Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 7

The two expectant mothers had just enjoyed a steaming cup of herbal tea. Elizabeth was teaching her young cousin the beautiful stitches of needle work which had been passed down through their family for many generations. Ever since Mary and her relatives had arrived at Hebron just two days ago, the women had spent hours sipping tea, sewing and talking about the births of their sons.

Their tranquility was interrupted by the sounds of a horse riding up outside. The rider was pushing the animal fast. They got up to look outside. It was Mary's uncle, her father's brother who lived near Nazareth. What could this mean?

The man briefly greeted them, then gazed at Mary with a strange look in his eyes. "I bring you a message, niece!"

"What is it? Is everything all right?" Mary began to feel anxious.

"I hope you will consider it all right." He reached inside his cloak and brought out a scrap of the light-colored wood upon which they often wrote. He then read it to her...

"Dearest Mary. An angel came to me in a dream and told me everything. Please come home right away, for your parents and I are planning our wedding. I Love you! Joseph"

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 6

She awoke to the sensation of her son stirring inside her womb. He had woken her often during the last week, but had been quiet for the past few hours since the winter sun rose. How long had she slept? A glance outside told her that it was almost mid-day.

"Where is Zechariah?" she thought. "He promised me that he would spend the long night at the inn and not try to make it all the way home. Still, he should have been here at least an hour ago. O Eternal, please keep him safe!"

She stretched, then put the pot on the stove to make some tea. The baby stirred again. She went outside past the shade of their porch and soaked in the warm sunlight. Looking up the road she saw the dust of several animals. "Perhaps your father is among them, my son," she whispered to her belly. "He will rejoice to be back here with us. I wish you could hear him sing and chant the Psalms! Surely, after you are born, the Eternal will fulfill His promise and give him his voice back."

The dust was nearer now and she could make out several donkeys and a small wagon. Out in front was her husband. What was this? She went back inside to place more water in the pot for tea; even if these travelers were going on, she would offer them something warm to drink and some food for their journey.

A few minutes later, she heard the sounds of their small caravan in the front of the house. Men were talking and, obviously, Zechariah was writing on his slate. As she opened the front door, she was startled as a very young woman -- hardly more than a girl -- was about to knock. She looked at her carefully.

"Mary? Of Nazareth? The daughter of my cousin?"

"Y-yes, Elizabeth, I am Mary."

Elizabeth didn't know why, but her son felt like he had started a festival dance inside her. It was as if he was leaping and dancing in her womb! "Mary, please come in. Oh...!" She grabbed her tummy.

"Elizabeth! All you all right? Do you need to sit?"

"No, I'm fine. It's just that my son obviously is happy at your arrival!"

"Elizabeth, we heard your good news. It's all over our village about how the angel met with Zechariah in the Holy Place! And, Elizabeth..." Mary lowered her head, as if to compose herself. When she raised it a moment later, her eyes were shining and brimming with tears. "Elizabeth, I was also visited by a messenger of The Eternal!"

Mary spent several moments relating to her cousin how the angel had met her and the mysterious things he told her. "He concluded by pointing me to you, Elizabeth!"

By now, Elizabeth was smiling, but tears were streaking down her cheeks. "Oh, Mary. As you started speaking, my heart was being stirred by the Spirit of the Eternal, blessed be His name! And He has shown me that you are blessed, Mary. And your baby, He is indeed the Promised One from the Eternal and is MOST blessed. No wonder my baby leaped and danced when he heard your voice, for the Eternal has chosen him to prepare the way for your son! How can this be that the Eternal, the Lord Most High, has chosen to bring such blessing to us?"

By now, the tears were dripping from Mary's cheeks and onto the floor. "Then, it is real! What I have seen is real! The stirring in my heart is real! My soul exalts the Eternal! And my spirit rejoices in His Holy Name!"

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 5

(continued from yesterday)

Now, here he was, tormented again with her message. Back and forth his thoughts flickered, like the firelight now dancing on the ceiling.

