Chapter 18 – Settling in Bethlehem; More Surprise Visitors

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The family talked things over further over dinner and into the evening, recounting the unusual events of the past 10 months or so. Ultimately, they praised and thanked The Highest One for what he was doing and agreed they just had to leave things in the hands of Jehovah. They then all retired for the night at Benjamin and Hannah's home.

Next morning, Zechariah and Elizabeth bade the rest of them farewell and left with John for their home. Joseph and Mary then began to think about their own plans for returning to their home in Nazareth. They had not gone very far with that before there was a guest calling at the door for their uncle.

When Benjamin went to the door, an anxious-looking man bowed low before straightening up and saying that he had important but sad news to bring them. No one had been out of the home since they had returned from the Temple before so they had not heard or seen anything in the community.

The man related that a group of Galileans had revolted and attacked Sepphoris. As a result, Gov. Quirinius of Syria had sent in his troops and rather thoroughly demolished much of the residential area of the city. Needless to say, this was extremely distressing news for the family, especially Joseph and Mary.

Both of them anxiously demanded of the messenger whether he knew anything of the state of affairs with their parents. He went on to report that this was part of the reason for his appearance; he had been sent to reassure them that Joseph's parents were alright in Nazareth and Mary's parents had left the city as soon as the Galilean rebels head appeared, fearing the worst. They were temporarily staying with Jacob and Naomi but were planning to come back to Jerusalem. That was something of a relief to the young couple. Joseph was still concerned about his parents but the man indicated that things were quiet in Nazareth and it did not seem as if there would be any problems there. Benjamin thanked the man for his news and invited him in for some refreshments, considering the travel he had just undertaken.

This alarming news certainly changed thoughts about plans to return to Nazareth. After the man left, Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah talked things over with Joseph and Mary. Their opinion was that the young couple might as well stay in Bethlehem for now, where they already had a place to live and from where Joseph was finding some work. The offered them to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the arrival of Mary's parents if they wished. However, the young couple decided they would like to return to their own home and would see about visiting with Mary's parents later.

So it was, that Mary and Joseph settled into life in Bethlehem and began to raise their precious son.  Mary's parents did relocate once again to Jerusalem, finding a place to live near the north end of the city and the Pool of Bethesda, where they had lived before. The young family were visited by the parents after their arrival in Jerusalem too. How glad they were to see them safe and sound and to hear again that Joseph's parents were alright.

Time passed, and things seem to be settling into a reasonably comfortable routine.  In spite of the number of unusual events that Joseph and Mary had been privy to over the last year and more, something that happened next was still totally unexpected. The young family was settling in for the night one evening when there was a big commotion outside their door. Suddenly a voice with an unfamiliar accent asked if this was the home of Joseph and Mary and the child who was to be king! Joseph and Mary looked at each other, panic rising in their hearts. Joseph hesitated, but then motioned for Mary and the baby to stay back and went to the door.

There to his amazed eyes he saw a retinue of ornately decorated camels with richly dressed riders perched atop them. There were several other men milling about, holding the reins of the camels, whom Joseph judged to be the servants of the riders. The man at the door asked again, “Is there a new baby boy here?” Pointing up at the sky he went on, “See that star?” 

Joseph followed the man’s finger straight overhead. Well, yes, he had noticed that star on previous evenings, and also that it seemed to move over time, but had not paid it much attention. The man went on, “These men,” gesturing towards the camel riders, “are a group of men who study the significance of heavenly bodies. They believe this star indicates the birth of a great king. Therefore, they have set out from their homeland far east of here to come and find this king. They followed the star to your country. Naturally, we then went to the palace of your king, as where else would you expect a future king to be born (Matthew 2:1-2)?”

By this time some of the men were dismounting the camels and beginning to remove packages from the camels’ saddlebags. The spokesperson continued, “We got an audience with your King Herod. He had to call in your seers to find out what this was all about. They told him that in your religion’s holy writing a prophet once wrote that someday a child will be born in Bethlehem who will become king of the Jews. With that information we left Jerusalem and continued to follow the star and it did indeed lead us here. So, where is this baby (Matthew 2:3-6)?”

