and the donkeys and every breath he took and every bit of his mother's milk he dared to ask for. Following the story TWO FROM GALILEE by M. Holmes, we continue to find Mary resting.


Mary did rest on the night her child was born.  And Joseph kept watch, exhausted, yet too tired to sleep. Their son had been safely born and he had been part of it.  The boy was his son, too!  They were sleeping quietly now, his wife and child.  He shielded the lamp, and once again, held it above their faces, if only to witness the blessed sight of them, in this moment of rapture.


As he stood there, he was startled to hear the sound of approaching feet.  Gripped with fear, he felt a great need to protect his family.  Feeling like a lion might feel in protecting its den, he hurried to bar the door.  No harm must come to them!  Nothing must disturb their sleep!  He could see the figures now, carrying torches.  There was such a light behind them, he wondered if the sun was already high.  To his relief he saw the man leading the group; he was the  one who had helped him earlier.  "Hush," Joseph whispered.  "Don't wake them.  My wife and newborn son are sleeping."


"Then all is well with you, my friend?"  The herdsman's long, narrow face seemed pale in the glowing light; his eyes were filled with doubt and amazement.  "The child was safely born?"  "Yes, thanks be to God.  A man-child is now resting with his mother.  Pray be quiet."


"Then it's true!"  There was a smothered outcry, a stir of excitement as others pressed forward.  Several new shepherds were there, having traveled a long way.  "We told you this was the place!" one of them said to the tall Beduoin.  "The star led us here!  It stands even now, above your door!"  And he begged Joseph, "Pray let us see with our own eyes the glory the angels told would be lying in this holy place."


"Angels?"  "Yes, a whole choir of angels singing!  And they led us here from tending our sheep in the Jericho hills."  And he pushed forward a small boy.  "The lad saw the angels first.  He thought he was dreaming, then we all awoke from the music and the light."  "We have traveled for hours," another said.  "Please let us come  in; we have gifts to deliver."


At these unusual sounds, Mary roused up and blinked at the strange  light.  "What is it, Joseph?"  And, shaken, Joseph told her, "They are shepherds and have come a long way, having been guided by a mysterious star.  They wish to see the little one, my dear."


"They must be cold--and tired," Mary answered.  "Bid them to come in."  She sat up, right there on the hay.  Startled and only half-smiling, she covered her breast and lifted up the holy child.


The shepherds came in one at a time, fearfully and humbly laying their gifts at the foot of the manger.  Rude gifts--some rabbit skins, a sack of figs, a kid goat and a newborn lamb.  And with shining faces, they gazed upon the sleeping child, the Christ to come, and knelt down on the hay and worshiped him.   (End of today's story)


I had no hay to walk upon, but a lovely home where so many  of my grandchildren and children and their mates were present. We are all worshippers of the Holy One and love Christmastime to especially remember how Christ was born, in a manger, with shepherds and a indisputable star.  Now, we are far from Bethlehem, but never far from the One who came to us on a starlit night.


May the Lord guide you in your precious life, just as a star guided the world to his side.


Jo INMN

IN THE GRIP OF GOD

We're getting close to the day the babe was born, as we follow the blogs to the birth of Jesus Christ as portrayed in the book TWO FROM GALILEE by M. Holmes.  The first  story of the series was MARY OF GALILEE, as it appeared some weeks ago, and every day but Sunday another of the series was written. Won't you join us?


Mary's pain was the only reality, her master.  Beyond the pain was the stable and its dim world.  Firelight threw shadows across the rough walls.  The steaming kettle and vague shadow of animals were present, and sometimes from very far away and sometimes sounding close, the rumble of male voices could be heard from the yard.  With the presence, too, of Joseph, it seemed like a small homey world surrounding her world of pain.  Mary was conscious of Joseph moving about, bending to look over her, supporting her and suffering with her so she fought hard to still her cries.  But she could not.  Yet she tried hard to remember there was so demon within her, but the bloody grip of God.


She thought, too, of the beasts led to the slaughter in the Temple.  They were moaning, moving closer to their fate--or was it...."Joseph, forgive me!"  For it was not the cattle that she heard, but the moans and bellowing coming from her own lips.  "It's all right; cry if it helps," Joseph whispered.


In her mind, the hooves of the doomed cattle drove on.  She tried to reassure them:  Never fear, sweet cattle, I will bring forth a new kind of offering to Jehovah.  One day you will not need to go to the knife.  And, also, she tried to reassure the child: Never fear, sweet child; don't let me frighten you.  Come forth in triumph out of suffering.


Suffering?  An excitement filled her and she sought to understand her hidden thoughts.  Is there a secret to suffering?  Truly to know the Lord God you must go down in the pit with him, suffer with him, be in the fire with him.  She thought she saw the priest bending toward her, to comfort her in the pit.  But it was not the priest, it was Joseph.


Bending toward her in his love for her he said, "I can see his little head.  You must strive harder, my love.  Bear down, bear down."


She obeyed, gratefully. There was a great ripping and flooding and burning, and he came forth out of her, out of Mary, his mother.  Thus in blood and pain he came into the world, this son of God who was also man and the son of man.  And Joseph lifted him up for her to see.  They looked upon him together and marveled.  His wholeness, infinitely small and red and perfectly formed.  And when he squirmed in Joseph's arms and uttered his first cry, they thrilled the thrill of all mankind as it ran through them.  This was life, human life, and they knew a miracle had come alive.


Mary drowsed with the child in her arms.  Joseph had cleansed the babe and rubbed it with salt as she had directed.  But the swaddling was done by Mary, making a little harness of the swaddling bands to help its tiny limbs to grow straight and strong.


So now she lay drowsing while Joseph busied himself, tidying up their small nest that had become their home.  It was beautiful to him.  He had taken the bloody straw and replaced it with clean sweet hay.  He had bathed Mary and brought her fresh garments. He brushed her hair--and then brought the swaddled babe for her to suckle.  Mary could feel the tugging, surprised at one so tiny to be so vigorous.  How greedy for life he was!  Feed me, he demanded!   It was really quite funny.  She smiled, half-asleep, and pressed the hot little bundle close.  What bliss!


And so Mary rested on the night that her child was born.  And Joseph kept watch.  He needed no more to berate himself.  He had not failed her.  Her son had been safely born, and he had helped to bring him forth.  So, he thought, that made this babe---in a new and wondrous sense--his son, too.  His wife, his child--his family--sleeping now, and unable to restrain himself, he shielded the lamp and held it above their faces, if only to witness the blessed sight of them in this moment of his rapture.  (End of today's story)


Look for the story again on 12/26, the day after Christmas.  How I hope and pray this story increased your love and enthusiasm for Christmas--just as it did for me many years ago.  Although studying the possibilities of the feelings and actions of Biblical persons cannot be fully accurate, it at least provides possibilities which may or may not have existed. They were and are, after all, real people with real lives.  Only their stories are there and not their feelings.  We can only imagine. 


Have a wonderful Christmas!  And may God bless each one of you!


Forever desiring His friendship,


Jo INMN

ALONE AND SCARED

A continuation of the shortened story told by Marjorie Holmes in her book TWO FROM GALILEE, please enjoy today's chapter of the life of Mary and Joseph as they face the difficulties of giving birth to God's child, who will grow up to be the Savior of the world, Jesus the Christ.


Mary spoke now, after her pain ceased for the moment, "If I die, if this destroys me, you must know one thing, Joseph.  I did not sin.  You are the only man I have ever loved."


"Hush, my blessed, hush."  That this could be uppermost in her mind--at this time--seemed to Joseph unutterably pathetic.   And that he could have doubted her--unendurable.  "I know how pure you are," he said.  "God forgive me for doubting you even for one minute.  I was the one who sinned."  He stroked her matted hair, picking away wisps of straw.  "And you won't die.  God would not allow it."


She relaxed a little and lay back, dozing.  The pain was gone for the moment and his words had comforted her.  While she rested, Joseph rose and quickly began unloading the donkey.  He would need a basin, bowls, linens--so many things.  The mid-wife must come!  But, he must be ready, either way.  And he also knew his donkey must be cared for with food and somewhere to rest. He washed his hands and took some soup to Mary,.  Lifting her carefully he had her sip a bit of soup, it having been hours since they had eaten.  "You need your strength, my darling."  "Yes,' she said, "for the child.  I'll need new strength to bring it forth--and to attend to it."  She drank the entire ladle-full and handed it to him, "You, too, Joseph.  You will also need your strength before this night is done."  Then she remembered, "The midwife--have you sent for her?"  He nodded, "Surely she will be here soon."


"Yes, surely," she said, speaking half to assure herself, half to keep him from worrying.  "I wish it could be my mother!"  "Would to God it could be your mother--or some woman!  I can't leave you, Mary, and I won't.  But as a man, I have no knowledge of these things!"  Don't be afraid," she said gripping his hand.  "We're forgetting that this is God's child and God will not abandon us.  Although we are weak and human, God did choose us to be his servants!  Surely he will help us!"  Joseph remembered, thinking, God's child!  She was right.  God would let nothing happen to his own child, nor to her who was delivering it.


"I must think," Mary said.  "while  I am clear-headed.  I must instruct you.  You must build a fire and keep the swaddling clothes warm.  And the water must be hot.  Warm for the bathing the baby.  And a knife, dipped in the hottest water before cutting the cord.  It's to drive away evil spirits that might harm him." "A knife?" Joseph gasped, and Mary answered, "Yes.  It must be done.  You must do all of this if the mid-wife doesn't come.  And the cord must be tied securely with dried gut.  There is a parcel with both the knife and the gut somewhere.  I put it in just in case the birth should come somewhere unexpectedly.  And the salt is for rubbing the child."


Joseph's head began to whirl.  He had thought that this which had begun as a miracle should conclude as a miracle, simply because God's son must come forth in a manner more fitting than to be hurled from a woman's body!  He began to gaze about him.  Such lowly surroundings--the oxen and sheep, the little donkey braying for food, the smell of dung and hay, the cold rock walls.  This humble setting was the best that he, Joseph, could provide.  Even so, he thought..... and he prayed--even so, God's own angels would surely fill the place at the last and lift my Mary up and draw from her loins the blessed being!


The night wore on.  Joseph had finished his work, the donkey fed and bedded down, the fire tended, his hovering over Mary.  Now and then he dozed, dreaming, then he'd spring up wildly, guilty and sick whenever she began to moan.  Sometimes she would scream, "Help me!  Help me!  Joseph!  Oh, God, help me!"  Yet, he could not help her to bring forth the child, or stop her agony.  And God, the one she'd always called upon, heard her not, as well.


Joseph's face ran with sweat and his heart became black within him.  He remembered his mother crying fitfully in childbirth while his father paced the fields and wept.  And he wondered at the God who could, in this way, betray his own creatures--especially in bringing forth his own Son. HIs sigh ran deep within him.


"You--God!" he challenged. "You-- God!  Where is your miracle now?"  (End of today's story)


Oh, how we look for miracles when we find things hard that life brings about. God is the patron artist of our lives, yet we have hardships, hurtful, wearying hardships.  What do we learn during a hardship when we feel the agony is more than we can bear??  We can bear it all because God is within us and in the midst of us and he wisely brings us through it all with the blessings of what we now know.  That blessing is what we have learned and the knowledge that God is always among us and for us.  We have learned to trust, to have faith in the One who knows us.  God help us to remember this!!


Lovingly,


Jo INMN

HAS THE TIME COME?

Thanks to M. Holmes' book TWO FROM GALILEE we have another blog representing her work.  I hope it does the Biblical characters justice that her book presented to the world. Our Bibles tell us of many people, what they accomplished or what happened to them. No one knows what they were really like or what they may have suffered, but Holmes' book gives us glimpses of "what might have been."  Enjoy,  but to know what they were really like, you will have to wait for heaven to find out!
For the best enjoyment of this story, you may want to begin with my blog,AN AMAZING STORY and follow the blogs on up the line, to be continued until around Christmas Eve.


Mary leaned against Joseph as he led her to the place where she at last could lie down.  Panting, Mary said, "It may be hours before the baby comes, but you must fetch a mid-wife."  "Yes," Joseph said, "I should have thought of that before and inquired at the inn."  Again, he was shocked, mortified at his ineptitude.  Now he would have to leave her alone.


 "Don't worry, I'll be all right." she assured him and touched first his shoulder then his stricken face.  "The pain has stopped altogether," she said, surprised. "Perhaps I can sleep a little."  Relieved, he said, "I'll not be gone long, I promise.  I'll find someone.  Sleep, my Mary, sleep and rest."


He left the lamp behind and felt his way among the stalls, castigating himself for his blunder, when he suddenly heard, "Joseph!"  He halted, frozen, just as he was almost to the opening where the Beduoins moved about their fire.  "Joooo-seph!"  Hearing this scream, too horrifying to believe, he whirled and ran. Sitting upright with her legs dangling over the stall, gnawing her fist, tears streaming down her face, she sobbed, "Joseph, don't go.  Don't leave me.  It's unbearable, I can't stand it, Joseph." 


And so, he cradled her in his arms and crooned, "Mary, Mary," rocking her as he would a child.  The convulsion ceased.  "Oh, God," he thought, "If you are the God who performed this miracle, why must it hurt her so?"  "My Beloved!" he spoke again, this time to his Mary.  After a time, Mary whispered to him, "I'm sorry, only I got so frightened when it began again--and I was alone." She pushed back her messed up hair. "You know the ancient taboo--that it is not fitting for a man to gaze upon a woman in childbirth."


"Yes, I know," he agreed, yet troubled.  "And even if it were not so, I know nothing of what to do to help you, my love."  "Well," she said, "Go and fetch some hot water if you can get it.  Perhaps the herdsmen...but don't be long," she begged.  "Go no further, please--even to fetch a midwife."  "I'll send one of the herdsmen for a midwife," he said, yet knowing another cruel pain was tearing at Mary's body as he ran for the cave's opening.


The herdsmen were sprawled about drinking wine and strumming their lutes.  As he burst into their circle, he said, "Help me! Please!  Have you any hot water?  My wife is far along in childbirth and she needs water...and a midwife."  A man said, "My friend, the water we can share with you," and he laughed, "but none of us is a midwife!"  They stopped laughing as they saw Joseph's face.  A man rose, tall and dignified.  "There is some barley soup, nourishing and still hot.  Perhaps it will comfort your wife..  Here, I'll carry it for you and light your way.  Meanwhile...."  He kicked one of the sleeping boys.  "You, Joab, rise up and go into Bethlehem.  See if you can find a midwife."  The youth rose up, yawning and surly, thinking the command was a joke.  But there was no time to argue, and the tall shepherd with the soup and Joseph leading, went back toward the cave which held Mary.