"I can trust her," he thought. "If she said an angel visited her, it must be true!"

"No!" he argued with himself. "Of all the crazy stories. How many men have heard from their betrothed things like, 'I was assaulted by a stranger' or 'I have been faithful to you and the Eternal -- I don't know HOW I got pregnant!' In the end, it was always the same story. The bride had some other man whom she fancied and she had strayed."

"Not Mary," his other thoughts rang out. "She is innocent and kind and truthful and loyal and faithful. She loves only me!"

"What will they say at the synagogue?" came the reply. "Joseph, what has happened here? We thought you were a righteous man! You will likely be cast out for your lies and impurities!"

"No!" he decided with finality. "I won't be cast out! I have not sinned! I will issue her a certificate of divorce!"

Then, thinking of his love for her, he thought tenderly, "I will send word and have her stay in Hebron. After the child comes, surely someone will marry her and protect the child. She will never have to return to Nazareth and we will not tell what has happened to anyone outside the family."

"O Eternal," he prayed in his exhaustion, "what do I do?"

"Joseph, son of David!"

Startled, Joseph looked and saw the faint outline of a man in the dark corner. He groped for his carving knife.

"Don't be afraid, Joseph." The voice was kind, even friendly. As the man stepped closer, the whole room became brighter. "Mary is with child by the Holy Spirit, and she will bear a Son. Take her as your wife without fear and, when the Child is born, name Him Jesus. He shall save His people from their sins. And Joseph, as one who has studied the Scriptures, remember the words of the prophet Isaiah which foretold a Son born to a virgin. Mary IS that virgin! Your prophet said that the child will be known as Immanuel -- God is with us."

The fire crackled and Joseph jerked his head up. Had he been asleep? He was in the room alone. Had it all been a dream? But it was so real!

He suddenly KNEW. Something was stirring inside him!

.........
What was that noise? Someone was pounding on the door in the pre-dawn stillness! Mary's father climbed out of the warm covers and opened the door. Joseph was standing there. Even in the light of only one candle, his eyes held a strange brightness.

"How soon can we get word to Mary in Hebron?" he asked excitedly.

"Wha...?"

"We must get word to her right away and ask her to return. As soon as possible!"

"What? Why?" Mary's father stood there in shocked surprise at his normally calm, future son-in-law.

"An angel has visited me tonight in a dream! He explained everything. And we must plan a wedding as soon as Mary gets home!

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 4

He huddled in a blanket as he sat on his sleeping mat. Slumber had failed him. Again. Little embers glowed in the firepot; the flame was gone. Joseph reached another small piece of fig wood and stirred the embers, then placed the stick on them. As the light began to glow, he stared up at the ceiling.

"Mary's father and I completed this roof just last week," he mumbled quietly to himself. "Now I don't know if she and I will ever share this home. Or anything else."

Once again, he relived the sudden change that day -- the day they finished the roof. Mary's mother came at the end of the afternoon and spoke privately with her husband. After she left, his future father-in-law looked at Joseph gravely.

"My son," he spoke often in such endearing terms to this young man whom he loved as his own, "I have been told something I don't understand."

"What is it?" asked Joseph. "Is it Mary? Is she all right? Should I go to her?

"No, it's not that," her father added mysteriously. "Something was discussed between mother and daughter today that I do not quite understand. I will inquire tonight and tell you more when I arrive tomorrow. But there is one thing, Joseph."

"Yes?" Joseph leaned in anxiously.

"My wife's relatives are going down to Hebron in Judea in a few days. Mary is going with them."

"Hebron? Why? How long has this been planned? Why was I not told before?"

Mary's father had little more to say. When they spoke the next morning, it was even more mysterious. He didn't want to say anymore, even though it was obvious he knew something. What?

The couple, though betrothed, had been busy with many preparations. They limited their time together because they also wanted to live righteously and wait until marriage to complete their union. Their only chance to speak had been in the pre-dawn hours as she was helping pack the small wagon that would accompany the family caravan to the South.

