The Story of Mary: Catholic Version: II Another Special Birth - Ch. 6 – Getting Away from Galilee

 (Based on Luke chapter 1 and James’ Gospel section 12)

Mary did sleep that night, surprisingly, and most restfully. Before she knew it, she was waking up and the sun was streaming in through the small window high on the wall of her room. ‘Oh,’ She thought, ‘It’s getting late.’ She started to stretch and then remembered all that had happened the day before. As the memories flooded her mind, she suddenly recalled that the angel had said her aunt Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah the chief priest she had met several times,  was also pregnant. 

That gave her an idea. She should go and visit Elizabeth. It would be only proper for her, a young relative, to help Elizabeth out in her pregnancy, especially considering her advanced age. It would also give her a chance to visit her parents in Jerusalem. Mary resolved to do this. It would also give her a chance to get away from these gossipy Galileans.

But she needed to get Joseph’s approval. And he was away. However, she was not to be deterred. She found out where Joseph was and sent him word. She said she needed to go and help her aunt and would he approve? Mary was relieved when a positive response was received. After all, Joseph reasoned, we managed without her all these years; we can still do so. It will be good for her to get away for awhile too. He knew his children and the neighbours were not always the kindest to Mary. 

Joseph also sent word for his eldest, James, to accompany Mary to Judea.  James was already in his mid-teens and becoming quite mature, so Mary could accept that. She knew that Joseph was concerned for her safety too. One could certainly not travel alone as a young woman like herself. They made the necessary preparations for the trip and also for the family in their absence.  Then the two of them set out.

Mary could not help but feel her spirits lift as they traveled south.  They had brought some bread, dried figs and raisins to satisfy their hunger on the first leg of their journey. It was a beautiful day and Mary enjoyed seeing the green hills, the flowers and the singing birds as they began their trek to the southeast. Following the customs of their people, they did not take the most direct route from Nazareth to Judea. The Jews of the time considered the peoples living south of Galilee, the Samaritans, unclean, as they were not pure Jews and did not believe, worship or live according to The Law in the same way the Jews did. So, they added a couple of days to their journey to Jerusalem rather than risk difficulties going through Samaria, as the citizens of that area were not always friendly to them either, knowing how they were viewed.  Thus, it was getting late in the day as they arrived at their first night stop, Beth Shan, the ancient city – town really – the Greeks and Romans called Scythopolis. This was a major crossroads between the east-west route from the eastern cities of the Decapolis to Palestine and the Mediterranean. There were many travellers stopping for the night but their sight was not that unfamiliar. Nazareth was itself not that far from this route so many of these traders and pilgrims would pass that way too.

After stopping to rest and have a little evening meal, they found a sheltered place to sleep for the night. They wrapped themselves in their cloaks against the cool night air. In the morning, after eating a bit more of their carried food, they turned south to the Jordan Valley.  They walked past fields of corn and grain, groves of olive trees and figs. To the left lay the blue hills of the Transjordan. On their right were the dry and grassy hills of their own land. 

Three days later, getting dusty and tired by this time, they reached Jericho. Here James found them a citizen willing to let them share the family’s upper room for the night. He took care of the transactions required to make it possible. They rested easier that night, knowing their destination was near. 

Next morning, having eaten the last of their provisions and having refilled their canteens with water, they set out on the last leg of their journey together. James accompanied Mary to Jerusalem where she would stay with her family. 

The 20 miles or so from Jericho to Jerusalem were noted for the rough terrain in between. To begin with it was bleak, hilly and dry. It was also a steep climb from the Jordan Valley to the mountains on which Jerusalem was built. The winding road past rocky ledges and caves was also notorious as a hiding place for thieves who sometimes attacked travellers violently. For that reason, James had made arrangement for the three of them to travel with others going up to Jerusalem. If this had been a feast time the road would have been filled with pilgrims making their joyous way westward together but that was not the case now. Still, there was always the belief that there was some increased measure of safety in numbers. 

Before the day had ended they did arrive safely at Mary’s relative’s home in Jerusalem. They were welcomed enthusiastically and refreshed after their long and wearying journey. In the morning, Mary’s father, Joachim, convinced James that they would see her safely the rest of the way and so he was free to return home. Mary thanked him for accompanying her. Her uncle and aunt gave him provisions for the return journey and blessed him as he left. After a couple of days or rest, visiting her parents, they accompanied her to the village of Ein Kerem where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived. 

Mary and her parents knocked on their relatives’ door. When Elizabeth heard them, the baby leaped in her womb. She ran to the door  and filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? The instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1:41-5).”

Mary was taken aback by his unusual greeting. Her parents knew nothing. She had tried to suppress the events that had begun at the well and ended in her home, but now it was out in the open. In a last ditch effort to appear surprised by this, she gazed up towards heaven, and said: “Who am I, O Lord, that all the generations of the earth should bless me? But before she had time to say anything more, she suddenly felt as though her tongue was not under her control and she heard herself uttering something entirely different and at the same time most beautiful words:

“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

“He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.

“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever (Luke 1:46-55).” 

Just as suddenly, the oration was over. Mary was amazed. Where had that come from?

As if reading her mind, Elizabeth said, “Child, that was nothing less than the Spirit of Jehovah speaking through you! You are indeed most blessed to have The Highest One come upon you like this. How can we ever thank our Lord for these favours to us, among the least of his people?”

Mary had no answer to that. Understanding the full meaning of what was happening to them all was still far away. Needless to say, her parents wondered what this was all about. Mary was still determined to try to keep this all under wraps so, in response to her parents’ questions, she simply tried to say that this was just one more of those mysteries from the divine that had begun before her own birth and which she could not explain. Then she tried to change the subject and wanted to know all about Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s experiences. 

To her surprise, she learned that an angel had also come and told them that, yes, Elizabeth was going to become pregnant. The angel had told Zechariah this when he was serving in the temple (Luke 1:5-25). Understandably, Zechariah had doubted this, with their being so advanced in years. As a result, God had struck him speechless until such a time as their son – it was going to be a boy, whom they were to name John – would be born. Now Mary knew why her uncle had been so silent on their arrival, leaving all the talking to Elizabeth.  The angel had also told Zechariah that this boy would be great in the sight of the Lord. He was never to drink wine or strong drink, and he was going to be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. The angel had said he would “turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He would go as a forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him (Luke 1:16-7).” 

This was too much like Mary’s own memories, the ones she had tried so hard to hide. She began to think that maybe her aunt could help her begin to make sense of what had happened to her if she told her the whole story. Right now, she was just happy to be with family and after some visiting, Mary’s parents left to return to their home in the city.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. But during those three months, they shared a lot of talks. Mary was blessed by the wisdom of her aunt. She was happy in return to help her aunt with housework. It was troubling though to see her dear uncle struggle with his being mute. However, she also loved him dearly and they managed to get along alright. It was also during these months that she too felt her own abdomen begin to swell. She could no longer deny the truth of what she had been told. She was pregnant too! This was really confirmed when she felt the babe move in her womb. This experience only deepened her wonder. Something great and also greatly beyond her was happening in and with her own body. But it also brought with it an element of fear and apprehension. Everyone who knew her, knew her as a special virgin. What would happen to her now? What would Joseph think, and his children, his family, and the other villagers back in Nazareth. She knew she had to return home but she began to dread it. However, Elizabeth knew the whole story and she, with the maturity and wisdom of her years, began to help Mary make more sense of it all. She also helped fortify her for her return to Nazareth and the inevitable need to be prepared to those who would question, confront and challenge her. 

Mary’s story – Ch. 14 On the Road Again

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

When Joseph stepped out to go to work one morning some months later, he saw some Roman soldiers posting a notice at the market. He wondered what it was about but did not want to approach the site while the soldiers were there. Instead, he turned and continued on to Sepphoris. When he got there, he stopped in at Joachim’s home to see if he was still there. He wanted to ask him if he knew what was going on. 

Joachim was still home and after exchanging greetings Joseph asked about the activity he had seen.

“Oh, that,” said Joachim, “Yes, seems the Roman Governor Quirinius from Damascus wants a census. They made a big to-do about it with an official proclamation at the market yesterday. We men all had to go and listen. No doubt checking to see whether they are getting the taxes they want. Taxes, taxes, taxes, that’s all they want. But what do we get? H-m-m-ph!” he snorted, “Usually nothing.” 

“Will this have much effect on us?” Joseph asked. 

