The Beginning of a mother's odessy

Siripathy JAYAMAHA

My name is Mary. My mother ia Anna and my father is Joachim. We belong to a respectable middle class Jewish family. We lived in Nazareth. Being the only child, I was brought up with lots of affection and care. I was given a formal education and we lived a happy and contented life in the fear of the Lord.

As it was the custom those days, girls were given in marriage when quite young and so, my parents sought a suitable partner for me.

Joseph was a well to do carpenter. He was tall and handsome and was a decendent of King David. He was held in high esteem in the community. It was Joseph who was to be my husband. We liked each other very much and my mother was kept busy making all sorts of sweet meats when Joseph visited us.

One night I had a dream. No, it was not a dream. A stranger in shining clothes was by my side. I was terribly afraid. "Do not be afraid" he said "I bring you a message from God". He went on to say that the Lord was going to make me the mother of His Son. That he should be called Jesus or the anointed one. He would be the son of the Highest and would reign a kingdom which has no end. I was frightened and told him as to how this could be possible for I had not even been married to Joseph. "Nothing is impossible with God" said Gabriel - for that was the angel's name, and he said that the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow me. I simply bowed my head and said "Be it done to me according to your word". I little realised as to how many times I would have to say those same words in the next two score years to come. I was also told that my cousin Elizabeth was six months with child. Now Elizabeth was old and so was her husband Zaccharias. I knew that she was unable to have children but I just bowed my head acknowledging the glory of God.

I woke up my mother and told her about the apparition. She smiled pulled me to her breast, stroked my head and "we must tell Joseph", she said.

That evening when I saw Joseph coming to our house my mind was in turmoil. Joseph saw my worried look, he took my hand and whispered. "Yes I know Mary. He who brought the message to you also visited me". He smiled and told me what the angel had told him. "So" he squeezed my hand "so, let us prepare for the birth of the Holy One, our Jesus". I ran to my mother and told her of what Joseph had told me. She came along with me and greeted Joseph with an embrace. Later, Joseph told me that it was the best meal my mother had prepared for him so far.

With my mother's and Joseph's permission, I set out to see my cousin Elizabeth who lived in Judea. Elizabeth saw me and hurried towards me with extended arms. Close behind her, came Zaccharias. Elizabeth looked at me and said. "How is it that the mother of my Lord should visit me, for the moment I saw you, the baby in my womb leaped up with joy. At that moment I uttered some magnificent words. These words were about my baby and the great blessing God had bestowed on me. Now, I wander as to how such wonderful words with so much of meaning should ever have been spoken by a simple Jewish girl. I now realized that I had been given the most wondrous of gifts that could ever be given to a woman. That is to bring forth the Son of God. Elizabeth told me that Zacharias had been struck dumb ever since he came out from the inner temple.

The days for the birth of my baby was approaching. Lots of excitement in the house. My mother was busy preparing clothes for me and her grandson. Oh! she was so happy. Joseph was busy cleaning the garden and would on many many occasions look at me as if to ask me "when?", To Joseph, it was a Divine message about to be made fruit. Sometimes, I managed to hide a smile at seeing my Mother and Joseph talking in whispers, stealing glances of concern at me.

It was then that Caesar's degree was announced: a census. We had to leave Nazareth. We had to go to Bethlehem because Joseph, as head of our family had to be at his birth place. I could see the sadness and worry in my mother's face. Joseph had to make all the arrangements for the journey. Imagine the thoughts of my mother as she packed our clothes. I could see her cuddling a tiny garment with tears in her eyes, "Will I be able to see my little grandson?" I think she consoled herself when she recalled the past Divine incidents. Joseph had a healthy donkey prepared. Food for the two of us and for the animal was carefully packed. It was a tearful parting. I could see mother waving till we were covered by the wall. Bethlehem was bristling with activity. We were too tired to notice people. We had to find a place to stay for the night.

To be continued next week