“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
Miriamne read ‘The Anointed’ where the text said Christ.
“Miriamne, who could these men have been, Rabbins?”
“I think not, mother; I see upon the margin of my ‘megellah’ a note which says, These were light or fire-worshipers of Persia. They, or rather their ancestors had heard, centuries before, from the Jews, then their captives, that there was an expectation, based on wondrous prophecies, that some time, there was to be on earth a man, born of woman, in character like God and in mission the bringer in of the golden age. These Magi were seeking that person, like pious pilgrims.”
“Oh, the Messiah. Alas! we all long for His coming!” Then Rizpah fell into a revery from which Miriamne roused her with the question: “Art too weary to hear more?”
“No, no; read, on. These things strangely move and rest me.”
Miriamne continued:
“When eight days were fulfilled, they circumcised the Child, calling him Joshua, offering, according to the law, a pair of turtle doves.”
“Circumcised? Ah, I’m glad! They were good Jews, though poor ones, since they offered the gifts of the poor, two pigeons,” exclaimed Rizpah.
Miriamne read onward: