Relations

"He knew her not till she had brought forth a son," Matthew 1:25.

Though instructed to marry her, Joseph and Mary didn't have usual marital relations until after Jesus was born. Actually, not until after Mary went through the Law's purifying rituals 40 days after the birth. (Remember, that's when they brought the baby to the temple, when the old people, Simeon, and then, Anna, blessed him.) The young couple went on to have other sons and daughters. Scripture doesn't name the daughters; their sons: Jesus (obviously), James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. Likely, all joined the family carpentering business. None became apostles. But following Jesus' resurrection, James and Judas became disciples, authors of eponymous New Testament letters. God weaves his wonders into the fabric of everyday life.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we recognize God at work in our life together. Sky kingdom. And by this we remember our common hope. And, together, we give thanks.