Joseph really did not know what else to do at that point in the face of this group but welcome these guests and show them in. He apologized for the humbleness of their abode, conscious of their own low place in society, but the guests were only interested in seeing the child. 

By now the distinguished-looking guests with their packages had assembled about Joseph and their spokesperson and all crowded in behind him when he turned to enter his home.

When their eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, illuminated only by the flickering light of an olive oil lamp, the men saw Mary in the back with the baby Jesus in her arms. They dropped to their knees, placing their bags beside them and fell forward, faces to the ground in obeisance to the one they believed would become a great king. Having completed that part of their homage they then, in turn, began to open their boxes of gifts and offer them to the family (Matthew 2:11). 

Mary gasped – gold, frankincense and myrrh! “Oh, but we can’t accept these,” she protested, reaching out one arm to indicate the gifts, “for what is this honour?” 

The men bowed again and then explained what they had already told Joseph outside. Mary hardly knew what to say. By now Joseph was at her side, listening again to the report of the visitors from the East. 

As the guests stood up to leave, one of them said in the best Aramaic he could muster, “Our mission is accomplished. We have seen the future king the star told us about. Now, your king has instructed us to let him know where we found the baby so he too can come and pay homage to this future great king.” Joseph and Mary both felt their chests tighten with that news. Did these men not know their king? Could he be trusted? But what could they say to these men?  Indeed, the men were bowing once more and again blessing the family and child. Joseph bowed in return and blessed them in return, wishing them a safe journey back. Both Joseph and Mary then thanked them sincerely for the gifts. Joseph also followed them out to bid them further farewell.

Mary’s Story Chapter 17 – In the Temple

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Between the efforts of their ‘innkeeper’ and Joseph’s own work, the young family soon found a better place to stay. They were able to get their own room with another family. Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary also completed their family land business and then registered for the census. 

Then they began to think about their original plans of visiting Mary’s family in Jerusalem and her aunt and uncle with their newborn in Ein Kerem. Joseph had some money he had saved to help keep them going but that wasn’t going to last long. Fortunately, he also managed to find a couple of odd jobs to earn some more. On the 6^thday after Jesus’ birth they then did make their way into Jerusalem to Mary’s Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah’s there. They were enthusiastically welcomed and their hosts were happy to see that all had gone well in spite of the seemingly untimely birth. 

Then Mary’s relatives had an idea: since they were in Jerusalem, why not take Jesus to the temple for his presentation as a firstborn male, his circumcision, naming ceremony and Mary’s purification. If they had not been here it would have been done with family and elders in Nazareth, but that was far away. Mary and Joseph talked it over with them and thought that would be a good idea. Their hosts also then sent word out to Ein Kerem and made preparations for Zechariah, Elizabeth and little John to come to join them all in Jerusalem, “That way, you don’t have to travel so much,” Aunt Hannah said, “You’ve had your share of adventure for now.”

That evening when they were alone for the night, Mary said to Joseph, “I think it is most wonderful and appropriate for Jesus to be presented at the temple. If he is of God through his Spirit, he is not ours. We do need to show that we do give him to The Highest One for whatever His purposes are for him. If he is going to be our king and saviour, the Messiah, we should do the best we can for him in these matters. We should do what is right according to The Law.” Joseph was amazed again at Mary’s knowledge in these matters and her strong faith but had to concede that she had some good points there. This trip was indeed turning into something far beyond what they could have ever anticipated.

The next day little John and his parents arrived. What a joyful reunion that was. Mary could not help looking at the little boy before her and wonder what it had meant when the angel had told Zechariah that John was going to prepare the way of the Lord. How would their two sons’ paths be connected in the future? Only God knew at this time. When she had some time with Elizabeth alone she learned that she and Zechariah had the same questions. Like her and her family though, they tended to keep all this somewhat quiet. It was never a good idea to say too much about these matters aloud in the political climate of the day. King Herod was known to be terribly paranoid about any threats to the throne and the Romans – well, they did not tolerate any threats of what they would surely see as revolt against them.

