Mary Mother of God page 2

 Mary Mother of God page 2 by ric gustafson

Now we will look at someone who ruled Judea from 37 BC. His name was King Herod the Great. He was not a pure Jew and was not of royal blood. He came from a family of royal advisers. He professed Judaism but was regarded as an alien by most Israelites. He owed his rule to Rome

In 20 BC, Herod decided to enlarge the temple in Jerusalem. The city had from 100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants. But 3 times a year, that number increased to up to a million. The city and the temple were too small to accomodate so many pilgrims. Herod wanted to build the most magnificent building of that time. 

The temple was built on flat ground that covered over thirty acres. 

Saint Joachim was a wealthy man who owned and traded cattle and sheep. He and his wife Anne were childless. Joachim remembered Abraham. He went out into the desert, pitched a tent and fasted for 40 days and nights. He prayed for offspring. At the same time, his wife Anne also prayed for a child. An angel came and told Anne that she would have a child. Anne made a vow to offer her child to serve the Lord. Joachim was also told the same news by an angel in the desert.

Seven months later, a girl was born. She was named Miriam. This name in Hebrew is Mary.

research help: ' Mary Mother of God' by Ignatius Press

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric