ALIVE: Chapters 109, His First Forty Days in a Body
/Divided evenly, each of the twelve days of Christmas in the “compression chamber” lasted two and a half years, however, Day One, the first 2 1/2 years, actually the first 40 days was the most action packed time. Although I would want to write one Chapter per Day for each of the twelve days of Christmas, in Chapter 108 I stopped after the circumcision to let it sink in because it was too powerful to go on. Imagine that God, the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, was circumcised to fulfill the covenant between God and Abraham. The covenant was that God vowed to make the 99 year old childless vagabond, the father of many nations and kings, and would possess the land currently occupied by the Cannaanites. Jesus, the king of kings, was the one to bring father-Abraham most of the nations of the earth. If God can make a 99 year old childless man the father of many nations, He can do anything! If God can give a vagabond a whole country, He can do anything. But God didn’t do this all alone. He required the faith and righteousness of Abram.
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After leaving Esther’s home the little family was full and content. She had prepared a feast and brought in friends to celebrate the bris of this sweet little family from Nazareth. Welcoming strangers is a mitsvah, a good deed. After the party Joseph, Mary and Jesus went back to their room at the inn feeling content and sleepy. They were glad that the following day would be the Sabbath. Mary tidied up their room, Jesus slept, Joseph read.
When they woke up the next morning Joseph decided that the time was right for the conversation he had been meaning to have with Mary. While she was nursing, Joseph said, “When should we leave for Nazareth? We can make the presentation there. I’d like to get back to my work. Besides, what if Rachel is planning her wedding? I think I need to be there.”
Mary replied, “But we are so close to Jerusalem. How can the Son of God not have His presentation at the Temple my dear? It is fitting. We must stay down here until the presentation and then we can go back, okay?”
“Oh, of course, I didn’t think of that.” replied Joseph sheepishly.
Mary added, “We can leave for Jerusalem whenever you want though. In fact, I’d love to go home to Jerusalem. We can check to see if mother’s house is occupied, if not, we can stay there. I can show off my baby to my house Mother and my friends at school!”
“Aha!” said Joseph, “You are a shrewd one my dear. Okay, but promise me that we can return to Nazareth the day after the presentation, or even that afternoon.”
“I promise.” said Mary thrilled with anticipation that they would be going to Jerusalem, and then she switched sides so the Baby could suckle the other side.
Joseph said, “I will go out and look for transport, and let the innkeeper know that we will be leaving, and settle our account. We may have to wait for transport. It is still pretty busy with the census, I don’t know if I can get a coach, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you dear, I love you.” smiled Mary very pleased with her kind and accommodating husband.
“I love you too my dear.” replied Joseph matter-of-factly.
“I know! I can tell” said Mary with a big smile in her sparkling eyes.
Joseph put on his cloak and exited the room shutting the door gently behind him. Mary hummed as her Son nursed. She was excited about visiting her friends and shopping in Jerusalem. It was time for a new frock.
Baby Jesus fell asleep nursing. Mary stopped singing and sat quietly holding him in her arms. She was afraid to put him down on the bed, lest she wake him. As she sat paralyzed in her motherliness, she wondered if her Baby was dreaming, and what He could be thinking, being the Wisdom of the Ages. She also thought of leaving Bethlehem. She would go visit Esther to let her know, and say good bye to the kind staff of the inn. She had to pack.
Several hours later Joseph came storming into the room surprising Mary with his jubilance. “Mary, you’ll never believe this! I secured the coach that I built! It was the very one that attracted the priest and brought us together!”
Mary laughed with her husband. “Our Lord never ceases to amaze us. How did He do that?!” added Mary joining in Joseph’s jubilance, “You know, I have never seen this coach. It must be beautiful!”
“I must admit, it was one of my finest pieces.”
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The little family left for Jerusalem three days later. As the coach was driving away from the village, Mary looked back at the town and thought to herself, “Oh Bethlehem of King David, and now Jesus, oh humble but magnificent village!”
The trip was very short compared to their journey from Nazareth. Both Joseph and Mary were glad for that because the Baby cried loudly most of the way. She didn’t know why and try as they did to comfort Him, nothing worked, not even offering suckle. The driver was most annoyed and they could tell that he speeded his camels. Even the camels didn’t mind galloping to Jerusalem, which made the ride bumpier and the Baby cry louder.
By the time they arrived, everyone was frazzled as frazzled as could be, except the Baby who, wide-eyed and alert, looked around at Jerusalem. What a new vantage point?! Of course the Baby didn’t know why He was so fascinated by the big city, having lost all memory of its founding and its kings and temples, but deep down inside the Child there was a subconscious sense of the profound relationship He had and would have with this sacred city.
The coach driver said good bye tersely. Joseph nodded.
A young boy with his cart ran up to the family, spotting their satchels and offered his services which Joseph kindly accepted.
“Let’s go to the realtor to find out if mother’s house is occupied.” suggested Mary taking charge in her town.
“Yes, do you remember where he lives?” asked Joseph
“Of course.” she replied. Mary was glad to be home. She longed to take her baby to visit her parent’s tomb to introduce their Grandson.
“Look who’s here,” said the realtor when they arrived at his office. “Why if it isn’t Mary and with a Baby!!!”
“Mary blushed and said, “Is mother’s home vacant? We just arrived from Bethlehem where we had to go for the census, and there our Baby was born. I want to stay in Jerusalem until the presentation, and then we will return to Nazareth.”
“I’m afraid it is occupied my lady, but I will find you shelter. Remember the rooming house where your parents stayed when they would come to visit you as a child? I know the man who runs it now. You stay here and rest, my wife will take care of you and I will run over and ask.”
“I’ll join you.” said Joseph.
“Come, let’s go.” replied the realtor.
The two men walked briskly through the busy streets of Jerusalem and arrived at the boarding house. Fortunately, the proprietor was there. “Shalom! What have we here?”
“Shalom. Do you have a room for this man and his wife and infant?”
The proprietor looked at Joseph to size him up and grimaced that he appeared too old to have a wife and child. Betraying his own thoughts he replied,”Yes, as a matter of fact, I had tenants leave room 3 this morning. How long will you be needing the room? “
Without hesitation, Joseph replied, “For a about a month. We want to stay until we can present our son at the Temple and then we will return to Nazareth.”
Pleased to hear the extent of the stay, the owner replied. “ Good, now sign here and pay one week in advance, every week starting today, until the week before you leave my humble home.”
The men finished their business, having gone to inspect the room and exchanging the key. Joseph went back to fetch Mary and the Baby feeling relieved that it went so well. The Baby was fussy again, this time from becoming overly tired and overly stimulated. He was in need of a dark quiet room and his mother’s lullabies. Instead He was in a bustling city with animals neighing and people shouting and children making all sorts of children sounds.
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Mary was relieved too that Joseph found a room so quickly. She asked Joseph to carry the screaming Child because she needed a break. Joseph hesitated, but he was too good a man to resist, so he took the little bundle of loud emotions in his strong old arms, and directed the boy with the bags to follow them to the room. The little troop provided both entertainment and annoyance to everyone whose orbit they passed through.
When they arrived in the room, the Baby was still fussing, interrupted only for enough seconds to gasp for His breath between whales of exhaustion, Mary quickly found the chair, sat down, and held out her arms for Joseph to pass him to her which he was happy to do. After paying the boy, and shutting the door, Joseph plopped himself on the bed. Mary hugged her baby and rocked him to get Him to settle down before His feeding so He wouldn’t get colic and make them miserable for hours more.
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Baby Jesus grew more awake and alert as the days passed. At almost two weeks old He was easily entertained by His mommy who made funny faces at Him to make Him smile, and she continued to sing to Him. Joseph and Mary held the Baby whenever they said their morning and evening prayers together.
Baby Jesus was a normal baby in every way, except Mary wouldn’t know that because she had never been exposed to babies before.
Mary enjoyed her days in Jerusalem very much. Much more than Joseph, who had no business there and continued to be anxious to get back to Nazareth. He accompanied Mary to the tomb of her parents where they lingered for hours, and her mother’s garden, and of course the school.
Joseph visited with the priest while Mary and the Baby visited with Mother and many of her other teachers. She was so proud and content to be home again. Her Baby was very cooperative and didn’t fuss until they returned to the room, where He let it be known that He was hungry and overtired.
The family soon settled into city life. Mary being the happiest, followed by Baby Jesus. Joseph patiently waited for each sunset.
