Forgotten Ground Regained
Presentation (from Luke 2:22-38)
One mild morning, a mother approachedthe towering temple, her two dovescooing in the cage carried by her husband,eyes bent on the boy bundled in her arms.
Recently reeling, they had radically changedprevious plans, as new parents do, more than most though, mainly becauseof the wild whirl of wonderful eventsfirst unfolding in a flummoxing sign:Marriage and motherhood not even in mind, there camefulgent flashes of a feathery shapedrifting down one dawn to proclaima baby boy of hers would bring a great lightto the whole world of woeful mendwelling in darkness and in death’s shadow.
This dutiful day was different for the mother. Stone stairs were smooth underfoot.Turtledoves thrummed a tranquil hymnthat promised peace and pleasantly slow,ordinary afternoons, evenings of quietcalming the commotions caused by these marvels,
‘til a widow woman, hair whipping acrossher furrowed face and fiery eyes,bent over the boy and broke outinto a paean, panegyrics, then into peals of joy.
Stepping up, a stalwart, Spirit-filled elder swept up her swaddled son boldly,hoisting Him on high in loud thanksgivingfor being allowed to live to this long-awaited day.
Piously he placed Him in the patient handsof the amazed mother, moved to announce:A sword will strike your soul, too.Suddenly sorrow split the cool shadows;it froze in the father who, frightened, breathlesslywaited and watched with a worried brow.
Cuddling the child, she was so calm that the fearsof her startled spouse ceased in a flashas solemn steadfastness settled to broodlike a doting dove in their dazzled eyes.
Copyright © Dorothy Nielsen, 2025
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