The cries from within the cubical halted both of them.  "Thank you, my friend," Joseph said grimly, and motioned him aside.  "If we need anything further we will call you."  And he stole back in and stood where Mary lay writhing.  He had known women suffered in childbirth, but this was his Mary
and the thing that tortured her clawed into the dark pit of his own bowels even though it was not his child she struggled to bring forth.


No man must see a woman  in childbirth, that he knew.  He  could not leave her, yet, he was helpless at her travail.  "Joseph.....oh....Joseph!"  His name came from between her clenched teeth.  He could barely hear her and he fell to his knees beside her, and let her grip his hands and pull upon him, pull with all of her strength.


Dazedly, in their mutual agony, it seemed to Joseph that something was being uprooted in him. Self!  My very own self.   The last little bit of self. And then, another thought, "Was this the meaning of love?  Must one die to self in order to be reborn for your beloved?  to spare her?  To share it.  To more than share it, to take it into my own body and bear it for her, and in the process to die...and be reborn?  I wonder.  I wonder."
(End of today's story)


I hope these words, both of mine and Ms. Holmes, will put some new thoughts of your own into being.  I know her book put some new thoughts into mine!


Getting all your Christmas plans ready?  Me, too, keeping at it!


Jo INMN

NO ROOM AT THE INN

Here we are again nearing the final pages of TWO FROM GALILEE by Marjorie Holmes.   Thanks to her we can get a small idea of what it was like for two of the most famous people ever written about in the bible.  Her descriptions of the biblical people is beyond question..they are outstanding.  Hope you are following along!........


Mary was too grateful to speak after Joseph said, "It won't be too long now, dearest--then you can rest."  Again the donkey moved forward beneath her, through the gates into the hubbub of humanity just beyond.  The inn was a great,  sprawling old structure with a large courtyard, crowded with people unloading baggage, tying beasts or leading them toward the stable.  Smoke from roasting meat came from the back of the building.


Joseph saw at  once that his fears were to be realized.  Trying to hide this fear, he tied the donkey and went inside.  Although the innkeeper was busy serving wine, he took a moment too explain after Joseph's appeal, "I'm sorry, but we're full.  Haven't got an inch for a cat to lay in.  Find yourself a friendly yard, as I've been saying to others, or go back outside and sleep in the fields."


"We can't," Joseph explained.  "We've already paid dearly to enter the town.  Nor can we sleep on the earth again this night."  Joseph grabbed the man's beefy arm, causing him to slop wine.  The man, although angered, said nothing at the look of Joseph's desperation.  "My wife is in labor.  She is about to bear our first child.  Please, you must give us shelter--at least for a few hours."


The man answered sadly, "But I can't! Can't you see?  There's simply no room.  I'm sorry, lad, but I can't perform miracles!"  "Miracles," Joseph thought, starting to feel bitter.  Well, let the Lord help us now!  "You must," he repeated to the innkeeper.  "You must help us." "Well," the man said, "there is the stable full of creatures already.  But if you don't mind the stink and the noise-----"  Joseph's heart sank.  The chaos was deafening all around them, both from above and below, where he could hear beasts stamping and voices raised both in laughter and argument.  "Is there nothing else??" he begged.  "My wife must have privacy."


The man, who had left, soon came back, wheezing, and said, "Wait.  There are some caves toward the back where we store things and stable a few animals when we're crowded. You'd be alone there.  Just circle the inn, go down the path, and you're there.  You can't miss it."  Joseph felt heartsick to tell Mary, but he thanked the man and hurried to tell her.  A stable!  God had chosen him to look after Mary and her baby, but the best God could provide was a poor cave.  A humble cave.


Mary was in the grip of great pain, but Joseph gently said, "Come, the inn is full, but you'll be alone, my beloved."  He hurried the donkey forward and hoped the distance was not too far.  The rocky pathway was strewn with dung and pitched downward circling the inn.  It led to an opening marking a series of caves.  Here would not be absolute privacy, for a group of grizzled Bedouins had built a fire before the opening and were cooking their evening meal  with much laughing and talking.  but they paid little attention to the little group that plodded into the cave's yawning mouth. 


It smelled of oats and the tang of animals tethered in the near-dark.  The fire's light from outside guided their footsteps, past shapes of solid oxen or cattle or small donkeys already sleeping.  At last at the far end, groping about, Joseph found what appeared to be a vacant stall.  He got the lamp lit with shaking hands and held it high, seeing one lone manger with some rancid straw strewn about.  But he pitched the straw away and gathered armloads of some nice, clean straw and spread it in the manger.  Upon it, to save time, he flung down his own cloak.


Turning to Mary, he held out his arm.  "I'm sorry, my dearest," he said quietly, as she slid down.  "It's the best I can do."  "Thank, God," she moaned softly.  "Oh, Joseph, thank God--for this place--and for you."
(End of today's story)


There have been times when Jerry and I have traveled wondering, "Is this the best we can do?" And there have been other times when I have said, "Thank God, for this place!" But I cannot remember where or when those events occurred. What about you? I think now that since I have been alert enough to God's way, that I would,  hopefully, always say, "Thank God for this place!"


Watch for another chapter tomorrow!  God willing!
Jo INMN

FAR FROM HOME (late in using title!)

For those just joining us in our story-time, this is to inform you that what you are about to read is a brief re-telling of the story TWO FROM GALILEE, by Marjorie Holmes. It is entirely her idea, and a very few of my own words; it is mostly her version abbreviated.  And it will continue daily until Jesus Christ the Babe is born .  This began some time ago with an introduction to the blogs called, HEAR YE! AN AMAZING STORY.  Enjoy!


As sunrise came they were again on the road.  In vain, they tried to recapture the mood from the previous night, but there was too much concern about the events to come--the taxes, the census,, the birth of their baby.  They plodded forward--to what?  They did not know what they would find--or understand--but as their goal neared, they felt poor!  And poorly prepared!  And far from home!


On the way to Bethlehem they neared Jerusalem where they were to pay their taxes .  And from side roads and hillsides, on camels, mules, or donkeys, some  even on horseback, and still most of them on foot, from all sides came person after person come to pay their taxes.  But Mary, too miserable to care about the Holy City, begged Joseph when he paused to give her a drink, "Hurry, Joseph......hurry!"  Her lower lip was clenched, her cheeks pale, and he could see her knuckles whiten as she gripped her bundles.


He apologized, "Darling, I am hurrying--as fast as we can!"   She nearly wept. "I know..... I know.  Forgive me...it's just that...I don't know how much longer..."  "Then let's stop," he interrupted,  "Mary, if pains are beginning we cannot go on  And we must get help!"


"No.  No, we've got to go on to Bethlehem!" she said, but Joseph answered abruptly, "But it's at least 6 miles further!  It may be night before we get there, the rate that we're going!"


"Then, I'll wait.  somehow, I must wait."  She gave a great shudder.  Then, looking at him with clearer eyes, she relaxed.  "I'll be all right.  I've heard it said that sometimes it happens like this, that a spasm or two comes and you think labor has started!  It sometimes takes a very long time to have a babe!"


Joseph tried to hurry, pleading with those in his path to let him pass by.  "Please, it's urgent; my wife is ill!"  Many let him pass, but one group of men yelled, "Then make'er stay home where she belongs," and they roared with laughter.  There were very few women in the mob as only men were being counted.


