Mary – Ch. 1 - Engagement

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress 

Mary walked into her home and set down the jug of water she had brought from the well. No one else was in the house so she assumed her mother Anna had gone to the market. She knew her father Joachim would be busy with his work. Quietly she slipped back out and quickly strode up the street toward the top of the hill. 

Ever since her parents had sat her down and told her they thought they had found a husband for her she had been restless.  It wasn’t the unease of wanting to find out the unknown, although there was an element of that. Her parents had told her they thought they had found a good match in a young man her father sometimes got work for among the citizens of Sepphoris. He had skills as a builder and that was a trade much in demand in the city. 

Mary had seen the young man when he had come looking for her father to inquire about a job prospect or to get directions to a waiting employer. He was a good enough looking fellow and Mary’s parents had told her was also a very devout Jew. That was important to Mary as her parents had also instilled in her a great love of their religion and the history of her people.

Now they had gone and completed the engagement arrangements and Mary knew they would soon be living together. She could hardly wait.

But Joseph, the man who had so recently entered Mary’s dreams, lived in Nazareth. Mary had seen Nazareth before; after all, it was only a few miles to the southeast across the valley. However, she had never really paid it any attention. No one much did. It really wasn’t known for anything.

As Mary’s mind played over the thoughts she had been entertaining ever since their engagement, she reached the top of the hill and slowly walked down the eastern slope to the edge of the city where the hill dropped away into the valley. She stood and gazed across the valley. Actually, one really could not see the buildings of the village, but even knowing they were just over the brow of the hill was enough. Her heart quickened as she thought that beyond the forest across from her might someday be her home.

Even though people often spoke derisively about Nazareth, Mary harboured no ill will towards it. She was a young woman who had learned to accept her lot in life and be satisfied with whatever Jehovah laid out for her. If she was to marry Joseph and move to Nazareth, she knew it would be alright. In fact, she might even like it better.

Sepphoris sometimes seemed like too worldly a place for Mary. There was so much that went on there that was really contrary to her faith as she understood it from her parents. Indeed, if it was not for the good job her father had gotten here, her parents had said they would never have moved here. They had come from Jerusalem just before she was born. Her father had become well enough known in his business that his reputation had landed him a job in this growing city. But her parents often talked about how the citizens of Sepphori often seemed like they were becoming too much like the Greeks and those unwelcome Romans. Furthermore, there was also hushed talk that she sometimes caught snatches of that suggested there was a growing unrest amongst some of the Jews. Mary’s parents sometimes seemed worried that some of the hot-headed Galileans who talked like this were going to cause them all trouble.  However, every day they simply prayed to Jehovah for his protection and provision and trusted that he would look after them.

Mary sighed and turned back towards home. When she entered her mother asked, “Where have you been child?” 

“I went for a little walk,” Mary replied. Never being one to hide the truth, she added shyly, “I went to the top of the hill to look at Nazareth.”

“Ah, child,” her mother responded, “If our prayers are answered, that will be your home soon enough. And to tell the truth, I will be glad for you to be away from this city. It’s not really a place I want to see my grandchildren grow up in. Of course, your father and I will miss you, but you won’t be far away.” 

“Come, help me prepare dinner. Your father will be home soon.” 

The evening flew by as Mary helped her mother, then joined her parents for dinner. Mary sometimes felt she was more blessed than others of her age. Since she was the only child, she got to eat with her father and mother both. In larger families, the males got served first, then the women got to eat. But Mary enjoyed the opportunity to talk with both of her parents. It was one way she got to learn things, as, being a girl, she could not go to the synagogue school.

After the meal was done and everything cleaned up, Anna said, “Come Mary, let’s start to take a look at what we have that will go into your dowry.”

Mary felt her pulse quicken again. She pinched herself mentally. Was this really happening to her?

That evening, as she said her prayers before lying down for the night, Mary thought her heart would burst. She had so much to be thankful for. She just felt so blessed.