On the eighth day, Joseph having purchased the required offering as a substitute for their firstborn and for purification, the young family went up to the temple, accompanied by their relatives (Luke 2:22-4). They approached the priests at the periphery of the temple and were assured their offering was acceptable. They left it with the priests and received the appropriate blessing for having offered this for their firstborn son. Then they were directed to a side chamber of the temple where Jesus was circumcised. Mary could not bear to look when she saw the priest take his sharp knife and begin to unwrap Jesus garments. A sharp cry told her it was over and she turned to gather Jesus into her comforting arms as the priest completed wrapping his newly shorn organ in a poultice and dressing. 

When the priest asked about the name of the child to be blessed, Mary repeated again, "Jesus." The priest did not seem perturbed by this and pronounced his blessing on them, laying his hands on Jesus' head, and then told them they had accomplished all that was required and were free to go. 

They were barely back within the courts of the temple when an elderly man appeared crying out with a could voice. He almost raced toward the bewildered family. Before they knew what was happening he had taken Jesus out of Mary’s arms and holding him up toward heaven cried, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:27-32).”

Everyone was stunned (Luke 2:33). A small crowd was starting to gather and the family was beginning to feel a bit vulnerable. But the old man was not finished. After finishing his praise to God and blessing him for keeping his promises that he would not die before he had “seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26),” he turned to bless the young couple and child. Then, placing little Jesus firmly back in Mary’s arms, He gripped her arms and almost piercing her soul with his gaze, declared, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:34-5)!” 

Then Simeon turned and strode back through the crowd, continuing to praise The Highest One as he went. Mary could not but help thinking how this was so like what had happened with the shepherds a few days earlier. What was in store for them she could not imagine. She held Jesus all the more tightly and leaned towards her relatives and asked, “Who was that?”

“Ah,” said Uncle Benjamin, “that is Simeon. He has been hanging around the temple for as long as anyone can remember. He is forever talking about “the restoration of Israel (Luke 2:25).”

“Indeed,” chimed in Uncle Zechariah, perhaps a little more graciously, “He is known to be a righteous and devout man. It would appear that he Spirit of the Lord has been speaking to him – especially about the coming of this child,” he said, nodding towards Jesus.

“Well,” replied Uncle Benjamin, “You have all been telling me about these strange and special visitations around the birth of these boys.  It seems to grow stranger all the time. Who can tell us what this all really means?

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wizened elderly woman whom they had hardly noticed join them leaned into Jesus’ face and then, turning her eyes to heaven, raised her arms, her face simply glowing, and began to “give thanks to God (Luke 2:38).” She kept on blessing the child and family and praising God before them all. With a final gesture of grasping Jesus’ face in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead she turned back into the crowd. As she walked off, they heard her speak about the child, saying that they prayers of all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem were about to be answered (Luke 2:38).

By this time the family was getting a little anxious. Not wanting to attract any more attention, never knowing where that could lead, they quickly made their way to the outer courtyard. As they went, Mary asked her uncles, “And who was that lady?”

“That,” began Uncle Benjamin, “is Anna. She is known as a prophetess, and is a childless widow.”

“Yes,” added Uncle Zechariah again, “she practically never leaves the temple, but spends all her days here in worship with fasting and prayer, even at night (Luke 2:36-7).”  

The family walked most of the rest of the way back to Uncle Benjamin’s in silence. They were all feeling more than a little overcome by what had just transpired and needed time to collect their thoughts.

Mary’s Story - Chapter 16 – Special Visitors

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“Mary,” her midwife helper said, “here is your son. Now you need to learn to feed him.” She kneeled next to Mary and helped her rearrange her garments so her breasts were accessible and positioned the baby in Mary’s arms with his cheek against Mary’s breast. Immediately the child began looking for her nipple and in no time latched on and began to suck. When it seemed he was satisfied and looked as if he were falling asleep, Mary looked about for a place for him.

“Here,” said Rachel, indicating the manger, “This will be perfect. We’ll make sure the animals are kept away for now.”

Mary tenderly laid the newborn, now wrapped tightly in layers of cloth, in the manger and knelt at the side of the manger, gazing in wonder at the sleeping infant. Joseph came and knelt by her side and also looked wonderingly at the child.

“So,” Rachel asked, “Has this baby been assigned a name?” Traditionally, naming was a significant rite shared by the family. “You two seem to be all alone here. How will you name this baby? Or do you know what its name is to be?”

