Mary's Story: Part One

Merry Christmas from me! The following post and the next two posts are all part of a story that I wrote for my Sunday School class last year. I wanted to share it with you, as my Christmas gift. We don't know much about the emotions of Mary although the Bible does share some with us. We also don't know much about the events of the lives of those that had a part in the Birth of Christ. What follows is my idea of how these events might have taken place, and how Mary felt in reaction to those events. I hope you enjoy it!

Mary hurried home after her morning trip to the well. The sun was well on it’s way on its daily trip across the Galilean sky. She had spent too much time chatting with Hannah, and Mother would need the water. But, oh, she had had so much to discuss with Hannah. So much could happen in a day! To think that she was engaged to Joseph! He was so handsome, dark hair and deep brown eyes, and his manner was so kind and gentle. To think that he would desire her as a wife! Hannah had been surprised, but of course she knew of Mary’s desire to be wed, now that she was a woman. Hannah knew of Mary’s admiration for the young carpenter, and to think that Mary’s fondest desire was to come true!

Mary tripped a little in her rush. The water sloshed about in her pitcher, and a little spilled out leaving dark spots in the dust on her sandaled feet. Mary was quick to regain her footing and continue on home.

“There was much to discuss at the well today, Mary?” Mother smiled as she rescued the pitcher from Mary’s excited hands. Mary nodded and smiled. Mother remembered how it was to be betrothed to the one she had admired. Mother also remembered the chatter that went on among the young women at the well in Nazareth.

“I’m sorry I took so long, Mother. Hannah had many questions.”

“She always was a curious one, just like her mother. My sister drove our mother to distraction with her questions as we grew up.”

Mary reflected on the events of the last evening as she continued to help her mother with the meal preparations. She had been so surprised when Joseph showed up at their door before the evening meal. She almost forgot to invite him in, and when she did remember the words were hard in coming. One look into those eyes and all words took wing. She had been even more shocked when he asked to speak with her father. Although custom usually dictated that the two fathers arranged the marriages between a son and daughter, Joseph had come on his own behalf, his father having died when he was young. Besides, he was a man on his own and could speak for himself. He was quite capable of providing for a bride. His carpentry work was in high demand all around Galilee. And to think that he would choose her for a wife!!

Time passed as Mary and her family began the preparations for the coming marriage. Her garments had to be sewn and the items gathered for her dowry – fine linen and gold coins. Her father was a successful shepherd, but she and Joseph would have little need for sheep, or room to care for them.

Mary sang softly to herself as she cared for the lambs of her father’s flock. She would miss these young ones. They were her favorite job, always so much fun to watch and often they allowed her to cuddle them. Their antics never failed to amuse her as the frolicked around. A noise behind her startled her from her amusement and she turned. Standing behind her was a man, or was he? His face seemed to glow from within and his garments were unsoiled by the dust at his feet. Her breath caught in her throat. She felt afraid, but did not feel as though he would harm her.

“Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”[1]

Mary trembled at his words. What kind of greeting was that? This man was obviously not from Galilee. He spoke as no one she had ever known. And why would he say she was highly favored among all women, she was just a young woman of Galilee. This person’s words were quite troubling indeed.

“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Mary was shocked at his words! How could this thing happen? She was not yet married!

“How can this thing happen to me? I am a virgin.”

“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

“I am here, a servant of the Lord. Let it happen to me just as you have said.”

The man turned and was gone. A warmth filled Mary’s stomach and she knew. To think that she was the chosen one for this honor. Israel had been waiting for the Messiah for four hundred years, to think that now was the time, and she was the woman. And from Galilee. But… OH… HOW was she to explain this to Joseph?

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[1] From the King James Version: www.crosswalk.com

Graphics courtesy of Graphics By Irene

Story copyright Charity M. December 2006. The author kindly requests that you seek her permission before using this story in any form. Thank you.