MARY OF GALILEE

Before I begin to describe Mary, may I say that Mary and Joseph may at times felt they were trapped by the events that came to them over the next few months.  Although they had a very true love for each other, they did have some difficult things to accept and to which they had to adjust.  Therefore, I would start with this message from Psalm 124:8,"Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  These words may have been repeated often by each of them or both of them together.


The study for those words you may or may not find helpful.  "Do you ever feel trapped by over-whelming odds?  With God, there is always a way out because he is the Creator of all that exists.  No problem is beyond his ability to solve; no circumstance is too difficult for him."  We only need to trust him and look for it."  (End, study)


Now, we begin our look at the two who had one of the most wonderful, yet difficult, experiences to handle, Joseph and Mary of Galilee.  Mary was barely a woman, a woman like other women and anxious today to find her beloved, Joseph.  Surely, he would guess, as she would not tell him she was ready to marry, to bear his children and to live separately from her family, as they could now be "one."


Yes, she was just a woman, probably 13 years old.  And like anyone in love, she was anxious to see her man.  Mary's mother, Hannah, watched Mary skip down the path toward Joseph's home and felt herself getting older, knowing the hardship in the world for women.  Mothers looked at their daughters in wonder, often thinking, "Could she be the One, the One to be the mother of the Anointed One?"  And Hannah saw her daughter not as the One but just as beautiful and otherwise gifted, too.  Mary was delicate, gentle, patient, and helpful with a surprisingly, wonderful wit.


Mary adored her father and favored him sometimes to the point of shutting out her mother.  She composed her own songs and stories as well as singing the old psalms.  Many young men showed interest in her, but her heart belonged to the older, more serious, more splendid, Joseph.


Hannah hoped Mary would marry someone with wealth and power and did not like to think of Mary with Joseph, marrying and living in this small village.  Surely, her daughter could do better.  Yet, Hannah knew, Joseph lingered often with Mary and they laughed together over many things!
Hannah held her breath when she watched the two of them together, afraid Mary's fate would be hard work and bearing children if she married the poor carpenter.


Thus ends the quick look at Mary's delight in her family and her love of a poor man.  Only Hannah, her mother, found the plan for this marriage an affront to what was right.


A typical family of the world?  No two people were as mis-matched and perhaps, unlikely, as Mary and Joseph, but we know better because of history and a book. Thanks to Marjorie Holmes, author of TWO FROM GALILEE.


Joseph's description and more will come tomorrow, I hope!


Jo INMN