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Topic: Christmas Cards (11/06/08)
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TITLE: Glad Tidings | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lynne Eliason
11/10/08 -
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The long awaited missive had arrived. A teenage boy with curly brown hair and well-worn dusty sandals had just delivered the parchment scroll tied with frayed hemp cord. He had accepted a drink of cool well water with pleasure and scurried on. She sat down on a stone bench in the bright sunlight outside the door of her dwelling, lovingly untying it, her heart eager to know. As a mother, she whispered, “Please God, let the words bring forth good news.” She read with a calm urgency carefully deciphering the words:
“Shalom,
As I scribe this, Joseph and I and our child are on our way to Egypt. Much has taken place to require us to make this hasty flight and I must let you know that we are well. We have experienced great joy at a price, but must remind ourselves that God has a plan for us.
Our journey to Bethlehem was sometimes tedious, but the child within me seemed content to not yet arrive. Once we had completed our census with the registrar, my birthing pangs were upon me and Joseph searched intently for a suitable place for my confinement. The inns were completely filled. One particular innkeeper offered us a stable built in the side of a hill. We were grateful, as it was warm and dry. We, of course, were joined by several beasts, including our donkey, a few docile cattle, some very woolly sheep and a few doves cooing from the rafters. It really did seem a fitting place for our child to be born in such humble surroundings.
We are thankful for this birth of a Son. He is ever so precious and we will call him Jesus, as it appeared that we should. The babe spent his first hours wrapped in swaddling clothes and He slept peacefully in a manger. He seems to be particularly attentive and we adore Him. When I hold Him and touch His cheek, I feel as though I am caressing the face of God.”
The woman wiped tears of love and pride from her face. Her daughter was well and had given birth to a boy child. Praise God, as He is good. She gathered her thoughts and read on:
“Please be assured that Joseph is a good man. He sees to my needs and is ever so patient with the babe. He seems to understand what we must do and does so without question. He speaks of looking forward to teaching Jesus his carpentry craft and of the times they will study together in the Temple.
We’ve had several delightful visitors. Shepherds from the hillside came often and were reverent of our child. They spoke of heavenly hosts bringing the message to them of His birth and seem to be in awe of Him. It is wonderful! I already feel in my heart that He will be a special child, perhaps truly doing the work of the Lord.
Our stable was blessed by the arrival of the Magi. They had traveled from afar on their gentle striding camels following an eastern star above Bethlehem graciously bearing gifts only proper for a King. Jesus was presented with gold trinkets, the pungent frankincense and oil of myrrh. These very wise men counseled us and told of tales of Herod‘s court, some of them seeming quite unsettling.
A few nights later Joseph envisioned an angel of God directing us to flee for the sake of our newborn Son. Thus, we are traveling to Egypt with godspeed. I cannot bear the thought of something forsaken happening to our sweet child and we will protect him according to God‘s will. Prayers that we can someday soon return to Nazareth to raise Jesus among his people.
So, dear family and friends, rejoice in the news of our dear Son’s birth! God foretells that the presence of Jesus will change lives. From this day forward we should all celebrate his birth each year as a reflection of God‘s love. In that alone we will be together even when we are apart.
Shalom,
Mary, Joseph, & Jesus”
Mary’s mother wrapped her homespun shawl about her and pondered the words she’d just read. She lifted her face to the sunshine and praised God again. Then she entered her home and laid the scroll on the mantle for all to observe. There was much to be done, a feast to be prepared. The tradition had begun.
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Love,
Norms