“Well, yes, come to think of it. Our families still have rights to some land around Bethlehem. Rights that go back to King David’s time. Most of his descendants, like so many of our people, have been wiped out over the years. So, with the small lineage we have left, we are still privileged to have land claims there. Although it’s not much of a privilege when you consider we will have to go there at the census time to verify our claims there. We’ll have to make some plans to look after that when the time comes. Meanwhile, son,” Joachim said laying his hand on Joseph’s shoulder, “We’ve got a day’s work ahead of us.”

When he got home from Sepphoris that evening, Joseph asked his father about this business of land in Judea and having to go there at the census time. After thinking about it for some time, Jacob said, “Joseph, you are younger than I am. You know I can’t walk well for great distances. Why don’t you go on our family’s behalf. And take Mary with you to represent her family. She’s a woman but our Law has precedent that women can attest to their rights too. Especially if we give you proper documentation to take with you about that. You will be alright. You know the way. And it’s about time you pay a visit to that new relative in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s family and bring them a token of our well wishes.”

Mary, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, brightened up at that prospect. “Oh, father, do you think it would be alright for me to go and see Aunt Elizabeth and the new baby? That would be wonderful.”

Jacob replied, “Yes, it would be good, but we have to be careful. You are coming near to the time of having your own son. We don’t want to put you and this holy child you are carrying at risk. I will see again about hiring a donkey for you to ride on so we can do our best to ease your travel.”

“Oh father,” Mary replied, “that would be wonderful.”

The following evening at dinner Jacob sighed and began to speak, “I have tried all day to find a donkey for you to use Mary.  It seems with all this traveling to complete the census, there isn’t a donkey nearby available. Maybe we’ll have to rethink our travel plans for you and Joseph.”

Mary straitened up and looked at her father, then her mother, “Father, mother, I want to go, even if I have to walk. The Highest One who has cared for us so far will look after us even if we are walking.”

Jacob and Naomi glanced at each other. Both thought of how well things had turned out for the couple so far, despite their many earlier anxieties. Jacob spoke, slowly, “Mary, I believe you are right. We don’t want to tempt fate, but you are a servant of one who is higher than any other power.” Jacob also recalled a certain prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem but he did not want to bring that up. Then they would all be more anxious, thinking about the possibility of Mary giving birth away from family and home. 

So it was that arrangements were completed and a few days later found Joseph and Mary retracing the steps they had taken only some 8 months before. The plan was to complete the business in Bethlehem, then stop off at the relatives in Jerusalem to give their greetings before going on for a brief visit with Zechariah and Elizabeth and their newborn son.

Mary’s story - Chapter 13 Home Again

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

Mary had enjoyed and been blessed by the visit with her aunt in Judea. However, she was glad to be home in Nazareth again with Joseph and his parents. She realized how it had barely begun to sink in to her before she had taken off for Judea that now she was actually a married woman, living with her husband in the home of his parents. She was learning how she fit into the family and how she could work together with her new mother-in-law. Of course, it was wonderful to see Joseph after work every day and to be able to send him off again in the morning with a lovingly prepared lunch for the day.

She had barely been home too though when she had gone to visit her parents and tell them all about the trip. They were pleased for their kinfolk in Judea, although they too felt sorry for what had happened to Zechariah.

However, what still awed them was the story Mary repeated about how Elizabeth’s pregnancy had come about and what the angel who had spoken to Zechariah had told him about the future of their own son. They had heard some of this from the messenger they had sent to Judea earlier but to hear it from their own daughter, with more conviction and detail continued to deepen their puzzlement at what was occurring. Hearing all this news from Judea anew only added to their increasing concern. Sometimes they were even fearful about what was going on with their families. 

Mary told them again, but in more detail, how angel had told Zechariah that he was to name his son John (Luke 1:13). This sounded strange as it was not the name of anyone in the family.The angel had also told Zechariahthat “joy and gladness” would come to them, and “many would rejoice at his birth, for he was going to be great in the sight of the Lord (Luke 1:14-15).” Zechariah had been told that John “must never drink wine or strong drink, and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth! (Luke 1:15)” Then there was the message about what would become of this son. Evidently, the best way they could understand it, was that he would become something of a prophet. He was going to “turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16).” And he was to go as “a forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him (Luke 1:17).” They had heard some of this before but the full import of it had not really begun to sink in as it began to now on hearing things again. 

