Matthew 2: 1-18
It has been suggested by scholars that it took the Magi a year to travel and find the Christ Child in Bethlehem. A year! Some suggest they may have even set off on their journey before Mary was even pregnant – how amazing is that?! However, ‘When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the Child and His Mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.’ Matt. 2: 13 ‘… And a sword shall pierce your soul’ Jesus was still only a very young Child, a toddler perhaps and Mary finds herself fleeing to Egypt for safety, a strange land. Herod had commanded the murder of every little boy two years ole and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. He was determined to kill the Christ Child. ‘… And a sword shall pierce your soul’ Mary and Joseph fleeing in order to protect their Child. A strange land … A strange culture … A strange language … everything was strange. I wonder in the midst of her no doubt fear for their lives did Mary ask: ‘How can I serve the Lord in a strange land?
Or, did she pray like Jabez: 1 Chronicles 4:10 ‘Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted His request.’
As we stand on the threshold of a New Year having journeyed through Advent with Mary and realizing ‘There really is something about Mary’ so much we can learn and apply to our own lives. As we look at the strange ahead of us. No knowing what the New Year will hold, or to what strange lands it will take us, may we really know ‘Immanuel, God with us’. May we hear the angels message to Mary and claim it for ourselves: ‘Fear not, for I am with you’ … ‘Be not dismayed for I am your God’ … I will strengthen and uphold you with my righteous right hand …’ and pray:
‘For the far future I cannot see
Promise Your presence travel with me.
Sunshine or shadows I cannot tell
You know I love You – all will be well,
You know I love You – all will be well.’
And there is more, so very much more we could discover and learn from Mary in many ways. I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface. However, I do sincerely pray that these heartfelt musings will have reached, touched, blessed, encouraged and challenged your heart this Advent season.
May GBY real good throughout 2012, with much love and prayers,
Glad
Glad Ljungholm
Major
Divisional Candidates Officer
North Western Division
Make sure you keep writing for us in 2012 Glad - thanks & GBYRG!!!
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