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It had been 33 days since the circumcision and finally the big day came when Baby Jesus was 40 days old.
Mary bathed her little baby Boy and dressed Him in His finest outfit, the one that she had saved just for this occasion from the time that she stayed with cousin Elizabeth and they made baby clothes together. She dressed herself too in her new blue frock. She felt so elegant and so mature.
Joseph entered the room holding the cage containing two frightened doves squawking, one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering as required in the law. They had reason to be fidgety and loud for soon their throats would be cuts as a sacrifice of atonement on Mary’s behalf, to render her ceremonially clean. Then she could enter the temple legally and present her Son to God.
As many times as Joseph witnessed the act of sacrificing burnt offerings and sin offerings, he still was moved to compunction watching the innocent animals die for him. Increasingly in those days, he would hear the men murmur how primitive the act was, and didn’t believe in its efficacy, but not Joseph. Joseph was aware of the chasm between him and God. There were so many laws. God must have made them for His reason, but some he couldn’t remember, others he didn’t have time to honor. He knew that he needed the offerings, if only to acknowledge the breach between his behavior and God’s will. Yes, death is truly the price of sin, the effect of sin, and he was grateful to the sacrifice for paying the price for him, to give him another chance to be more conscientious every day, with every thought, word and deed.
It had been 33 days since the circumcision. Baby Jesus had matured so beautifully, so gradually that Joseph had almost forgotten how delicate he had been. He was a little heavier; he laughed more and cried louder.
Joseph and Mary walked to the temple without speaking. Joseph carried the Child in his strong arms. He was old, but fit from years of sawing and hammering and chiseling, of lifting logs and carrying them, or heaving them on carts. His work did not allow the man to grow weak with age. No longer was the baby in swaddling clothes. His little arms and legs stretched and He flung them around with glee. As he looked at this little Boy, it was apparent that He was happy with his little body. His little fingers discovered their ability to grasp.
But today, as they walked to the temple He was wrapped in a blanket to keep warm. And He was calm. Whether because He sensed the gravity of the day, or because he sensed His parents’ majestic march, Jesus was cooperating. No tears, no fussing, just being.
An hour before Mary and Joseph left their room, a pious old man named Simeon left his small apartment in Jerusalem where he lived alone, to go to the temple to pray. The days of heavy labor had been behind Simeon for many years. He was grateful for his daughter who fed him, but he chose to live alone and only go to her house for a meal when he wanted one. He needed less and less food to survive. This was an ordinary day for Simeon. He recited in his mind psalms as he walked. Once inside the temple, he stood breathing in the aromatic incense that would carry his prayers up to heaven.
There he was on an ordinary day, living his ordinary life. His vocation as the Lord seemed to tell him in his heart was to wait. Simeon, whether it was real or not, imagined that the Lord had told him that one day he would see the Lord’s Messiah. When he, out of enthusiasm confided this to his daughter, she mocked him, and so he never mentioned it again.
Simeon had been in the dark aromatic temple long enough for ten psalms when in came The little family. This was not unusual. Every day there was a presentation, or an offering for one reason or another. He overheard the prayers of purification and the sounds of the doves being sacrificed without looking up, for the woman was still unclean. Only, as he heard the priest pray, out of respect, Simeon silenced his own mind.
After the mother’s cleansing, it was time to present the Infant. Simeon then raised his old head and looked over at the little family. He watched with uncommon interest as the priest took the Child and raised Him on high to present Him to God. The Child did not cry, as all the other baby boys did. He was unusually quiet, even solemn, if it is possible for a baby to be solemn.
Mary didn’t think it unusual, but Joseph made note in his mind. His other sons cried loudly when being lifted up, feeling vulnerable, for fear of being dropped. Simeon watched the ceremony with keen interest. When the priest finished his prayers, he turned and presented the baby to His father. Then the priest congratulated the family and walked away.
Simeon approached the family and introduced himself. “May I please see your Child?”
Joseph, sensing the reverence of the old man replied, “Yes you may,” and he carefully moved the blanket away from His placid face. Simeon looked at the Child and tears welled up in his blue eyes. The Baby smiled, he giggled and cooed, and even with His little arms and legs, the Baby showed pleasure to Simeon.