This was most astounding! All faithful Jews knew that prophet Elijah was to return and prepare the way for the Messiah. This sounded just like what the prophet Malachi had said years before: “Look, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lordarrives. He will encourage fathers and their children to return to me. (Malachi 4:5-6a)” Was this saying that John was the resurrected Elijah? Mind you, the words were “in the spirit of,” not that he was Elijah. 

There was particularly the phrase, “A forerunner before the Lord (Luke 1:17).” That certainly sounded like Messianic predictions they were familiar with. Did it really mean? Could it really be true? That this child in Mary’s womb was the Messiah? The only qualification they could think of was that they were descendants of David. But beyond that, they could not imagine how they could be part of something so magnificent.

As these developments continued to occupy their minds, Joachim and Jacob’s conversations frequently turned to what all of this meant for Israel and especially for their families. Naomi and Anna had their thoughts and questions too. This should be something to rejoice about, a story too great to hold back. However, there were also too many reasons to keep quiet. There was the concern about the young couple, although they were now married, so that was less of an issue. However, the greater concern was what might come their way from their neighbours, their leaders, if they really learned that these two families believed that from them would come the Messiah. Who would believe it? And that was not even considering what the court of that murderous Herod, let alone the cruel Romans, would do with those who told such stories. Sometimes their hearts were heavy with the seeming responsibility of all this.

Joseph and Mary mostly just listened, trying to take it all in, wondering what it all meant. They heard their parents’ concerns and knew of their vailidity.  Yet, they both felt strangely at peace and often shared with each other how they felt this way. This mutual sense of the story they found themselves in only strengthened their belief that they were becoming an important part of God’s incomprehensible plans for his people. 

Chapter 12 – The Visit with Elizabeth

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

As was the case with many of the priests who served in the temple, Zechariah and Mary’s home was not far from Jerusalem. Mary’s mother’s sister, her uncle Benjamin, walked with her the last few miles west to the village of Ein Kerem.  

Mary entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? The instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

In one way, Mary was taken aback by his unusual greeting. In another way though, it filled her with joy! She had been right in wanting to come to see her aunt. They were uniquely sharing some as yet not understood blessing from The Highest One.

Before she had time to turn and thank Uncle Benjamin for bringing her here, she suddenly felt as though her tongue was not under her control and she heard herself uttering something entirely different and at the same time most beautiful words:

“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

“He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.

“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 

Just as suddenly, the oration was over. Mary was amazed. Where had that come from?

As if reading her mind, Elizabeth said, “Child, that was nothing less than the Spirit of Jehovah speaking through you! You are indeed most blessed to have The Highest One come upon you like this. How can we ever thank our Lord for these favours to us, among the least of his people?”

Mary had no answer to that. Understanding the full meaning of what was happening to them was still far away. Right now she was just happy to be with family who shared some of her blessing and could hopefully help her begin to understand it further.

Then she turned to thank her uncle and after he had shared some refreshments with Zechariah and his sister Elizabeth, he left to return to Jerusalem.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. But during those three months, they shared a lot of talks. Mary was blessed by the wisdom of her aunt. She was happy in return to help her aunt with housework. It was troubling though to see her dear uncle struggle with his being mute. However, she also loved him dearly and they managed to get along alright. It was also during these months that she too felt her babe move in her womb. This experience only deepened her wonder. Something great and also greatly beyond her was happening in and with her own body.

Chapter 11 – The Trip to Judea

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

Finally, word came from Judea that Zechariah and Elizabeth would be delighted to have their niece visit. The messenger that had been sent also told them that, yes, Elizabeth had told them she was pregnant. Furthermore, she had told him to tell Joachim and Anna that this had come about because an angel had visited Zechariah when he was serving in the temple and told him this was going to happen. Understandably, Zechariah had doubted this, with their being so advanced in years. As a result, God had struck him speechless until such a time as their son – it was going to be a boy, whom they were to name John – would be born. The angel had also told Zechariah that this boy wouldbe great in the sight of the Lord. He was never to drink wine or strong drink, and he was going to be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. The angel had said he would “turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He would go as a forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.” 

Of course, Anna wanted badly to know how her sister was doing. The messenger said she seemed to be well and had told him to reassure Anna of that. Furthermore, she was already into her fifth month.