After Jerusalem, it got a little cooler, but the donkey, over-burdened, could move only so fast as they climbed into the barren hills before Bethlehem.  Mary held on, eyes closed, teeth set,,,and prayed.  "Help us God!  Delay the pains. Oh, God. and when they do come. let me not show the suffering.  And help my dear Joseph and this poor beast that carries me."  She could feel the donkey's wet and heaving sides, and saw foam from its lips being flicked onto the road.


Mary had to fight nausea now, along with a grinding ache that gnawed at her back.  Then, waves of pain at her vitals made her want to double over, but she could not.  But, she made herself sit erect and grimly hung on although she was jostled and pushed, sometimes causing her to lift up from her seat.  "God--dear merciful God in heaven, please help us!  Bring us to our refuge soon.!"


As the crowd of humanity surged, a coupe of Roman centurions on magnificent horses rode about, trying to keep order.  " Don't crowd, get in line, get your  belongings ready.  The tax collectors will take you each in turn." 


Joseph had left her side, but she was only dimly aware of it.  He was speaking to the Centurion.  Suddenly, the man wheeled his horse around and waved his whip above the crowd.  "Let these people through!" Then he pulled up beside Mary.  "Are you all right, Lady?" he asked.  He was  very young but still had the weight of authority in him.  "Yes," she gasped.  "Yes, thank you.  Once we get inside...into the inn..."  When he had broken a path and led them forward, he rode on and the crowd again closed  in around them.  The crowd's resentment showed  as they muttered and shoved.  Joseph, red with anger, adamantly tried to protect their place.  And Mary suffered even more at what Joseph was having to endure.


But the weighing, measuring and assessing the value of possessions brought in to the city, proceeded slowly.  As the collectors received a percentage, they made sure every item was counted.   Finally, Joseph heard, "Next!  Unload and be quick about it."  All their poor possessions, even the lovingly wrapped packet of swaddling clothes.  "Is that it?" the collector said with an amused glance at the other collector.  "Yes," said Joseph with tight lips. But the collector wasn't quite done, "What about that thing your wife's sitting on?  At least, I suppose it's your wife?" he joked, and the crowd laughed.


"Just an old robe that serves as a tent and to keep her warm at night,," Joseph said, again tightly.  "Well--let's have it!"  But, Joseph's contempt was beyond even that of the tormentor!  "Can't you see my wife is in no condition to climb down!  If there is a grain of decency in you--don't disturb her!"


"Let it be then," the man answered brazenly.  "We'll take your word--one drachma for the old robe.  That'll be five diners altogether.  Pay up, pack up and move on."


Joseph brought the coins out Joachim had given him.  Five dinars.  Out of the twelve he had.  It was robbery.  He threw the coins onto the table and stuffed the things back in the bags.  But at least they had cleared the gates and could find a place for Mary!


"It won't be long now, my dearest.  Be brave.  I'll soon have a place where you can rest."  She nodded, too grateful to speak.  But not too grateful to thank God!"  (End of today's story.)


Birthing a baby brings a strange kind of pain--the kind that one seems to forget after the babe is finally held in the mother's arms.  God's plan, I believe!  (Be with us tomorrow?)


Jo INMN

LAST NIGHT ON THE ROAD--ALONE

Continuation of the synopsis of M. Holmes, TWO FROM GALILEE.... About Mary and Joseph and their soon to be born son..........


A robust, rollicking fellow met them at the ferry, smiling as another fare entered.  "It's good for my pocket," he said, "I may soon have enough to pay my taxes!  Where you heading, friends?"


"Bethlehem," Joseph told him.  The man's reply caused Joseph to smile, "O'ho Bethlehem!  That's where everyone seems to be headed.  All the towns are crowded, but the old City of David's bursting at the seams.  David, greatest king ever was, but especially with the ladies!"  His  lusty grin stretched his lips as he gave a wink to Joseph, "Now, if it was me?  If I took another wife, the  one I have would break my head!  But, old David, not Him!"


Joseph and Mary smiled at one another.  "Times have changed.  How much for the ride?"  "Two drachmas for you and the beast.  No charge for the lady, although for her I should charge double."  He laughed at his joke and went on, "I trust you have kinfolk in the city?"  "Not any more," Joseph answered.  "We're planning to stay at the inn."  "The inn?  You'll be lucky to find a corner for your donkey at the inn." He joked with them throughout the entire journey crossing the river.


Joseph lifted Mary back onto her "saddle"  and strode along beside her at a faster pace--in a hurry to get to the inn, hoping one room would be available.  "What would I do," he thought, "if birth pangs started?  Who would be there to attend her?"  True, he had seen animals born, but Mary? The babe who was to come forth from Mary was a being so significant that it staggered the imagination.  What was he to do?  And she had been entrusted to him.  He, too, had been chosen.


Mary, too, was concerned.  Every instinct she had warned her.  Her time was not far off.  They must reach Bethlehem!  But where would they go if there were no rooms for them? Partly to quell their fears they laughed again at the man on the ferry who was always joking.


The worst heat of the day had finally passed and the world seemed wonderfully cool.  That evening, Joseph snared a partridge which he blessed and bled and roasted over the coals.  Mary had managed to set some bread each morning to be baked each evening.  That night they feasted and although tasting of smoke, the bird and bread were delicious.


"Our last night  on the road," Mary said wistfully. "For some reason I almost hate to have our journey end."  Joseph, too, wished to prolong it, "It's been good, just the two of us like this." During the night's stay, Joseph kept busy feeding the fire, then finally, put down a pallet of cloaks and skins for Mary and rolled her up in them.  He knelt to kiss her before he wrapped himself in his cloak and lay down by her side. They had never felt as happy, never had they seen the sky so beautiful, covered with stars, and now and then one darting off to brilliantly escape.  Drawing nearer for warmth and holding fast to each other's hands, they fell asleep.


End of  today's story.  More tomorrow, God willing!


Have you loved someone like Mary loves Joseph?  I have.  I do.  Perhaps I am not as perfect in my love as Mary or Joseph, but their love  and mine is perfected by the Spirit of God.  He is the One who is perfect, and in His love, mine can be perfected, and for this I thank and praise Him.


Jo INMN

ON THEIR WAY

How many pages do we have left of our story taken from the words of Marjorie Holmes in her book TWO FROM GALILEE?  I'm not sure, but we are still on the way to Bethlehem; so let's get to it.


For four days they traveled through old towns of Nair, Sunem and Jezreel, then eastward across the boggy plains of Esdraelon until they reached the Jordan.  Then they would go southward through the  valley until they climbed again into the hills of Judea.


But not through Samaria.  The hatefulness between the Samaritans and Israelites had worsened.  Why must there be these eternal hostilities? Will there ever be peace?  Perhaps through the miracle she was carrying--The Messiah--perhaps through Him we will have peace, together in the love of God.


Smiling at Joseph, Mary said," As long as we're together, I don't care how long the journey!"  She rode beside him without complaint, either of the cold wind which ground grit into their faces or the quick contrast of the desert's hot breath.  In spite of all this, Mary could only smile, half in pleasure at being with Joseph, and half in reverie of the coming child.  Even as she dozed, she smiled.