“Jesus,” offered Joseph.

“Yes?” Rachel looked inquiringly at Mary.

“Yes,” responded Mary.

“Saviour –“ Rachel said, “unusual, but an honourable name. Well, when he is circumcised you can decide for sure.”  

Suddenly the tranquility of the moment was broken by a commotion outside the home. Before Salmon and Rachel had time to see what was going on a swarm of shepherds invaded their space. They seemed all excited about something and kept talking about blinding light, angels and singing in the night sky. They all suddenly became subdued when they saw the baby in the manger and dropped to their knees, bowing face to the ground, loudly praising The Highest One.

By this time Salmon had appeared and between himself and Rachel tried to bring some order to the scene. “What is going on here?” Salmon bellowed.

One of the older shepherds, probably their chief, stood up and bowed in the direction of the four, “Sirs, ladies, we beg your pardon. We were tending our sheep and suddenly the sky was ablaze with light and we saw an angel descend in front of us. We were all paralyzed with fear, naturally. Wouldn’t you be? But this angel told us, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 2:11Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 2:12This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-12).”

“So, we came looking in the town for where a baby had been born and some people knew a very pregnant woman had come here last evening so here we are (Luke 2:15)!”

“And here is this baby in a manger, just as the angel said. It’s a miracle!” the shepherd dropped to his knees with his comrades again.Turning back, he raised his arms wide and said,  2:13“Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 2:14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased (Luke 2:13-14)!”

Salmon and Rachel were speechless, ‘What was going on?’ 

Then the shepherds all tried to repeat the story to them and others who had heard the noise and were beginning to gather outside and peer into the door. They kept on praising Jehovah and finally, turning with one last bow to the astonished foursome, vanished into the night, calling out continued praise as they went. 

Salmon and Rachel turned back to Joseph and Mary, “This is unbelievable; I don’t know what to make of this,” Rachel exclaimed, “What do you make of it? This baby, the Messiah, the Saviour? Indeed, you did say his name was going to be Jesus.”

“Yes, yes we did,” Mary said quietly. 

“I don’t know,” interjected Salmon, “It just doesn’t seem to make sense. But hey,” he said, gesturing towards Rachel, “these poor folks have had quite a day. I’m sure they need a rest.” Waving his arm around the dark chamber he added, “Sorry again about the lodgings. We can take care of business in the morning and try to find you some better lodgings.”

“Oh, thank you,” replied Joseph and Mary, almost in unison, “How can we ever thank you for all you’ve done. Our Jehovah will surely bless you for your kindness.”

“Oh,” protested Salmon, “We really have not done anything much worthy of blessing. Shalom to you!”  

“We will bring back more oil for the lamp,” said Rachel, “You will need a little light to get your bearings when the baby is hungry again. And I will bring some water to drink too. You must be thirsty after all that.”

Suddenly, Joseph and Mary realized they too were hungry. When the hosts had gone, they unwrapped the last of their food and ate it before Rachel reappeared with more oil and the promised water. They thanked her and drank some to quench their thirst before lying down together, exhausted, on the straw next to the manger. It wasn’t long before Mary heard Joseph’s even breathing signifying he was asleep. But her mind was too full of all that had happened and how it connected with the visits of the angels to herself and Joseph. She raised herself on her elbow and made out the form of her calmly sleeping infant. She reached out to touch his cheek again. He stirred momentarily and then settled. With that, Mary’s heart seemed to swell with an unbearable joy and feeling of contentment and peace. She lay back down and snuggled up against Joseph as the chill of the night began to make itself felt. Eventually, her fatigue overtook her thoughts and she too fell asleep.

Mary’s Story – Chapter 15 – Jesus is Born

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The sun was low in the West as the young couple saw the towers of Jerusalem in the distance as they turned south to Bethlehem. They trudged wearily across the low valley and up the eastern slope of the hill on which Bethlehem lay. They were trying to get there as fast as they could because Mary had begun to complain of backache, which, as they approached the town, seemed to begin to come and go in waves. Mary did not want to alarm Joseph so had not told him of this latest change in her pain. He just believed she was tired from being pregnant and walking that distance, and wanted to get them a place for her to rest. 