This story would have seemed unbelievable to Joachim and Anna if it were not for the events that had also been happening in their home and in the home of Jacob and Naomi. Just the same, it just added more to their wonder and amazement at the things they were getting caught up in. And why their families? The ways of The Highest One were indeed mysterious and beyond comprehending. All they could do was give thanks and praise to Jehovah and trust that he was working out his plans still.

So, plans were quickly put in place for Mary and Joseph to go to Judea. Joachim arranged with their trusty servant Elias to accompany the young people. He had helped them on trips to and Judea and Jerusalem before.

The morning of the trip dawned bright and sunny. Joseph cold barely contain his excitement as he raced over the hill and across the valley to Sepphoris. Mary had gone back there to spend the night with her parents before being away for some time. 

When Joseph called out a greeting from the doorway Joachim bounded to the door and clapped his big hand around his shoulder, “Come in my son, come in. Have something to eat before you leave.”

Joseph protested that he had already eaten but even Anna prevailed upon him and he ate more. He had already seen

Eliab loading up a donkey in the street with food and bedding for the journey. He had brought some bread, dried figs and raisins of his own. 

When they had all finished breakfast and farewells were said, Joachim invoked a blessing from Jehovah for safety and good health for the 3 of them as they travelled. Besides their own food and bedding, they also carried some gifts for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Then they were off. Eliab walked in front of the donkey, holding the reins. Mary sat astride and Joseph walked alongside. Mary shyly reached out her hand and Joseph took it in his as they plodded along in silence for a while. It was still early and in some ways they barely felt awake. They were both filled with excitement though too. Barely married, and here they were making their first trip together. Joseph’s heart was almost bursting with pride as he walked erectly along beside his bride, sensing the increasing responsibilities that were being placed on him as a man now, no longer a boy.

It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed seeing the green hills, the flowers and the singing birds as they began their trek to the southeast. Following the customs of their people, they did not take the most direct route from Nazareth to Judea. The Jews of the time considered the peoples living south of Galilee, the Samaritans, unclean, as they were not pure Jews and did not believe, worship or live according to The Law in the same way the Jews did. So, they added a couple of days to their journey to Jerusalem rather than risk difficulties going through Samaria, as the citizens of that area were not always friendly to them either, knowing how they were viewed.  Thus, it was getting late in the day as they arrived at their first night stop, Beth Shan, the ancient city – town really – the Greeks and Romans called Scythopolis. This was a major crossroads between the east-west route from the eastern cities of the Decapolis to Palestine and the Mediterranean. There were many travellers stopping for the night but their sight was not that unfamiliar to these three. Nazareth was itself not that far from this route so many of these traders and pilgrims would pass that way too.

They had stopped for lunch on the way and now, after stopping to rest and have a little evening meal, they found a sheltered place to sleep for the night. They wrapped themselves in their blankets against the cool night air. Joseph felt a thrill as Mary turned to him and yielded the curves of her warm body to his protective arms. He could hardly believe his good fortune to be together like this with his beloved Mary.  Elias slept next to them and near their donkey, the better able to keep something of a guard for them. 

In the morning, after eating a bit more of their carried food, they turned south to the Jordan Valley.  They walked past fields of corn and grain, groves of olive trees and figs. To the left lay the blue hills of the Transjordan. On their right were the dry and grassy hills of their own land. 

Three days later, getting dusty and tired by this time, they reached Jericho. Here Eliab found them a citizen willing to let them share the family’s upper room for the night. He took care of the transactions required to make it possible. They rested easier that night, the young lovers once again thrilled to sleep in each other’s arms. 

Next morning, having eaten the last of their provisions and having refilled their canteens with water, they set out on the last leg of their journey together. It had been planned that Joseph and Eliab would accompany Mary to Jerusalem where they would stay with members of Anna’s family. From there someone from her aunt’s family would meet Mary and accompany her to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth in the village in the Judean hills in which they lived. Joseph and Eliab would return to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph did not relish the thought of parting for however long Mary would stay with her aunt, but that was what their parents had arranged so they complied.

