We continue the love story of Mary and Joseph, the two whom God honored with the birthing and raising of His Son, Jesus. Originally found in the book, TWO FROM GALILEE by Marjorie Holmes, the story told here is not a quote but a synopsis of her story. Ms. Holmes book is a definite suggested read! To continue....
Joseph, having just heard Mary's declaration, stumbled down the hill toward his home. He had heard her news and had stayed composed. But he was not composed. No, he staggered drunkenly, not caring, hoping he might fall over some precipice. Longing, even, to die. "Surely," he thought, "God will now be merciful to me--and kill me!"
"Mercy? God?" He laughed aloud, thinking God's mercy was absurd! "I need wine, perhaps to sleep, or get drunk! He regretted his thoughts. "No, he was being foolish. Just enough wine to let him sleep, sleep off this awful pain!" At his father's shop, he groped in the dark for the hidden sack of wine,.
Timna, his mother, appeared at the door. "My son, is something wrong? she asked. "No, no, Joseph answered quickly. "I didn't feel like sleeping. I was just walking in the hills. Go back to bed, mother, I am fine." "Is Mary all right?" Timna probed. "No, it's nothing, mother, she is just tired," Joseph said. "She is going to visit an aunt near Jerusalem." "But, why?" Timna wanted to know, "with wedding preparations--Joseph, tell me. You haven't done anything...."" her eyes searched his, and saw anguish cover his face. His next words made Timna gasp. "You mustn't think evil of her, mother." Those words made Timna gasp again, "Oh, no, son. That would be the very last thing I would think of Mary." She bade him good night and left, still feeling very puzzled about Mary and why she was leaving at this busy time.
The following day, at Mary's house, Hannah plunged into the work of preparing Mary for her journey toward Jerusalem. "Keep busy," she thought, "get Mary out of the village!" Keep her away from Joseph, and the village's suspicious looks and wagging tongues." Another thought quickly moved in, "It cannot be true! I may deserve this grief, but not Joachim! Wasn't it enough that their first son had a twisted body and was blind? Esau. And now, Mary!" Another thought followed, "Let Mary visit Elizabeth for awhile. Let her learn what it is like to carry a child, to worry over a child." All this time her hands were busy packing some things her sister, Elizabeth, might like.
Meanwhile, Joachim looked into finding safe passage for Mary journeying to Elizabeth's home in Ain-Karen. "Four days journey," he thought, "but so close to harvest time, not many will be going to Jerusalem."
At this time, Joseph's father, Jacob, having heard of Mary's journey, came up the hill, out of breath, ready to solve Joachim's problem. He spoke out loudly, "If it's true Mary wants to go visiting, there's a little company from Magdala passing this way tomorrow. Mary could meet them at the fork in the road by noon and ride to safety." But Joachim wanted to know, "What sort of people are they? And how do you know them? Magdala's known for wickedness. I'm not sure...." He offered Jacob a goblet of wine, which Jacob took, answering between gulps, "Oh, but these are good people, fishermen and their wives, a tradesman or two. They'll look after her and yet have a good time."
Jacob knew he was evading the real issue, but it was too late to back away now. "Hannah may be right," he thought. "Did Mary lie?"
The next day, they allowed Mary's brother, Esau, to walk along, leading the donkey, feeling his way through the darkness, keeping to the back streets. Out in the open country, Esau echoed the birds calling from the trees.
Mary could not help thinking, "Perhaps my people, Joseph, too, are anxious for me to leave." But then, there was Joseph waiting for her in the shade of the cypress trees! (End today's story.)
I just finished writing a Christmas letter to friends and family. I was very absorbed in the story, especially the families of Mary and Joseph. Think about it! What would it be like to be told a story like Mary told to her family and to Joseph? How would a family react today in our world? Even so, what must it have felt like for Hannah and Joachim, and most of all, Joseph and even Mary? It is a testamony of love and of faith to believe God would come to this earth. How is it for you?
It is well with me, glad for faith and for love,
Jo INMN
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