Joseph hoped this would be the last day of their journey.  His feet burned, his body unutterably weary but he knew he suffered little next to Mary.  His thoughts were so often about her, her comfort at  question, and he marveled at her peace.  That she had chosen to come with him was a marvel in itself, he thought.  Gazing at her  in amazement, he said, "Mary, have you any idea how beautiful you are?"


Mary only laughed, knowing of her own dishevelment.  Joseph laid his cheek against hers and after pouring a bit of water from one of the bags, proceeded to wash her dusty face--if only to cool it a little.  He set her down for her to get a bit of a walk, and she asked him, "I must of slept.  Where are we?"


"Not far from Jerico.  See, there's the river.  We should be there by nightfall or even beyond.  And tomorrow night, if all goes well, we shall sleep in Bethlehem.  "I hope so," Mary had not realized how weak she was until she began to tremble when she stood. Still smiling, she said, "The sooner we get to Bethlehem the better it will be."  And Joseph, immediately concerned, "Are you all right, beloved?  Are you well?"  "Yes, yes"-- she responded, "it's only riding so long.  Come, I'll walk beside you."


"Very well, then, I'll ride!" he joked, and made Mary laugh.  But she answered, "Would that you could, my poor Joseph!  Or have a camel, or a horse like the Romans!"  Joseph, still humoring "Would that you were right, for then I would be rich and able to better provide for you and your child."


"Our child," she said. "This child that the Lord has given us for our protection and care has been promised into our keeping, yours and mine!"  "But I didn't father him," he said quietly.  "Nothing can ever change that.  I'm not protesting, Mary.  It is beyond that, yet you must agree--there  is no way to change that fact."


"No."  She pressed his hand.  "And I know it matters to you.  You would be less of a man if  it did not matter, and I--surely I would love you less."  Groping for the right words she added, "In many ways he will be more your son than mine." "More!" he argued.  "Yes, more," she insisted.  "A father is important in Israel to teach him the ways of the world, and of God and the Law.  Once he is born and suckled, my task will be largely finished.  But yours?  Yours will only be beginning!


Joseph wasn't sure of that.  "He who will come to us will be the very son of God!"  But Mary added, "Yes, and perhaps he will need your help even more!"  She continued, "He, the one who is to lead Israel out of troubles, surely he will have to be very strong, and wise.  And I...I don't know...but I feel in my heart that he will come to us innocent and uninformed like any other child, needing us to guide him as well as the One who sends him.  Both of us!  But you especially, Joseph. That's why you were chosen.  For you were chosen--your honor is as great as mine."


A thrill of hope ran through him.  He knew she was seeing this as she wished to, because she loved him.  He knew that he would never be as significant in the eyes of God, as Mary.  But her words had inspired and consoled him.  He had been given an unanticipated new dimension to his destiny.
(End of today's story)


I wish for you; no.. pray that you will encounter a new dimension to your life today, too.  That's what life is all about, all under the love of God.


Jo INMN

' OH, BETHLEHEM!

And a happy, good Monday morning to all! We are continuing the story within the story of TWO FROM GALILEE, by Marjorie Holmes. Hope you will join us.


Joseph had let Mary sleep as long as he dared. Now, he must waken her.  "If we are to be off before daylight we must get started."  They were to be on their way to Bethlehem!  Mary could feel his strong hands lifting her up as she fought to awaken.  She gave herself over to his strength and still half asleep, leaned against him.  "Oh, Joseph.  I am so sorry..."  She was usually up before him.
"You will need your rest, my beloved," he said, and kissed her hair. "Dress warmly, it will be cold until the sun rises."


She shivered as she bathed, glad that the bread she had put to bake  on the coals the night before smelled ready to eat.  They ate hurriedly, a sense of urgency upon them, yet mixed with the excitement of taking a journey together.  And realizing that when they returned they may be returning with a baby! Underneath all the mixed feelings, a fear deep within added to their challenge.


As Mary tidied up, she found it hard to leave her new home--the gifts from their betrothal day and her lovely new table made by Joseph's hands.  When would she see it all again?  Yet she must go.
Joseph had made many trips in and out loading the donkey.  He had strapped a tent across its back, forming a saddle of sorts.  Packages containing dried foods, cooking vessels and extra clothing hung from the donkey's sides.  He even added some tools, having no idea how long they would be  gone.  He may have to find work along the way.  Now, for their next stop--to fill the water bags and they are ready to go.


It was growing lighter and a rooster crowed as Hannah and Joachim came down the hill.  Hannah, her selfishness forgotten, only had concern for Mary.  Fighting back her own tears, Mary kissed her mother's wet cheek.  Then Joseph lifted Mary up onto the donkey.  Heavy as she was, he lifted her easily.  Hannah noticed this, and for the first time acknowledged what her husband believed:  If any man could take care of Mary in her coming ordeal, that man was Joseph!


"Goodbye, be careful," Joachim said gruffly.  "Join up with a party, if you can.  The route through the hills may hold robbers."  He moved closer to Joseph, "Take this; you'll need it," and he pressed a few coins into Joseph's hand.  "For the little one," he added.  Joseph answered with cheer, "Don't worry.  God will be with us!  Joachim knew he must let them go, "Yes, yes, God will be with you."  But he raised his hand with a further blessing, "God be with you and keep you, my children."


And the three, the donkey carrying Mary with Joseph beside her progressed down the street.  As Hannah stared after them, she whispered, "Oh, God, help them!"  And Joachim echoed her thought, "He'll help them, for He is leading them on the journey.  He is taking them to the city of David which is Bethlehem."  Joachim continued to gaze after the donkey and its burden as it first would appear, then disappear in and out of the morning fog. "But thou, O Bethlehem," he quoted from the Book of Micah, "though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler of Israel..."  Joachim's voice shook even as he felt Hannah's hand trembling on his arm.  "Therefore," he went on, "will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth..."  Hannah's fingers had gripped his hand hard, making him stop speaking.
 
"Bethlehem!" she said, "she who is in travail!"  The great knowledge awoke in her and Hannah's face broke from the enormous grip of knowing the truth of it and she dissolved into tears and lifted her face to heaven.  "Oh, God!  Why did you deny me this truth for so long? My God!  My God!"


Joachim, wordlessly, drew her to him.  Still crying she said, "I know. I must have known...but I didn't dare...after all my vanity and pride."  Far below them, the road emerged from the fog and the parents could see clearly the three of them--donkey, the tall man walking beside it and their daughter, so small upon the beast.  Hannah began to run, breaking away from Joachim, calling, "Mary!  Mary!"  But Joachim caught her and restrained her, even as she wept wildly, "Let me go. Let me give her at least this--I believe.  Oh, Mary, I too believe!  (End of today's part of story)


I believe, too.  Do you believe also?  I hope you can find God in your heart, for without Him, I wonder how anyone can believe this incredible story!  Yet, it is as real as my own self.  And you cannot see me in person, either.  Can you?


Your friend in Him,
Jo INMN

A DECREE FROM CEASAR

Again, thanks to M. Holmes for her book TWO FROM GALILEE.  This blog is  my rendition based on her book and the story of Mary and Joseph.  Some of her details I have copied, but all of the thoughts were originally from her mind and from the Bible.  Again, the story continues:


Word  of a decree had only just reached Nazareth and Joseph, hearing it discussed in his shop, was angry.  "New taxes are going to be levied throughout the entire Roman world, and to make sure no one fails to pay up, they are taking a new census.  They've ordered every adult male to proceed at once to the place of his birth to be registered and counted.  For me that means Bethlehem."


