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The Essenes maintained a purity of teaching that they hoped would fulfill
the promises that had been given from the beginnings of human history—that
a Messiah would come for the salvation and resurrection of the human race.
Hence there was a continued preparation and dedication of those among
the Essene community who might be the channels through which this chosen vessel
might enter—through choice—into materiality.
Thus in Mt. Carmel, where there were the priests of His faith, the maidens were chosen
who were dedicated to this purpose, this office, this service. Among them was Mary,
the beloved, the chosen one; and she, as had been foretold, was chosen as the channel.
Thus she was separated and kept in closer associations with and in the care of this office.
That was the beginning. That was the foundation of what you term the Church.
For this purpose, Mary’s mother, Anna, brought her to the temple when she was
four years old to dedicate her to the studies and purposes of the Essenes. Though some
doubted Anna’s claim that Mary had been conceived without Anna’s knowing a man,
Mary had been perfect in body and in mind for service there, and she was accepted.
The students at Mt. Carmel were trained as to physical exercise, first; trained as to
mental exercises as related to chastity, purity, love, patience, endurance. All of these
would in the present be termed as perse-
cutions, but they were actually tests for
physical and mental strength, given under
the supervision of those who also cared for
their nourishment.
In the diet, they drank no wine, no fer-
mented drink ever given. Special foods, yes.
These were the manners and the way they
were trained, directed, protected.
Mary had been studying at the school
for eight years, when something wonder-
ful happened.
“As if in purple and Gold”
The sun shone upon the steps that led to
the altar—called the temple steps—when
during the first period of the morning the
maidens were going to the altar for prayer,
as well as to burn incense.
On this day, as they mounted the steps,
all were bathed in the morning sun—
which not only made a beautiful picture
but clothed them all as if in purple and
gold.
The elders and teachers watched the
girls that morning. Mathias and Enos were
there, as was Judy, the recorder and teacher
who would one day teach Jesus.
Soon the girls appeared and began to
climb the steps to the altar. Mary led the
procession. Now nearing her 13th birth-
day, she was becoming a lovely young
woman with chestnut hair and blue eyes
that danced with merriment. Behind her
came her friend Josie, who had become
like a sister to Mary; and
next Jenife, a year young-
er than Mary. Jenife’s
gray eyes were watch-
ing Mary’s bright hair
as though following a
beacon that day.
Then there were the
others—Andra, Sophia,
and the other Mary,
many of whom remained
friends with Mary and
Jesus all their lives.
Farther back in the
line, Edithia walked with
her dark head bent, deep in thought and
prayer. Edithia and Jenife were sisters,
daughters of an innkeeper who kept an
inn near Bethlehem.
As Mary reached the top step there was
thunder and lightning. She stood still, her
eyes looking up in radiant wonder and
awe. A great halo of light formed around
her, and within the light, the angel Gabriel
appeared, taking the child by the hand be-
fore the altar. Wide-eyed, Judy stood still.
Mathias drew in his breath sharply, and
Enos stifled a cry. This was the manner of
choice; this was the showing of the way,
for Mary had led the others on this day!
After a moment, the vision ended, and
Judy directed the girls to take their usual
places. Josie and Jenife
were stunned by what
had happened to Mary.
It would be three more
years before Mary would
conceive the Christ-Child,
and longer still before she would
join Joseph. But as that time ap-
proached, the famed Wise Men had already begun their journey, and Mary’s teacher,
Judy, had begun to play a role in what would now unfold in the land.
Mary at Sixteen
Once their schooling was complete, about three years after the appearance of the
angel Gabriel on the stair, all of the students at Mt. Carmel returned to their homes.
At 16, Mary had become a beautiful young woman. She was serene and happy by
nature.
One day, when she was alone in her favorite meditation place, the angel Gabriel again
suddenly appeared beside her.
“Hail!” he greeted her. “You who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed
are you among women!”
Mary was troubled at his saying, but the angel said, “Fear not, Mary, for you have
found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth
a son.”
Startled, Mary could only ask, “How can these things be?”
Gabriel answered, “You will be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and conceive a
child,” he explained. “His name shall be Jesus, and He will be known as the Son of God.”
He also told her that her cousin, Elizabeth, whom many considered too old to have
children, was now expecting a son.
Awed by the experience, Mary whispered, “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Be
it unto me according to your word.”
Within a few weeks, Mary discovered that she was with child.
—Reprinted by permission from
The Christmas Story as Told by Edgar Cayce (a.R.E. Press, 1996, out of print, compiled
and edited by Jon Robertson).
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https://www.edgarcayce.org/about-us/blog/blog-posts/preparation-for-jesus-part-1/
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