Then Mary and Joseph heard Simeon praising God. They heard him say quietly, only to be heard by God, “Master, now you may dismiss Your servant in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Joseph and Mary looked at each other and then at Simeon and their Baby. They were amazed at what was being said about Him. Simeon looked up at the parents, still with wet eyes and blessed them. He said to Mary, “This Child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Mary, wide eyed listened in amazement. It was so unexpected. She didn’t know what to make of the prophesy. Ever since the Archangel first came to visit her, she knew that her life was committed to her God, to do with as He pleased. She couldn’t make plans, but only live and worship Him, and serve Him. To be the mother of His Son was the highest calling and she only hoped and prayed that she would be a good mother, and that Joseph would be a good father, teaching and training Him in the ways of the Lord, with fear and reverence, with obedience and compassion for others. Although this prophesy was a little frightening, however, she had to accept that there was always going to be the mysterious. Rather than wait for Joseph to pass Him to her, she boldly reached out to take her Baby from Joseph who gently rolled the Child into her welcoming arms.
“Thank you kind sir. May the Lord bless you as well. We must be going now.”
“Of course” replied Simeon. “Shalom.”
As they headed out the door of the temple, an old woman, approached them too. She was thin and gaunt with white hair peeking out from under her gray hood. Her face was filled with wrinkles but her eyes reflected kindness and longing. As anxious as they were to get going, they had to stop out of respect. Mary and Joseph were used to women on the streets approaching them to admire the baby.
“Oh my, what a beautiful baby Boy. He looks like the image of His mother! How alert!” said elderly Anna. As she was gazing at the Baby’s face she appeared startled. Anna looked more closely into the Baby’s eyes. He looked back at her cooing and gurgling. He smiled and drooled.
“Oh my! Praise the Lord God, praise His Holy Name. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! My eyes have seen the redemption of Israel! Oh my! Oh my Lord!”
Joseph and Mary smiled at Anna, “Thank you for your kind words.” They tried to be patient but had so much to do to get back to Nazareth that they gently excused themselves.
“Of course.” replied the old woman and released them, staring at the family as they departed the temple, she followed them to the door and bade them farewell, and watched as they walked out of sight, her heart welling up inside her for the secret it held of what she had seen.
When she reentered the temple, she ran into Simeon. “Oh my, my eyes beheld the Savior! He was an Infant, but I knew!”
“Yes! I saw Him too! Oh my Lord. What can this mean?”
“He was so beautiful! There was a gracefulness about that Child that I have never seen before in my life!”
Simeon bowed his head and said, “There is no one to talk about this but each other and our Lord. Praise God, we have each other as witnesses.”
“Yes, Simeon, our hearts are brimming with joy. Shalom.” The two pious people parted filled with the Holy Spirit and more content than they had ever known themselves to be.
Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph had a full day of packing, paying and good byes before boarding their transport back to Nazareth scheduled for the following day. Joseph was very glad to finally be heading home. His patience would soon pay off.
By the end of the day they were exhausted. Even the Baby cooperated and was sleepier than usual before sunset.
The family went to sleep early in anticipation of the big travel day before them. Within minutes Joseph was snoring loudly. Mary was able to ignore it and fell asleep herself with her mind spinning over the reactions of the two elderly people in the temple. She was glad then not to be living in Jerusalem. It was not the time for her Holy Child to be exposed. She was glad to be whisking Him away to Nazareth.
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That night Joseph had a dream that was as vivid as the one he had when he was told how his betrothed had become pregnant. It was not a dream, it was not a nightmare, it was a message, and instruction. An angel said to him, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.”
Joseph woke up in a sweat and great confusion. Could it be true?! There was no other evidence, but he knew it that he could not afford to doubt himself. He had to take Mary and the Infant away, far away from Herod’s grasp. They would have to set out on foot, at night - that night, immediately. Joseph wondered how Herod found out?
The truth was that when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he ordered the killing of all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. The soldiers were very reluctant to carry out this order and delayed as long as they could. Some feigned sickness, not to be forced to murder infants. However, nothing could stop the infanticide.
Cruel infanticide for the third time. First strong Jewish babies killed to suppress the Jews who were becoming too numerous in Egypt. But not Moses. Then the first born boys were killed at Passover 80 years later. Now, the Jewish boys in and around Bethlehem were to be killed but like Moses, and like the Jewish boys at Passover, Jesus escaped by going towards Egypt instead of away from it, retracing the footsteps of Joseph and his brothers who found refuge in Egypt.
