The Terebinth tree

     The account of Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich of the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem, confirms the rough hills and cold weather that always occurred in the area they were to pass through in order to get to Bethlehem from Mary's mother's house, Saint Anne. Ann Catherine states that Mary needed warmth one time in particular from the cold and told Joseph this. They stopped and Joseph arranged blankets under the "Terebinth" tree . This same tree is the same one, when Abraham was journeying in to the land of Canaan, and had a vision of God who promised him this land for his descendants. He then built an altar under this Terebinth tree. It was the same tree that before Jacob went to Bethel to sacrifice to the Lord, he buried all of the strange gods of Laban and the jewels which his family carried with him. Under this tree Joshua built the Tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant and made the people there renounce their idols. It was here that Abimelech, the son of Gideon, was hailed as king of the Sichemites. How appropriate for the Mother of God to be led to this tree. This Sacred tree. Where so much had happened up until now. The greatest of happenings. Where the greatest event of the world was about to begin soon after their leaving this "Terebinth tree"  to travel to Bethlehem.

    The cold was intense. Mary, being in her ninth month, sat under this tree praying earnestly to God that He would not suffer Her to take harm from the cold. At once, She was filled with so great a warmth that She held Her hands to St Joseph to warm His. How beautiful a love story between God and the Holy Family. 

     How magnificent for our minds to behold such a picture of faithfulness and Love! Oh! how I love Saint Joseph! Obeying the instructions of an Angel, he was not immune to worry. He was responsible for the lives and care of his beloved wife and her child. He doesn't get enough credit. Although I don't believe he would have wanted any, because Mary and Jesus were the focus. Him completing the Holy Family was enough. God had also hand-picked him to take on this Holy mission and he knew that. 

     The journey of the Holy Family is quite amazing. It really happened. Step by step. Not in a few hours by car, but many hours on foot and a donkey. Battling rough terrain and bitter cold and then rejection by people for a place to stay. If only they would have known. They're cold hearts would have welcomed Joseph and Mary with open arms. 

     Keep the little hostel of your hearts open as "we" welcome the Holy Family to come in from the cold and remain in the warmth of our Souls. For a Savior is about to be born.