The 20 miles or so from Jericho to Jerusalem were noted for the rough terrain in between. To begin with it was bleak, hilly and dry. It was also a steep climb from the Jordan Valley to the mountains on which Jerusalem was built. The winding road past rocky ledges and caves was also notorious as a hiding place for thieves who sometimes attacked travellers violently. For that reason, Eliab had made arrangement for the three of them to travel with others going up to Jerusalem. If this had been a feast time the road would have been filled with pilgrims making their joyous way westward together but that was not the case now. Still, there was always the belief that there was some increased measure of safety in numbers. The trio also said an extra prayer for safety before they set out.

Before the day had ended the 3 travellers y did arrive safely at Mary’s relative’s home in Jerusalem. They were welcomed enthusiastically and refreshed after their long and wearying journey. Under the circumstances as guests the couple were not able to sleep together that night. Mary slept with her relatives and Joseph and Eliab were given a place of their own to rest. 

Next morning after their hosts had given them a good breakfast and seen to it that the men had provisions with which to start out on their return journey, Joseph and Mary hugged each other tightly as they bade each other a tearful farewell. Then, Joseph was off back to Nazareth and his work and Mary prepared to travel the last short distance to meet her aunt and uncle in their nearby home.

Mary – Ch. 9 – It is Arranged

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

That night at dinner Joseph and Mary’s parents discussed how they would proceed. They agreed that it would be good for the two young people to marry, and soon. This wasn’t the usual custom – engagements could last a year - but these were unusual circumstances. This would help keep tongues from wagging too much as it became apparent Mary was pregnant. However, even more so, the two families believed The Highest One was behind all this so it should be alright. If people asked questions they would simply say that they had consulted Jehovah and this seemed the way to go.   

Then, there was the matter of going to visit Mary’s cousin. The sense was still that this would be a good move to further help reduce the risk of gossip and unpleasant consequences for the young couple. Besides, it would give Mary a chance to connect with her relatives and share experiences with Elizabeth.

Joachim stated that he has already sent word to Zechariah and Elizabeth to see if Mary’s visit would be alright. If and when they received an affirmative response they would make arrangements for Mary to go safely there. 

“Actually,” Joachim said, “I think if we can arrange the marriage as soon as possible, I think it would be good for you –“ he looked straight at Joseph, leaning forward and speaking very intently, “ to take Mary. You have both been that way before. We would send a servant along and arrange for a ride for Mary. That way, you two could spend some time together and get to know each other better. What do you think?” he added, looking at Mary and then Joseph in turn. 

Joseph’s heart had skipped a few beats and he could see Mary’s face brighten and she was practically beaming when she answered her father, “Papa, I would love that very much. Wouldn’t you Joseph?” She finished, looking at him. 

“I – I – I can’t think of anything I’d rather do more,” Joseph stammered. 

Joachim chuckled expansively, “It’s a deal then. We will just wait for the right time to go. And meanwhile we will have to plan the wedding,” he closed, looking at Joseph’s parents. They nodded their assent.

“It all just seems so much,” Naomi sighed, “What is our God requiring of us?”

“Who knows?” Joachim remonstrated, spreading his arms wide for emphasis, “The ways of the Lord are mysterious and beyond understanding. It is up to us only to obey.” 

“Joachim and Anna,” Jacob interjected, “We owe you a lot. Thank you so much.”

“These are the things we have to do for our children,” Joachim said with a shrug, “Meanwhile, we all still have our normal routines to follow. Tomorrow is another work day.”

“Yes,” Jacob answered, rising along with Naomi to leave. Joseph also role to follow his parents out. They all exchanged farewells and the three vanished into the night.

TRICKSTERS, TRANSFORMERS, SHAPE-SHIFTERS AND BIBLE STORIES

Tricksters, transformers, shape shifters and BIBLE stories? Or my! What are we getting into here?

I have thought about some of these things as I have wondered about Bible stories and also been learning more native stories. There may be more similarities than you would think. Indeed, if we accept that there was one Creator God who made this earth and everything in it, we are starting off with something of a common denominator for all peoples. Is it not quite possible that he also appeared to and communicated with peoples other than those whose visitations are recorded in the Old and New Testament? I think we would have to be rather presumptuous to say no way.

Now I am talking here about first Nations mythology and the Bible. But there is one other component that also crossed my mind in thinking about these things. I have never read The Book of Mormon and do not claim to know much about that religion. However, it seems to me I have read that they do refer to First Nations peoples, possibly not only in North America but around the world, as having a special role in receiving supernatural visitations. Again, although we as Christians might be dismissive of many elements of the Mormon tradition, there are good parts to it too. Again, if you believe there is only one God, and therefore only one ultimate truth, parts of it may have filtered down in many ways to many peoples.

