Luke 2:22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

This passage makes it definitive that the magi didn’t show up at the stable with the shepherds, countless “manger sets” notwithstanding. Leviticus 12:3-4 specifies that what is recorded here happened at least 41 days after Jesus was born, because babies were circumcised on the 8^th day, and then there was a 33-day purification period. It’s interesting what errors creep into the Church when people fail to read the Bible, and instead prefer their own traditions. We know that this incident didn’t occur after the magi’s visit, because Joseph took his family and escaped into Egypt immediately, as Matthew 2:14 says clearly. It is also worth noting that this story makes it clear Joseph and Mary weren’t well-off, because Leviticus 12:8 specifies the offering they brought for those who “couldn’t afford a lamb.” Something I had never thought of before is that they couldn’t have brought a lamb because Jesus Himself was the Lamb of God, and the time for His sacrifice was not yet. There are always deeper levels of understanding if we keep reading the Bible! There is much to say here about Simeon, his faithfulness to God and God’s promise in response to that, but I think the overall point is that there are no unimportant details. The degree of importance can vary greatly, but God is in total control. Our place is to seek God’s will and commit ourselves to following it, knowing that will produce the absolutely best result.

I have experienced this countless times, discovering after the fact that some “minor” detail was actually vitally important. That’s why I know that the only logical course is to thank God for everything, since it all comes through His loving hands. That includes whatever it is I’ve got now. He got me through the Eve candlelight service, but yesterday morning I felt lousy and had a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4). This morning I feel better, but my temperature is still 37.3 (99.14) and my nose is running, which it wasn’t doing particularly before. I don’t know what God’s purpose is in allowing this, but I trust Him, so I thank Him for it. Now, I need to allow Him to show me what my schedule is to be, so that I will fulfill His purposes for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the unavoidable things on today’s schedule. I pray that I wouldn’t spread this bug around, and that I would experience Your full healing in Your timing, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!