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Okay, so who wants to hear about my first experience with bringing in firewood after a two-foot snowfall, and who’d rather learn more about those who were Jesus’ earthly parents? Yeah, I thought as much: Jesus rates over me, and that’s how it should be. Perhaps I’ll speak of this week’s adventures another time….
Over many years of reading these delightful stories, pictures have formed in my mind, and that’s what I want to share with you today. As with last week’s post, remember these are “the gospel according to Margret.” In other words, if it’s not quite the way you see it, that’s okay….
Joseph was a carpenter, making his living in the town of Nazareth. One day, his fiancée Mary told him of her immediate extended visit with her cousin Elizabeth, the so-called “barren woman.” Joseph knew this would be a wonderful trip for her because she was enthralled by anything having to do with a visitation from God. So, he kissed her good-bye and told her he’d look forward to seeing her when she returned home. What Joseph didn’t know was that Mary’s trip was encouraged by someone else, during her own divine visitation.
“ ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was” (Luke 1:28-56, New King James). Mary looked up to find a stranger in her room, right next to the place where she kneeled, praying to God. Who was he? He didn’t look like anyone in town. He seemed familiar in a different sort of way, as though she should know him in her heart. She sensed she could trust him. Still, what in the world was he talking about? “Highly favored? … Blessed are you among women?” Surely he must have meant it respectfully, not mocking her. How could he know that the girls and women in town avoided her? They couldn’t understand that God was more important to her than anything else, more than clothing or even gossiping at the well.
Quickly Mary’s mind flashed back over the years. The highlights varied little: going to the synagogue with her father every week, listening to the scrolls being read and interpreted every Sabbath. She was so anxious for the things of God that often there would be marks on her face from where she’d pressed against the barrier separating the women from the men, willing herself to get as close as possible to the sacred word. Then there were the visitors coming to see her father and discussing the prophecies. Oh, the questions burning within her! Some of the righteous leaders were looking for the Messiah and she too would wonder when—and how— he’d arrive. Because she was free to ask questions here, in the home of her father, these men also viewed her as odd. It seemed everyone made comments about her because she was so different from most giggly young women. No wonder she was troubled at Gabriel’s greeting. “Highly favored?” By whom?
But then she remembered what followed, “…The Lord is with you….” She recalled stories she’d heard of angelic visitors in past generations. They were always encouraging, always peaceful. They didn’t want people to be frightened of them, and they always had a message for the person they came to see. What message would this angel (for he surely must be an angel) have to give?
Forcing her mind back to the present and away from her memories, she once again gave her attention to the angel. Smiling, he continued, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
With a gasp, Mary realized the angel was talking about the Messiah! Her fondest desire (to see Him) would be granted, although much differently than she anticipated: she would not just see the Messiah, she would be His mother! But wait—how was that possible? Turning to the angel, Mary voiced her concerns, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin.” The answer God’s messenger gave her almost made her heart burst with joy. The faith that had been alive within her for so long exploded, filling her to the point where she could almost feel it in her fingers and toes. “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you…so the baby born of you will be utterly holy—the Son of God. Furthermore, six months ago your Aunt Elizabeth—‘the barren one’ they called her—became pregnant in her old age! For every promise from God shall surely come true.”
Wow! Mary could hardly wait to see Elizabeth. Mary knew that here was someone who understood her hunger for the things of God. Together they could talk of all the Lord had in store for them. With great difficulty, Mary retained her composure long enough to respond to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true.” The story says, “and then the angel disappeared”, but Mary hardly noticed. For once her mind was on clothes as she planned what to take with her for her trip. It also tells us she remained with Elizabeth for three months, until Jesus’ second cousin John was born.
When Mary returned home from her long trip, wanting to share every bit of the journey with him, Joseph also learned that his beloved was pregnant. Pregnant! Shocked, horrified, unable to grasp much less believe what she said about an angel telling her she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, his immediate desire was to end the engagement. But that night, just as so often happened to his ancestor (the son of Jacob who bore the same name), Joseph had a dream and, as all dreamers do, he knew which visions of the night were his own and which were of divine origin. If he needed any confirmation, he had only to remember what Mary said about Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah when he doubted. How would Joseph be able to communicate with his customers if he couldn’t speak for months at a time? And how would he then provide for this precious woman he loved so much? Quick to act upon the dream, and despite all the advice from “well meaning” townspeople who did not believe her story, Joseph took Mary as his wife and stuck by her, defending her against these critics.
Just before the baby was to be born, everyone (including Joseph and Mary) received news that they must travel from their home town to the town of their ancestors, for them a distance of nearly 100 miles. Knowing the cost of the journey as well as the taxes once they arrived, Joseph packed his tools, prepared to find work until such a time as they could return home.
Life in their new home town was good, with Joseph’s carpentry skills in demand. Soon they would be able to return home. Then, one day wise men from a far away land came to worship this wonderful son of Mary’s and offer gifts fit for royalty and that night Joseph had another dream, telling him to escape to Egypt because Herod felt threatened. So, they traveled south, many more miles from their original home, and while they journeyed Joseph helped his tender-hearted wife grieve for all the mothers who would lose their children because an insane king wanted to kill her son.
Finally Herod, the man who slaughtered all those babies, died and they were given permission to return home. As they settled in Nazareth, Joseph continued to take his responsibility for Jesus very seriously, teaching Him to be obedient not only to them as parents but also to the ways of their faith. He also explained the principles of good carpentry and taught Him the importance of excellence in all things. Thus did our Lord grow up; loved and schooled by those who would help mold him into the Man God had called Him to be.
Next week we get to visit with shepherds and listen to angels in one of the few times when their visits are clearly seen and heard. Until then, and ever after, all of Heaven’s best to you and yours.