"Joseph, my heart belongs to you," she had said, "but I must go on this journey to see Elizabeth. I have told you so little because I have not known how to say it. Joseph, a messenger of the Eternal has visited me."

He stared at her, not comprehending.

"Joseph, I am with child. It is God's Child!"

The shock broke over him like a cold wave at the Sea of Galilee. "Wha...?

Suddenly they were interrupted. Her uncle said, "We must go!"

She climbed up and spoke through her tears: "Goodbye, my love."

They rode into the darkness.

Now, here he was, tormented again with her message...

(to be continued)

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 3

Even the large firepot failed to heat the small open room in the front of the house. Mary was happy for the quiet this morning and was patiently waiting to use this time and speak with her mother. Where would she begin?

Papa put on his heaviest cloak as he departed to help Joseph with the roof on the house he was building. Isaac and young Yacov were at Torah school. Mary's little sister Naomi was playing with her friend in the village.

Mary sat by the fire and held her hands near it to warm them. She heard her mother from the other room. "Mary, do you want some tea?"

"Please, Mama. It is extra cold today, true?"

"Of course true," agreed her mother. "Here, sip on this."

Mary took the herbal brew from her mother and glanced up as mama sat down.

"What is it daughter? Since my return from the market yesterday, you have been lost in thought with this strange look about you."

"Oh, Mama. It will sound too unbelievable! I don't know how to say it."

"Don't worry, child. I am your mother. Let it tumble out; we can talk it through together."

Mary looked up and began to cry. "Oh, Mama. Something has happened that is so wonderful and yet so strange that I wonder if I imagined it." Little by little, she told her mother of the angel's visit. She described the promise and spoke of the strange stirring deep within her.

When she got to the part about being with child, though she was a virgin, her mother's eyes grew moist and she turned her head away. Finally, she said, "Mary, since I was a young girl, my Papa the Rabbi spoke of the strange promise in the book of Isaiah the prophet. He said, 'Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.' That son will grow up to be our Messiah, Mary! Could the Eternal have chosen you to be His mother!"

Mary sat quietly for a long time, taking it in. Finally, she asked, "If that is the meaning of the angel's words, what am I supposed to do, Mama?"

"We have heard talk in the family about Elizabeth's pregnancy, even though she is old. Mary, you must see her. Your uncle and cousin are leaving for Hebron next week. You must go with them. I will talk to Papa and he will speak to Joseph."

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 2

Morning sunbeams danced in the southern window of their little family house as Mary sat near the fire. She enjoyed these hours of daylight when the air outside was cold and the walls protected her from the winds that blew almost ceaselessly along the hilltops.

Mother had gone to the street market in the village to get some olives, some oil and a few figs. Maybe she would bring home raisin cakes for the family to share tonight. Papa was helping a neighbor whose ox was ill. Isaac had taken the three younger children to the vista where they could glimpse the Sea of Galilee off in the distance. Mary was left to her sunbeams, her fire and her thoughts of the house which Joseph was working on for them. She wished the days would move faster!

As she thought of her wedding and her future life, she noticed the growing light in the room. Had the door blown open? She couldn't have that! She turned and the door was closed. "Hmmmm," she wondered. "Perhaps it was just my imagination." She turned back to the fire.

A man was standing there! She was about to cry out, when she saw him smile.

"Greetings, woman favored by the Eternal!"

What was this? The man is suddenly just standing there! What does he mean, "Woman favored by the Eternal?"

"The Eternal is with you! Don't be afraid, Mary. I am here because the Lord has sent me to you."

"H-h-how do you know my name?" she asked.

"Mary, you have found favor with the Eternal. I am Gabriel and I have been sent to you with a special message."

"Message? What type of message would the Eternal have for someone like me?"

