Susan LaffertyJesus.
The radiance of God’s glory. The exact expression of His nature. He sustains all things by His powerful word. (Hebrews 1:1-3)
Radiance, cloaked. Hidden. In the womb of a young woman named Mary.
And there, the One who knits us together is knit together. Formed. Protected. Nourished.
And the time comes. Always anticipated, yet surprising. Sudden. Arriving with birth pangs. Labor.
And unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given.
They are traveling. Jesus and the disciples. They enter a village, then a house. Martha’s house.
Right before this, Jesus sends the disciples out into the harvest. Two by two. With several instructions. Including the following directive for entering a village.
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you” (Luke 10:5-6). The person of peace is their welcome. Their home base. For each particular village.
Now they enter a new village. Then Martha’s house. Perhaps they say “Peace to this household.”
“And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home” (Luke 10:38). A person of peace.
The candle flickers.
Just enough light to see the words.
While they were there in Bethlehem to register, “the time came for her to give birth” (Luke 2:6).
The time came.
On a short-term trip. In the midst of a temporary stay. Far from family and the familiar.