Mary and Joseph could not have gone to Jerusalem without pausing at the temple. They knew they would be back with their boy to meet the requirements of the Law. As they paused at the temple, they would marvel at its massive beauty. They would be impressed by the spiritual men and women who prayed and served there.
They would also have noticed the men who had made the temple a place of business and trade-activities that had nothing to do with the purpose for which Solomon had built the temple so many years ago. It would bother them. It would greatly bother their Son years later. So much so, He would later cleanse the temple as recorded in Matthew 21:12-13.
Mary and Joseph were standing on holy ground, and they knew it. This ground had been holy for Abraham as offered a ram as the sacrifice for his son. It was holy ground as sacrifices were offered for the people's sins. Ultimately, it would become the location on which their own Son would be offered for the sins of the whole world!
On our way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we will also gather on what for us is holy ground. It is the place where we gather to worship He who came into our world to lay down His life as the Lamb of God. We will gather in that special place soon to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus.
THE PRAYER: O Advent Lord, bless the holy place where we gather to worship You and will soon celebrate the incarnation!
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