Gabriel smiled again. "Mary, the Eternal has long been planning for this special time. You are going to conceive and bear a Son. You are to name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be known as Son of the Most High. He will be given the throne of His ancestor -- your ancestor -- David. The kingdom He establishes will be forever!"

Mary felt something stirring in her heart. It wasn't fear; it was awe. But why her?

"How can this happen? I am betrothed, but I am a virgin!"

"The Spirit of the Eternal will come upon you and the mighty power of the Lord shall watch over you. Mary..." his voice was quite tender now. She could sense that Gabriel was also in awe of all this. "...you will give birth to the Son of the Most High!"

Years later, Mary could immediately feel what she felt at the moment: fear, awe, joy, hope, and promise all mingled together. But she could never really describe it to anyone else.

"The Eternal is already carrying out His plan, Mary. Your relative Elizabeth, wife of Zechariah the priest, is pregnant in her old age. She is already in her sixth month. Mary, never forget: NOTHING shall be impossible with God! Every time He speaks, it contains the power to bring it to reality!"

"So be it!" Mary declared with a confidence she didn't know was there. "I am the Eternal's servant and I want Him to use me as He pleases."

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.

Christmas At Innermost: Mary

Part 1

Her heart pounded as she willed her legs to go faster up the long hill. Her strides were full and her breathing was rapid, but she could hear him closing in behind her. Cresting the hill, she turn right and ran along the narrow trail into the shadow of the outcropping of large rocks just above her. "Just a few steps more," she thought as she gasped for breath.

She suddenly realized that she no longer heard his footsteps nor his hard breathing that had been so close behind her. He must have slipped and fallen. With renewed hope, she rounded the hill and saw her family's small home just a hundred yards away. She stretched out her stride and ran for safety.

Suddenly, she heard him again. He had taken the short cut, the treacherous path over the top of the hill. He was running down hill with legs several inches longer than hers. She cried out!

"Got you!" he yelled as he grabbed her by the shoulder. They both stopped, too winded to go on.

Hands on their knees, trying to fill their lungs with oxygen, they heard their father laughing a short distance away. "It's good that you will soon be Joseph's wife, Mary! Your brother Isaac is a full two years younger and this is the first time he has caught you. Perhaps you should relinquish your running championship to him!"

"Oh, Papa," she yelled back between breaths, "he never would have caught me if he hadn't cheated with the shortcut!"

"Just remember," her father said, "that's the same shortcut you took the first time you caught your cousin!"

As they entered their old house, Mary went to the small room that had been "home" her whole life. She looked on the shelf her father had built and noticed again the exquisite shawl which Joseph had given her for a betrothal gift. She pick it up, placed its softness against her cheek and thought of how her life was changing.

Her family and the family of Joseph the carpenter had made arrangements for their marriage when the children were too young to decide for themselves. There had always been some mystery in her mind about the arrangement because it happened when she was two years old, but Joseph was already eleven. Somehow their fathers had believed that this arrangement was the will of the Eternal, blessed be His Name.

The tradition said that the couple, when they reached the right age, could go through a time of engagement in which they got more acquainted with each other. During that time, the children could decide to call off the planned marriage.

If the children decided to accept their parents' choice, they entered a year of betrothal, in which they were married in every sense except one. During that year, they did not come together as husband and wife. Joseph was now legally and financially responsible for Mary and they saw each other almost every day. They both were anxious for the year to end so they could belong to each other completely.

"Our day will be soon, Joseph," she whispered quietly to herself. "Then we can be together for the rest of our lives. Oh, how I long to be with you!"

She smiled just thinking about it.

To my readers: the events surrounding the birth of Christ are given extensive coverage in Scripture. The parts we don't always know about are the human elements, especially from the viewpoint of Jesus' participants. My attempt this Christmas is to stay true to the Biblical text, while shading in what it may have been like "between the lines." Please distinguish my ruminations from God's Word by reading the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. My hope is that reading my words impacts you even a tiny percentage as much as writing them has impacted me.