The Old Testament stories I am thinking about are particularly the ones involving Abraham and also his grandson Jacob. In a couple of the stories where Abraham is the human, we read of visitors that come to him to talk with him about future things and, and promise things such as the birth of a son. On another occasion they came to talk to him about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  These visitors are not specifically referred to as angels. In fact, they are more described as actually being God visiting Abraham. Indeed, who these visitors were has been the subject of speculation down through the ages. Some have thought that these were even visitations by Jesus prior to his becoming a human being. Some of the stories where Moses encounters the supernatural could also be considered here.

There is another key element in all of this that we need to address to give more weight to it all. That is the element of humour. All cultures include in their stories fantastical sides that really have humorous elements to them. Indeed, in many religious traditions, these are also still present. When it comes to Christianity, they are probably more evident in the Roman Catholic tradition than the Protestant. Just think about some of the goings on in relation to the many festivals that some of us are familiar with in the former tradition and  the stories and figures that go with them, e.g. Mardi Gras.

Somehow, in Protestantism and Anabaptism we seem to have lost that.  I think we can gain some understanding of how this came to be if we know what our spiritual forefathers were protesting against. The stories about figures in the Roman Catholic church tradition had become much too creative and magical.  There was more emphasis put on passing these traditions and associated rites on than seeing that Christianity was about a way of living, or discipleship, as our ancestors saw it. Anything to do with faith and living in the Christian path of discipleship became serious business. I am not sure we have a similar expression for this in the Mennonite tradition but you may have heard about “dour Scottish Presbyterians.”  Indeed, a colleague of mine remembers the gates of the local playground being locked on Sundays in his childhood Scotland. Talk about taking the Sabbath Day seriously.

For some reason, talking about God, Jesus and Christianity included no space for humour and laughter. But how could that happen? If we believe that God created everything, and as we often perhaps too glibly say, we are made in his image, where does our sense of humour come from? I don’t think we would be ready to say that it all comes from the devil. Even then, some could say Satan must have been created by God, but that’s another discussion.

I believe that our sense of humour does come from our Creator. It is just that in our seriousness about our faith we have tended to have a blind spot about where humour might fit in. Indigenous traditions are not troubled by that. I am most familiar with our First Nations traditions, even though my knowledge of them is quite limited. However, their legends, as alluded to above, are full of stories about all levels of beings playing tricks and exhibiting various aspects of humour. Clever creatures like the raven and sneaky animals like the coyotes are part of this.  Even the Walt Disney cartoons carried this on with their stories of humour enshrined in animals such as Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, to name just a couple.

So, if we did get through some of our heavy layers of seriousness to look at new at biblical stories in a fresh open way, will we see the humour?  I am sure there are some who might read this who will say this is bordering on the sacrilegious. Really? Your faith is that easy to knock over? You still don’t believe God created the sense of humour?

Were God or Jesus or the angels not “shape-shifting,” i.e. appearing in other forms, when they came to visit Abraham and Jacob? We just have not described it in those terms. What about the transformation of Lot’s wife into the proverbial pillar of salt?  What about the transformation of a bush in the desert into a fire in front of Moses? And what about Abraham and Sarah and even Zechariah and Elizabeth in the New Testament being promised children in their old age? There is no humour or trickery in that? Sarah laughed because she thought it was an impossible joke.

We could even look at some of the New Testament stories in this light. What about Jesus turning water into wine? Wasn't that a fine trick to play late in the wedding feast? What about Jesus scaring his disciples by walking across the water in the middle of the night? You can’t see any humour in that?  You mean you have never tried to scare someone in the dark?

I would postulate that similar events and the resulting stories occurred among many peoples. However, for reasons only God knows, it appears that he chose the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially in the incarnation of Jesus, to reveal himself most completely and fully. The history and context of that tradition, as we already mentioned with respect to the Reformation above, shaped and transformed many of those stories so that we no longer see them in the same humorous light in which other traditions still pass on their stories.

Of course, there is a lot more to it than that, but perhaps we have just become too heavy about it all. Maybe there are some ways we could just lighten up, even a little, and find more fun and enjoyment in our faith stories.  Which stories can you think of?