It is Monday, and back we go to the story of Mary and Joseph, first written in the Bible, then magnified skillfully by Marjorie Holmes in her book, TWO FROM GALILEE written some time ago. Our story is only bits and pieces of her book, the story shortened to be only a hint of the beginning life of our Lord Jesus Christ through the lives of his human parents, Mary and Joseph and their love story.
We come again, to Joseph's home where he had been just visited by an angel who told him that his job and future was to take as his wife, Mary, his own precious love, but he was not to "know" her until after the Babe was born. From this point on, Joseph was determined to rush to Jerusalem to bring her home, but he discovers his father, Jacob, has died and Joseph is needed desperately in Nazareth.
As his father lay on his death bed, Joseph begged his father's forgiveness for the selfish and unloving attitude he had nurtured for himself. As he knelt before Jacob's body he cried out, "Father!,Father!"...
Joseph knelt before Jacob whose eyes glittered from the early light from the coins placed upon their lids. Joseph hoped his father's soul had not yet departed as he cried, "Father! Listen and hear! It is not shame that Mary brings to us; it is glory! She is carrying the holy child that has been prophesied so long ago. And I, your son, am to be involved as her husband and keeper of the child! The family of Jacob is to be honored above all men that this wondrous thing is coming to pass!"
Joseph stumbled to his feet as the women of the village entered with basins and fragrant spices to wash Jacob's body for burial...And Joseph was astonished to see the women were being led by Hannah, Mary's mother! When the day was nearly gone, the men came, lifted Jacob to their shoulders and carried him into the hills to the family burial cave. And this was the journey that Joseph made that day....instead of the one to Jerusalem!
In common decency, Joseph could not leave until after the period of mourning, in spite of the warning by the angel who had said, "Don't delay!" So, he made his plans for Jerusalem even as he grieved for Jacob. But on the final day of mourning, Joseph saw her! "Is it an illusion?" he wondered. HIs head was light from fasting and the heat's sweat trickled into his eyes. But, there was a donkey plodding along carrying the likeness of Mary!
She slid down, took a step toward him, but he lifted a hand to keep her away, for he was unclean from touching his father's face in his goodbye. "Joseph?" she said, and began to tremble, her anticipation draining away. "Joseph, aren't you glad to see me?"
She was different, but her beauty was still there. He saw the dark hair, damp and curling, her sweet mouth, and shining eyes. She had pushed her veil back and he saw her hair brushed in a new way; and she had gold circlets in her ears. Her gown was shimmering blue, like the sky, too fine for Nazareth. He was dazzled and dazed at the same time.
"Joseph, you're in mourning! "Who?" she whispered, as sounds of mourning came from the house. "My father, Jacob," Joseph answered. And Mary responded as her face took on sorrow; "Oh, Joseph, I grieve, too for the love of my beloved's father."
Longing for her hit Joseph--to touch her, hold her-- and relief that she had returned to him. He was overcome with feelings for her, but steadied himself to say, "What brings you back to Nazareth?"
And she answered with a whisper, "My need for you , Joseph."
"Mary, blessed Mary. My blessed, my beloved. Forgive me for ever doubting." Joseph spoke as if she might break. "I know now," and then his voice raised loudly, "I know!" He did crouch then at her feet and kissed the hem of her gown.
(End of story for today)
Quite a beautiful love they have, isn't it? The love of my life hasn't been as glamorous and certainly not as well-known, but it has been very, very good and precious, too, to Jerry and to me. I hope the same for each one of you.
Hoping, also, that these words help to make a more meaningful Christmas for you all.
JO INMN
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