Joseph nudged Mary who was cuddled up with the Baby and said, “Mary, I was just woken up with a dream, no not a dream, it was a clear message from the Lord, just like at the time when the angel told me that you had become pregnant by the Holy Spirit! It was irrefutable. The Lord said we must flee to Egypt. Herod plans to kill our Son!”
Mary was still sleepy and wasn’t sure if she was dreaming? The Baby was still sleeping. “What?! Now? Are you sure?” she exclaimed.
“Yes. This is so alarming that we can’t doubt it. We must protect Him. Thank God we are already packed. Come. We will leave on foot. No one must see us.”
Mary gently picked up her Son whose whimpers turned into full a blown cry. She quickly nursed Him to quiet Him while Joseph tied up their satchels by candlelight.
Mary wrapped her growing Baby tightly and put Him in the sling. Then the Holy Family crept out of the boarding house and walked briskly down the cold dark and empty streets of Jerusalem until they were on the very southern outskirts of town, where they could take a break. Mary and Joseph sighed with relief from not being seen, which Joseph considered to be a miracle in itself as usually girds patrolled the streets of Jerusalem all night.
They walked until the sun rose and warmed them up. Mary thought of Esther and how grateful she was to have the sling. Baby Jesus slept in the sling; when He awoke, He simply looked around sensing that this was no time to fuss. The road from Jerusalem to Rafah was populated only by traders. The family finally felt comfortable enough to take a break to sit on a bolder. Just then a caravan of Egyptian traders passed, and they were asked if they wanted a lift.
“Yes, thank you.” replied Joseph. Mary turned the baby over to Joseph and was helped up on the donkey. They held the donkey down while Mary fastened the baby to herself. And Joseph mounted a camel thinking how fortunate they were that there were available animals to ferry them to Egypt.
The rest of the way to Rafah was smooth and almost thrilling.
Bobbing up and down on the donkey, Mary thought about Patriarch Moses, as if they were being sent to pay their respects to him. The giver of the Ten Commandments and the law. The one who saved the sons of Abraham Isaac and Jacob from their oppressors. Those days were long gone, but resided in the souls of Israel.
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Upon arriving in Rafah and bidding their friends good bye, they inquired about a room. The village was small but hospitable. Joseph was most grateful for the gold from the Persian magi as he had no idea of how long they would have to reside in Egypt without work.
Several days into their stay, traders came to the village and reported the genocide that was occurring in Palestine. Herod had gone mad.
Mary gasped when she heard the news. She grabbed her Baby close to her and silently thanked the Lord for warning them and for, once again making Egypt their refuge. From her schooling Mary remembered the reading from the prophet Jeremiah, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” She remembered this because it stunned her upon hearing about such a tragedy. The class had discussed the relationship between that infanticide and the one when baby Moses was born. How the Lord foiled the plan of pharaoh, and how ironic that pharaoh‘s own home harbored the savior of the Jewish people.
And here they were again. Back in Egypt, with Joseph! Mary smiled at her husband. God has a wonderful sense of literature. Joseph was the savior once again! Nothing new under the sun. With that thought she hugged and rocked her little Baby and gave God a great big kiss on the cheek, the fulfillment of the desires of billions of people then and since then.
Postscript: Matthew wrote that after the magi left, that night Joseph had the dream that he needed to take the baby Jesus and flee in the night to Egypt. But Luke wrote that He was circumcised and presented in the temple in Jerusalem and then returned directly to Nazareth. I think it had to be both. He had to be circumcised and presented at the temple and meet Simeon and Anna. But he also fled to Egypt. But, did Herod wait 40 days before deciding to kill all the babies and toddlers up to two years old? I say yes, Herod didn’t know if or when the Persians found the infant king of the Jews. Or if they found him, how old he was. The date of birth was not exactly prophesied, only where it would be. Also, because of the census, Herod could not have known if the infant king came from some other town, and after his birth, returned there. So it is feasible that Herod waited. In this story Joseph had the dream in Jerusalem, the night of the presentation, and left immediately that night for Egypt. It was divine Providence that Joseph had the gold enough from the magi to live on in Egypt. The Lord provides!