Here is the second installment of Mary's Story. Enjoy! The last part will be posted Christmas Eve - one week from today! :)
The next day, Mary walked to Joseph’s shop with trepidation. Would he understand what she had to tell him? He must know, and her news was sure to affect him deeply. She had told her parents the night before, and they had taken the news quite well. It was a shock to them, of course, but they had never known her to lie and they trusted her. They had encouraged her to tell Joseph first thing today. They weren’t sure how he would take the news. Would he cancel their marriage plans, or even have her stoned to death?
Mary stopped at the door to Joseph’s shop and watched as he sanded down the top of a table he had just finished. The table’s surface glowed from the smoothing and polish that Joseph had applied. He must have felt her gaze, because he looked toward the door.
"Mary! Come in and see! I made it for us – for our home. Do you like it?”
Mary stepped into the shop and admired the table, running her hand over the smooth top and admiring the scroll work on the legs.
“It’s beautiful, Joseph. How hard you must have worked. I can just see us sitting down to dinner with our children at this fine table.” Mary turned away as tears filled her eyes. Would they ever get to share a meal at this table?
“Mary, what is wrong?” Joseph was instantly by her side, concern filling his eyes. “has something happened?”
Mary took a deep breath as she prepared to answer. “Yes, something has happened, Joseph. But it is wonderful news, really. If only you understand…”
“Understand what, Mary? What wonderful news would cause you to fill with sadness?”
“Not sadness, Joseph. Just fear. Although, I shouldn’t be afraid, Jehovah is in charge and I am his handmaiden.”
“Mary, please stop speaking in riddles and tell me what has happened.”
“I am with child.”
“What?”
“Yes, Joseph. Let me explain.” As Mary told him of the events of the previous day, Joseph’s eyes filled with amazement, then anger, then sorrow.
“Please, go, Mary. I need to think.”
Mary left the shop in tears. How could she make him understand that what she said was true? She couldn’t, only the LORD could help him understand. When she arrived home, she told her parents of her visit. Her father went to Joseph to try to explain and to intercede on her behalf. When he returned, the news wasn’t good. Joseph was considering terminating the engagement, although in a private manner. At least he wouldn’t have her stoned.
Mary’s father had a suggestion. “I think you should take a trip, Mary. Go see our cousin Elizabeth. A visit to her would be of great comfort to you, I think.”
Mary agreed and preparations were quickly made for the trip. Two days later, she left, without hearing anything else from Joseph.
The trip was long, but finally she reached her destination near Jerusalem. When she entered the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, she called out her greeting. Elizabeth came running with tears of joy.
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
Mary was so grateful! Someone else believed! Someone else knew, without Mary even telling her! Truly the LORD was paving the way for the Messiah! As she was filled with joy, Mary’s heart overflowed with praise.
“My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary enjoyed her visit with Elizabeth. They excitedly prepared for both of their children, making small garments and trying to imagine what their little ones would be like. After three months, Mary received a message to come home as soon as possible. Had Joseph had a change of heart? Would they be married after all?
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