There had been others on the road with them, also coming to Jerusalem and Bethlehem because of the census. Joseph had his own little worry – that there would be no place for them to stay. They finally did come to a place where they could see some other travellers about the premises so Joseph concluded this could be a place that was making space available for travellers. 

They turned aside and Joseph inquired as to whether they had room for two more. The owner of the house was at first dismissive and said they had no room, but apologized when he saw Mary and said they were already full and really could do no more. In response to Joseph’s query as to whether there were other places to stay, he really could not say. Joseph was considering going on to look for himself when a sudden cry came from Mary and he turned in dismay as he saw her crumple to the ground. The owner’s wife came out at that point and seeing Mary in her condition ran to help her and turned and said sternly to her husband, “Ephraim, they can stay in the loft above the animals. At least they can rest there and it will even be a little warmer. At least it will be shelter.” Turing back to Mary she said, “Poor child, having to come all this way in your condition.” With her help joseph pulled Mary to her feet and placed his arm inside hers to support her more  firmly as they were led to the dark area at the side of the house where the lady helped Mary up some steps and quickly pushed together some heaps of straw for the weary travellers to lie down on. 

When Mary gasped again as pain struck her once more, the woman looked at her protruding abdomen, then up to meet Mary’s eyes, “Are you in labour?” 

“I don’t know,” Mary panted, maybe? She looked beseechingly into the woman’s eyes, “What can I do?”  

Joseph’s mind was in turmoil. What was happening to their trip? What seemed to be unfolding in front of him was not something he had at all anticipated!

Joseph had the presence of mind still to throw his cloak down on the straw for Mary to lie down on. The homeowner’s wife was running back towards their area of the house yelling at her husband and family. In short order, she was back with a burning lamp that she placed on the flat top of a stone in the wall where it protruded from the one above it. Soon a child whom Joseph judged to be one of their children appeared with a basin of warm water which, following her mother’s instructions, she placed near Mary’s feet.

The woman, meanwhile had helped Mary settle comfortably onto the straw. Having learned their names, she asked Joseph to sit at Mary’s head. Joseph was glad to do so. It seemed that someone knew what she was doing. He sure did not know what to do. 

Just then Mary had another of her pains. “Yes, Mary,” the lady said, “I think you are going to have a baby.”  Joseph’s eyes widened and he had to struggle to calm the panic he felt coming over him. 

“Joseph,” the woman said, “put your legs alongside Mary and let her rest on your chest. It will give her support and make it easier for her. At some point she will have to push and you can be what she pushes against!” 

Joseph meekly followed the woman’s instructions. He had no other ideas. Meanwhile, she was helping rearrange Mary’s garments to make room for the baby to be born.

Mary was young, strong and healthy, and it was not long before she cried, “I think the baby is starting to come!” 

The woman yelled at her husband again and he appeared with a knife which he lay beside the lamp and took the basin of water away and then returned with it filled with clean warm water again.

“Mary,” she said, “I know it is hard, but if you can squat – Joseph can put his arms under yours and help you up, it will be much better.”

The young people continued to follow their helper’s suggestions. When it was evident Mary was having another contraction, she was instructed to push. Joseph had braced himself against her to keep her upright. A few contractions later a head of black hair appeared and with the next contraction they saw the whole head. 

“Try to relax and take some deep breath between the pains,” the woman said.

Suddenly the baby cried, just as Mary felt another pain coming on. With a cry and extra strain on her part, the baby emerged in its entirety and into a cloth the woman was holding at the ready. The baby cried again as she wrapped it in the cloth and laid it between her and Mary. She reached for the knife and, passing it through the flame, cut the umbilical cord. After quickly tying the ends in knots she began to bath the baby with the water in the basin. At the same time she told Mary, “You are not done yet, there is still the afterbirth. A few pushes later Mary rid herself of that and suddenly she felt a whole lot better. Instead of the pain filling her mind she was now filled with wonder at this miracle in front of them. What an amazing thing had just happened!

“Joseph,” she whispered turning her fact up towards his, squeezing his hands one more, giving him a kiss on the cheek, “It’s our Jesus.” 

Joseph did not know whether to laugh or cry. Nor for that matter did Mary.    

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

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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

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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.