(Luke) Shining Light Tells the Good Story 2
2
HUMBLE BIRTH
1-2When the time drew close for Bitter Tears (Mary) to have her child, the government of the People of Iron (Romans) ordered that the people be numbered and put on government rolls. This happened during the time that Powerful Protector (Quirinius) was the governor of Bright Sun (Syria). 3All the Tribal Members were required to travel to their own ancestral village to register.
4-5He Gives Sons (Joseph) and Bitter Tears (Mary) set out on a long journey from Seed Planter Village (Nazareth) in Circle of Nations (Galilee), to House of Bread (Bethlehem) in the Land of Promise (Judea), the village of their ancestor, the great chief Much Loved One (David).
The journey took several long days and cold nights as they traveled over high hills and through the dry desert. When they arrived, tired and weary, they entered the crowded village.
6The time for Bitter Tears (Mary) to have her child was upon her! 7But no place could be found in the lodging house, so He Gives Sons (Joseph)found a sheep cave where it was warm and dry. There she gave birth to her son. They wrapped him in a soft, warm blanket and laid him on a baby board. Then they placed him on a bed of straw in a feeding trough.
8That night, in the fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. 9Suddenly a great light from above was shining all around them. A spirit-messenger from Creator appeared to them. They shook with fear and trembled 10as the messenger said to them, “Do not fear! I bring you the good story that will be told to all nations. 11Today in the village of Much Loved One (David) an Honored Chief has been born who will set his people free. He is the Chosen One!”
12The spirit-messenger continued, “This is how you will know him—you will find the child wrapped in a blanket and lying in a feeding trough.”
13Suddenly, next to the messenger, a great number of spirit-warriors from the spirit-world above appeared giving thanks to Creator, saying, 14“All honor to the One Above Us All, and let peace and good will follow all who walk upon the earth.”
15When the messengers returned to the spirit-world above, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go and see this great thing Creator has told to us.” 16So they hurried to the village of Chief Much Loved One (David) and found Bitter Tears (Mary), He Gives Sons (Joseph), and the child, who, just as they were told, was lying in a feeding trough!
17The shepherds began to tell everyone what they had seen and heard about this child, 18and all who heard their story were amazed.
19Bitter Tears (Mary) kept these things hidden in her heart and wondered what all this would mean. 20The shepherds returned to their fields, giving thanks to the Great Spirit for the wonders they had seen and heard.
KEEPING THE TRADITIONS
21Eight days after the birth of their son, in keeping with the traditional cutting of the flesh ceremony,#2:21 Circumcision they named him Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the name given them by the spirit-messenger before the child was born.
22-23Then, about one moon later, the time came for them to present their child to the Great Spirit in the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem). This was for their cleansing ceremony, an ancient tradition from the lawgiver Drawn from the Water (Moses), who said, “Every male child who is first to open the womb will be holy in the Great Spirit’s sight. 24Bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to be burned with fire as a sweet-smelling smoke offering.”
This shows they were poor, for this was the offering a poor family was permitted to bring according to tribal law.
25When they arrived at the sacred lodge in Village of Peace (Jerusalem), they were welcomed by Creator Hears (Simeon), a respected elder who did what was right in the Great Spirit’s sight, and waited patiently for him to fulfill his promises to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). 26The Holy Spirit rested on him and told him he would not die until he saw Creator’s Chosen One with his own eyes.
27As Creator Hears (Simeon) followed the guidance of the Spirit, he arrived at the sacred lodge just in time to see He Gives Sons (Joseph) and Bitter Tears (Mary) bringing their child for the traditional ceremony given in their tribal law. 28Creator Hears (Simeon) took the child into his arms and spoke words of blessing over him.
29-32“O Great Father,” he prayed, “I now see with my own eyes the one you have prepared for all Nations, the one who will heal our broken ways and set us free. He will make a clear path for all people to see and bring honor to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). Now, just as you have said, I can cross over in peace.”
33The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said. 34So Creator Hears (Simeon) spoke blessing words over them also.
He then turned to Bitter Tears (Mary) and spoke softly in her ear.
“This child has been chosen for the fall and rising of many in the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). He will be a sign that will be spoken against, 35exposing the thoughts of many.”
His voice softened as she looked sadly into his eyes.
He said to her, “Even your own spirit will be pierced through like a sharp arrow.”
36-37As they pondered his words, a holy woman named Woman of Goodwill (Anna) welcomed them. She was an elder from the tribe of Walks with a Glad Heart (Asher) and the daughter of Face of Creator (Phanuel). She had married at a young age and lived with her husband for seven winters, but had now been a widow for eighty-four winters. She served the Great Spirit at his sacred lodge night and day with fasting and many prayers. 38When she saw the child, she gave thanks to Creator and began telling about the child to all who were waiting for Creator to fulfill the promises he made to the Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem).
39After they performed all the ceremonies that Creator’s Law required, they returned to Circle of Nations (Galilee), to their home in Seed Planter Village (Nazareth). 40In this village the child grew strong in his spirit and was filled with wisdom, for the blessing of the Great Spirit was resting on him.
COMING OF AGE
41By traditional law it was a custom for all the families of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) to journey to Village of Peace (Jerusalem) to participate in the ancient Passover festival.
This festival celebrated the time when the lawgiver, Drawn from the Water (Moses), had set them free from captivity to the powerful nation of Black Land (Egypt). He did this by using the great power Creator gave him to perform many signs and wonders.
42When Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was twelve winters old, his family traveled together to celebrate this traditional feast.
43When the festival was over, his parents began their journey home. Without telling his parents, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) stayed behind in Village of Peace (Jerusalem). 44They thought he was with the other relatives and friends traveling with them. After a long day’s journey, they began to look for him but were unable to find him, 45so they returned to Village of Peace (Jerusalem) to look for him there.
46After searching for three days, they found him at Creator’s ceremonial lodge. He was sitting with the elders, listening to them and asking questions. 47All who heard his answers were amazed at his wisdom and understanding of the spiritual ways.
48His parents were surprised and at a loss for words, but then his mother scolded him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Your father and I were worried and our hearts were heavy as we looked everywhere for you!”
49“Why were you looking everywhere for me?” he asked. “I thought you would know to look for me here, in my Father’s lodge, doing what he sent me to do.”
50But they did not understand the meaning of what he was saying to them. 51He then returned to Seed Planter Village (Nazareth) with them and continued to be a respectful son following the guidance of his parents. But his mother hid these words in her heart.
52Creator Sets Free (Jesus), as a young man, grew in wisdom and strength, and had respect in the eyes of the people and the Great Spirit.
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