The family, having dinner together at Hannah's table, stared at him as they recognized the difficulties which were presented by this news.  "But you can't leave Mary!" someone said.  Joachim answered, scowling, "He's got no choice  To defy those swine would mean imprisonment!  As if our taxes aren't already high enough."


But he hushed, for there was still a constant in their lives, and the trumpets blew, signaling the time for the Sabbath lamps to be lit.  "In the light shall we see light," he prayed.  The sweet wine was poured, cool to the taste from the tinkling cups and they each tried to be at peace.  And afterward, when the Scripture was usually discussed, they could speak of nothing but the latest insult and its terrible complications for Joseph and Mary, especially.


"I'll have to prepare for the trip as soon as the Sabbath ends," Joseph told Joachim.  "I should leave early in the week.  Fortunately, my brothers can register here and look after the shop."  It was then that he looked over at Mary, who was helping clear the table.  "As for Mary, my mother will look after her."


Hannah turned swiftly, "We'll look after her."  She felt thrilled to think of bringing the child into the world with her own hands.  "Hmmn," she thought,  "A late but undeniable squaring of accounts!"  It seemed to Hannah that life was always unfair to her.


But, Mary quietly crossed the room to stand by Joseph, "I want to go with you," she said.


"Mary, my beloved,! You can't, you mustn't! Joseph quickly spoke, and Hannah jumped right up and said, "He's right.  It's unthinkable.  The mountains are treacherous in the winter..and the night freezing.  You might lose the child!"


"I cannot lose the child," Mary quietly said.


"And what if your time comes out in the wilderness--among the jackals?  or somewhere along the road?"  Hannah, in a frenzy, accosted Joachim who was regarding his daughter strangely.


"We will take shelter," Mary said.  "We will be safe."


"Mary," Joseph gripped her hands, "Mary, you had better listens to your mother." And at this, Hannah pleaded with Joachim,  "Speak to her!" she begged,  Surely Joachim would not yield to Mary when so important an issue was at stake, "You're her father; she'll listen to you!"


Joachim ran his trembling hand against his grizzled jaw and slowly began to shake his head, "She must do what she must do."


And Mary said, "I must go with my husband.  I must journey with him to Bethlehem."
(End of today's story)


And that is how Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Each one of us has our own story, too.  Where we  were born and why we were born there.  What kind of circumstances had me born in a hospital in Chicago, IL?  I was born during the 30's Great Depression, and there was only one hospital in that
city which would take patients who could not afford to pay. Therefore, I was a hospital baby!  Most children were born at home in that day.  What's your story?


Loving each of you,


Jo INMN

AS TIME GOES ON...

(Continuing the adaptation for blog of TWO FROM GALILEE, thanks to author, M. Holmes)


Mary and Joseph had spent their first night together in the home Joseph was building with Mary soundly sleeping and Joseph studying the scriptures rather than tossing and turning.  He worried, "Will people be so offended by her pregnancy that they quit their patronage of his work?"  So, his faith floated in and out of him.


But, the farmers began to come in, wanting tools readied for spring.  He guessed people forgave easily in Nazareth, and even asked after his "good wife." His proud response of, "Fine, fine," was made as if the coming child was his own.  It was then the sweet breezes of God blew in and he could meet easily the challenge of his tasks.  He was working for love; either for the love of his wife or his love of God.  So, he whistled as he worked--and he prayed.


Snug in the house, Mary worked side by side with Timna, Joseph's mother, and felt at peace.  Timna was glad that Mary  had come home, but saddened that Joseph's father, having died earlier, would not be there to enjoy the wee one.  And "Jacob always looked forward to having a grandson to teach his trade."  Mary thought, "A carpenter's trade for the son of God?"  She dared not speak of it.


The rains finally stopped and the cold set  in.  Joseph tightened the cracks in their house and went up the hill to do the same for his father-in-law's home.  The women wove extra blankets and swaddling clothes for the babe of soft camel's hair.  Their old friends in Nazareth had many "Cures" for pain expected for the pregnant mother, and Mary, fearful of their tales, listened politely.


What really consumed Mary's attention was the earth and sky!  One merging with the other, resting after summer's life, already rich with the hidden burden of new life.  The ancient command, "Be fruitful and multiply!" would again be fulfilled, for soon the spring rains and the warm sun would once again fulfill God's command.  "How joyous it was!  How awesome!" she thought.  "And eternal!"  But, were they the only things fashioned by God destined to be eternal?  Or is there something more, something, perhaps meant to give the world through His coming child?"


As close as Mary was to Timna, it was her mother that she missed the most,  especially as her time grew nearer.  More and more often she climbed the hill to be with Hannah for a while.  Mary expected to be ordered about, but it felt good, curiously like being a little girl again. One day when they were dyeing yarn out in the yard, Mary asked her mother, "When my time comes you will be my midwife won't you, Mother?"  "Do you really want me?  What about Timna?" Hannah said.  Quickly, Mary said, "Mother, she isn't the midwife you are!  I wouldn't feel safe with anyone else."  Hannah, stabbing at the yarn she was dyeing, "All right, if that's what you want.  And, I hope it will go easy with you, my child."  "I'm not afraid, Mary answered.  "God will be with me."


 "He'd better be!" Hannah blurted.  "Mother!  Mother, must you always speak so?"  And Hannah replied, "I'm sorry, girl.  I have no gift of words.  I only meant that if this is god's doing, if it indeed is  the miracle you believe, why then will you need a crude servant like me?"  And Mary replied, "I don't know.  There is so much I still don't understand, myself. Another miracle may yet bring this divine child forth.  Yet I must be prepared, since I don't know all of God's plans." And she continued, "It's the not knowing that's hard.  It's that, and only that of which I am afraid, "I confess."


They were closer after that.  The air had been sweetened, finally, by their words and the coming event.  Thus when Joseph came up one night to join them for a meal, they were astounded at his news.  "There has been news from Caesar........" (End of today's story)


Thus, the plot thickens, just as our own lives also change as our plots thicken.  But, there must be no fear, for God's in charge of our lives, just as he was in the life of Joseph and Mary.


Love and trust, 
Jo INMN

WALKING HOME

A synopsis of the book TWO FROM GALILEE, by M. Holmes, ( continued..)


Mary and Joseph walked home, leaving the wedding of their cousin early, but could hear the merriment even at a distance. The moon was a quarter moon and circled around it was a shining band and within the arc burned a bright solitary star.  "The circle means the cold will be upon us soon," Joseph said, and Mary pulled her cloak more tightly around her.  "Winter will be full upon us when the little one arrives," she said.  Joseph reached out and drew her nearer, reassuring himself of her presence.  She was so very precious, doubly so in her pregnancy.  Even precious in the burden of disgrace that she had put upon him.  That was his burden to carry--and he must bear it gracefully as she bore her own growing burden.




He remembered some of the guests at the wedding, their sly looks when he made their excuse for leaving, "My wife is tired." He knew what some were thinking, "Oh, he longs to get her home to get her for himself, large as she is! A man who can't wait for his own wedding canopy..."  But, that doesn't matter.. only Mary matters.  But, it's a pity there is no way to spare her, for whatever is said to his discredit, reflects on her.


