20140225 Tuesday

Ein Gev, Holiday Resort, Israel

0700

A good sleep last night. Mostly cloudy this morning with good sun breaks but since I do not know the weather patterns here I'll reserve my forecast. Some clouds are high and dark enough that I would not be surprised at a shower in places. It does seem a bit cooler while I'm sitting out on the deck but it is only 0700.

Back to Sunday:

Following our trip to the mountain-temple we took the too fast taxis down the hill and boarded our bus again. We went back to Nazereth . The city today was not as near crowded. It was still obviously full but not packed as it was on Saturday.

Our stops today were city-center to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Joseph's church just next door. Both of them built on the traditional locations where Gabriel visited, calmed, instructed and blessed Mary and then Joseph. I am just now struck how instructive it would be to study how these angels issued callings to their members: usually starting with "Fear not." Perhaps there are further lessons here.

The thought came to me while visiting the town, and recognizing just how small the area is, that Joseph must have known Mary and her family very well. Traditionally the Groom is somewhat older than the Bride so Joseph may have know her and watched her grow and become prepared to be his Bride. With that familiarity, and understanding of her goodness, that it may have been much easier to trust her and accept her and prepare himself for Gabriel's visit.