Miryam's ankles ached as she trailed Yosef. Yeshua slept in her arms. Nearly days had passed of no sleep, but also the exhilarating joy she felt every time she looked at her baby boy.
"How much farther?" She complained. "Yosef, I am so tired."
"A mile or so," he assured her. "I know you are tired."
"It's worth it," she said. "I'm raising Adonai's son. I never expected being an eema would be like this."
"Do we have enough for a lamb?" Yosef asked. "For your purification?"
Miryam stared at the ground.
"I counted it this morning," she said. "There's no way we can buy a lamb."
"What about Micah and Daniel?" Yosef questioned. "They have lambs."
Miryam groaned and said, "That's their livelihood. I cannot ask them for a free lamb."
"So, what do we do?" Yosef pressed.
Miryam shrugged and answered, "We'll have enough money to buy two doves to sacrifice."
Families crowded the city streets. Yosef pressed a coin into the seller's hand.
"We need two doves, please," Yosef said.
A young boy emerged from a tent, carrying two doves upside down by their legs.
"Two doves!" He called out.
At the temple, Zechariah took the doves. Miryam and Yosef pushed their way through the crowd. Miryam clutched Yeshua close.
"Slikhah," Yosef said.
"Yosef!" A familiar voice greets him.
Yosef stood on his toes.
"Old Man Simeon?" He wondered aloud.
Simeon bowed.
"I see the Consolation of Israel!" Simeon exclaimed. "May I hold him?"
Miryam fidgeted and threw a glance at Yosef.
"He's a good friend," Yosef assured her. "We've done business together."
Miryam placed Yeshua in Simeon's arms.
"Now I can depart this world in peace," Simeon said. "I have seen the salvation from Adonai, which He has given to all people: a light of revelation to the world and glory to Israel."
Simeon made eye contact with Miryam, and he added, "Behold, He will cause many to rise and fall. He will be a sign to those who oppose him. The thoughts of many will be exposed. As for you, Miryam, it will be as though a sword will pierce your soul."
Yosef and Miryam exchanged glances.
"I don't know what to say, Simeon," she admitted. "I trust your prophecy is from Adonai."