Mary said, "I'm very sorry if I spoiled your evening."  "You could spoil nothing for me, Mary," he answered.  "You are my life.  It is simply my fate to love you--you who are also the beloved of God."  They walked, silent, conscious of the music and voices drifting over from the wedding festivities.  He began to think of what was coming next for the new bride and groom, but then reminded himself that he did not want to have those thoughts.  The Lord had chosen him for this honor-- and trial. Was he strong enough?  He was not strong, he knew unhappily, and God knows that, too.  Why then, why?  Joseph lifted his head and voiced, "Perhaps that circle of light is a good omen for our cousins.  I hope so.  The circle is like a wedding band."  Mary, following his gaze, said, "Let's hope they'll be happy, Joseph, even though there is no love between them like you and I have."


Joseph's heart felt like it had broken,  "Love has rarely been considered important to a happy marriage in Israel."  "Perhaps someday it will change," Mary added. "This  child I carry within me?
I feel that he will change things.  Not put things like freeing our land and telling all the world there is but one true God, but things that affect the people like us, people who know the meaning of love."


Joseph pondered her words--the meaning of love.  He was her partner, her protector, and he had not lost her--that must be enough.  But his heart was raw.  Mary timidly continued speaking, "If it were not so, my darling, why would the Lord have wanted us to be earthly parents for his Son?"  Joseph laughed, "Who understands the ways of God?" And, following this, he had deep thoughts:  Isn't the meaning of love fulfillment and not denial?  At least, for a man?  This particular denial given to me; might it not be an exquisite form of punishment?  Yet, a holy child, the Lord's own son!  Such a responsibility would never be entrusted to a man God wished to hurt.  Mary was right! 


Joseph began to see beyond his confusion and pain.  They both must have been chosen because of their great love for one another.  We have so much love!  This child, whatever his destiny, will begin in a home filled with love, our love--Mary's and mine!


Perhaps desire was only one part of love, Joseph continued to think.  "Perhaps denial was important, too.  The death of self--necessary to be born anew in the happiness and safety of the beloved."  Desire and Denial.  These two wrestled within Joseph.  Denial accepted by his intelligence and will.  Desire--his passion, made up of nerves, tissue and blood--all essential to a man," and they both cried out for release.


Their cloaks began blowing about them, a gust of wind  coming up.  They approached their house with Joseph unbolting the door for Mary. He said, "I must see about the wood.  It will be a cold winter."  And Mary said, "I, too, must be busy and sew clothes for the baby.  I want everything ready when he comes."


Joseph stopped, gazing at Mary in the moonlight. "Mary, are you afraid?"  And she answered, "Not so long as you are with me."  His heart surged with joy!  He would have expected her to refer instead to God.  But she did not!  She wanted him!  (End of story for today)


I love their love, don't you?  What better human parents could Baby Jesus have had?


Loving each of you, too'


JoINMN

AN UPROAR AT HER COUSIN'S WEDDDING

(Based on TWO FROM GALILEE, by M. Holmes) Deborah's wedding was almost upon the village of Nazareth.  Salome, Mary's sister, had taken the place Mary was to have at  her cousin's wedding, that of bridesmaid. And Salome had been gone all day.  Hannah felt sad for Mary, missing this wedding, but ironically, filled with joy for Salome, who would never have the chance of serving at Mary's.  For there would be no wedding for Mary.


How it stung Hannah.  And she kept telling herself, "It doesn't matter...but I wish people would stop talking, always talking about Mary!"  When, in fact, the relatives were outraged at the rumors, as well, and were united to protect the family's name.


Hannah had begun to defend Mary and Joseph. "Mary is happy in the knowledge of her own purity and happy because Joseph is such a fine husband." When Hannah tried to explain Mary's situation by eluding to "the prophecy" and her kinswoman laughed at Hannah's suggestion, Hannah had no reply except to say, "You're right.  It would be hopeless to try and persuade others of such a thing."


Joachim had to order Hannah to Deborah's wedding, as she was so upset over the earlier conversation.  He said,  "If you truly love Mary, don't make more gossip possible.  You must go to Deborah's wedding."  She did her best to be presentable, and Joachim looked at her with fondness as she came to him.


At the picturesque wedding, the people saluted the bride with the polite thing to say at a wedding-"To the Hope of Israel!"  All those around took the words and voiced them, but Joachim did not join in the toast and just set down his cup.


A bit later, Hannah's heart was struck by the music and the wine and threw herself onto Cora, embracing her , saying, "I'm so happy for you!"  But Cora suddenly went tense and a little croak escaped her at a commotion in the doorway.  The music stopped.  Silence ensued until someone broke it with.."Mary! It's Joseph and Mary!"


Hannah overheard some despairing words about Mary and Joseph's arrival.  First, she went limp and then bridled, turned and was ready to fight, but Joachim's hand stopped her.  "No, Hannah!  We cannot spoil our niece's wedding!" 


As for Mary and Joseph, they were respectfully attentive of the bride. But Cora thought both of them so comely. There was something almost noble about them, making a mockery of their state--a carpenter and a woman in disgrace.  She was thebride's mother and she had the right to ask them to leave--or stay.  Something unexplainable stopped her from asking them to leave--a sweet light flowed almost tangibly from Mary.  And Joseph standing behind her, slightly cupped Mary's shoulder, &gave a gesture of love and loyalty, yet a gesture of a heart-broken man who would support his beloved regardless of all the world.  And much more Aunt Cora saw--a look of secret suffering and gentle commitment on his face, as if something had died within him, yet something new had been born.


Cora wanted an explanation but before she could demand one, Deborah, the beautiful bride, rushed forward, her hands outstretched--"Joseph!  And Mary, my cousin!  Oh, I thought you would never come," and she threw back her veil for Mary's kiss.


The news of the bridegroom coming sent people forward to see the procession.  The maids regrouped, holding their lamps high.  The music of the procession drew nearer, the flutes, tambori and lutes kept all in an air of festivity, yet suspenseful waiting for the Bridegroom to knock.


There would be singing and dancing and toasts most of the night before they would be finally led to the bridal chamber there to join each other  in the hope that out of their union might come forth a son who would be savior of them all.  This joyous phrase was repeated at all weddings.


But Mary and Joseph had left much earlier, and did not take part in the night-long festivities.


Thus,  there was a wedding, but it was not their own.  But could two people be any happier?
(End of today's story.  More tomorrow, God willing!)


Jo INMN

BACK WITHTHE FAMILY, MOMENTARILY

(Synopsis continues of M. Holmes' TWO FROM GALILEE)  Mary led the donkey to her house up the hill.   "Mary's come home!  Here comes Mary, Mother," the children called to Hannah  on the rooftop. Hannah set down her work and ran to meet her, with children close behind.  Begging for presents she most certainly would have brought, they waited breathlessly until Mary brought out a parcel and gave it to them.


Just then, Hannah arrived.  "Mother, Mother, I'm home!" Mary choked out the cry.  They clung together awkwardly as the burden Mary carried almost stopped Hannah entirely.  Hannah then called to the children, "Go fetch your Father," yet still gazed almost jealously at her first born.  Yet, while trying to re-gather herself from swooning with joy, part of her felt separated altogether from Mary for  she remembered the whispering in town and she knew Joachim's words of Mary in Jerusalem had merit, yet, she had not known the truth until now. Mary was carrying someone's baby!


Yet, Hannah could not believe all that was true, so she hurt Mary with these words, "I should think you would have been counting the hours until you could get back to your betrothed who might be willing to hide your shame."  And Mary's answer to that remark was, "Must you speak to me so, Mother?  I am so weary... and so glad to be home!"


"Well, I speak out of my concern," Hannah said, and my own weariness." Turning on her heel, she added, "Come in and rest.  Let me bathe your feet and help you out of the fine clothes. I suppose you got them from Elizabeth!"  Mary answered slowly, "yes, my aunt was very kind and generous." "Well, she can afford to be, "Hannah remarked.  And Mary responded after a short pause, "She sends her love, Mother, her dearest love to you and all the family.  There are gifts for all in my knapsack.  She is very soon to deliver.  Even now, perhaps, she is holding her baby in her arms. She has prayed for a long time for this little one."


Hannah dipped a  gourd into a stone jug of water and began to sponge Mary's swollen feet.  "Jacob, Joseph's father died, did you know?"  "Joseph told me only a little while ago," Mary answered. "And he's coming for me, Mother.  He'll be here to get me within the hour."


"No!...Oh, no!" Hannah cried out, and she knew something within her had been torn away!  "Wait, come inside.  Let's say no more of this until your father appears."  And she called out shrilly for him, "Joachim!"


Knowing her call must have something to do with Mary, Joachim dropped the broken plow handle he was trying to fix and started up the path. Upon arriving, he was dismayed at Mary's news.  "Now?"  This night?"  He, too was shocked.  But he immediately recognized with remorse that he needed to keep Joseph's good will, still, he reacted with, "You can't go, Mary!! you've been away so long and only just now come home."


"I must go to be with my husband, Father.  Surely you see how it is with me.  Even the children noticed."  And she knelt by her dowry chest and began to sort the things she would need the soonest:  sheets, napkins, and pillows... linens she and her mother had worked on when they thought her marriage would be consummated not in haste, but in celebration.  "Surely you will agree that the sooner I go to live with my husband the better."


Hannah's eyes betrayed her feelings.  "Then you know what people are saying?"  "Yes," Mary answered. "And I know how much it must have hurt you.  All the more reason to go to Joseph's.   Joseph has sent the mourners' home.  He's washing himself even now, and changing to other clothes.  He's bade his mother and sisters to prepare the evening meal and--if you are willing--if you and my father will come to share it," she added hopefully, "it would add to our happiness."


Hannah went also to Mary's dowry chest, and sounding quite piteous, said, "No wedding.  No happy procession, no torches, no music, no feast--after all our plans--our daughter to be led off with a bowed head into a small cave that is yet to become a house!"  Then, Joachim spoke up, rather forcefully, "Let's not moan about no wedding!  Rather, let's be thankful that Joseph's willing to take our girl as his wife!"


Mary, too, spoke.  "Father's right.  What if I had been betrothed to someone else?  Is it likely another man would accept my story and have me as I am?"  But Hannah, accusing, answered, "He's always loved you, beyond all reason.  He's simply unwilling to give you up!"  But Mary insisted, "Surely you don't think it would be better if Joseph abandoned me!  Joseph believes!!"  The wonder of it made Mary's face glow with love.  "He believes. He is not taking me out of kindness to spare me, or even because he loves me.   But only-at last- because-- he too, believes!"  Her whole being was alive with the truth, and she added, "He knows now that this is not shame that has befallen me, but honor--that I am honored above all women!"


"Now, Joseph's house is almost finished.  We'll sleep there this night.  And we'll go into his house proudly--not with bowed heads--knowing how great a thing has befallen us.  Both of us. For no matter what people are saying, they are wrong.  This child that I carry is the child of no man, but as I  told you both in the beginning, the child of Him who created us all.  The child is destined to be our deliverer." And she followed with, "Oh!  Mother!  I beg you to try to believe for your own soul's  peace!"
(End of today's story.)


And may peace be with you, also, my dear reader!


Jo INMN

WHEN MARY RETURNS

 It is Monday, and back we go to the story of Mary and Joseph, first written in the Bible, then magnified skillfully by Marjorie Holmes in her book, TWO FROM GALILEE written some time ago. Our story is only bits and pieces of her book, the story shortened to be only a hint of the beginning life of our Lord Jesus Christ through the lives of his human parents, Mary and Joseph and their love story.


We come again, to Joseph's home where he had been just visited by an angel who told him that his job and future was to take as his wife, Mary, his  own precious love, but he was not to "know" her until after the Babe was born.  From this point on, Joseph was determined to rush to Jerusalem to bring her home, but he discovers his father, Jacob, has died and Joseph is needed desperately in Nazareth.


As his father lay on his death bed, Joseph begged his father's forgiveness for the selfish and unloving attitude he had nurtured for himself.  As he knelt before Jacob's body he cried out, "Father!,Father!"...
Joseph knelt before Jacob whose eyes glittered from the early light from the coins placed upon their lids.  Joseph hoped his father's soul had not yet departed as he cried, "Father!  Listen and hear!  It is not shame that Mary brings to us; it is glory! She is carrying the holy child that has been prophesied so long ago.  And I, your son, am to be involved as her husband and keeper of the child!  The family of Jacob is to be honored above all men that this wondrous thing is coming to pass!"


Joseph stumbled to his feet as the women of the village entered with basins and fragrant spices to wash Jacob's body for burial...And Joseph was astonished to see the women were being led by Hannah, Mary's mother!  When the day was nearly gone, the men came, lifted Jacob to their shoulders and carried him into the hills to the family burial cave.  And this was the journey that Joseph made that day....instead of the one to Jerusalem!


In common decency, Joseph could not leave until after the period of mourning, in spite of the warning by the angel who had said, "Don't delay!"  So, he made his plans for Jerusalem even as he grieved for Jacob.  But on the final day of mourning, Joseph saw her!  "Is it an illusion?" he wondered.  HIs head was light from fasting and the heat's sweat trickled into his eyes.  But, there was a donkey plodding along carrying the likeness of Mary!


She slid down, took a step toward him, but he lifted a hand to keep her away, for he was unclean from touching his father's face in his goodbye.  "Joseph?" she said, and began to tremble,  her anticipation draining away.  "Joseph, aren't you glad to see me?"


She was different, but her beauty was still there.  He saw the dark hair, damp and curling, her sweet mouth, and shining eyes.  She had pushed her veil back and he saw her hair brushed in a new way; and she had gold circlets in her ears.  Her gown was shimmering blue, like the sky, too fine for Nazareth.  He was dazzled and dazed at the same time.


"Joseph, you're in mourning! "Who?" she whispered, as sounds of mourning came from the house.  "My father, Jacob," Joseph answered.  And Mary responded as her face took on sorrow; "Oh, Joseph, I grieve, too for the love of my beloved's father."


Longing for her hit Joseph--to touch her, hold her-- and relief that she had returned to him.  He was overcome with feelings for her, but steadied himself to say, "What brings you back to Nazareth?"
And she answered with a whisper, "My need for you , Joseph."


"Mary, blessed Mary.  My blessed, my beloved.  Forgive me for ever doubting." Joseph spoke as if she might break.   "I know now," and then his voice raised loudly, "I know!"  He did crouch then at her feet and kissed the hem of her gown.
(End of story for today)


Quite a beautiful love they have, isn't it?  The love of my life hasn't been as glamorous and certainly not as well-known, but it has been very, very good and precious, too, to Jerry and to me.  I hope the same for each one of you.


Hoping, also, that these words help to make a more meaningful Christmas for you all.


JO INMN