“And thou, Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, art too few in number to be reckoned with the thousands of Judah; yet out of thee shall come forth to Me, one who is to be a ruler in Israel, and His goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity

“he prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem

“Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

“But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

“The Holy Spirit will come down upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the one born of you will be called holy, the Son of God

“where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst

“the shining-forth of the glory of God the Father

“At Bethlehem, she receives God into our world. At the Dormition, God receives her into His world. At Bethlehem, the Mother carries the Son. At the Dormition, the Son carries His Mother.