Many years ago, a teenage girl awoke early one spring morning, feeling terribly nauseated and unable to move far without vomiting. She called out for her mother, "Mom, I don't feel well this morning. I don't think I can go to school." The family lived in a small rural town with no doctor. They received medical care from a physician who traveled the countryside visiting small villages, stopping long enough to attend to the medical needs of the community while enjoying the native hospitality which would normally include decent meals, wine and a bed. The mother replied, "The doctor will not be here until next week and you cannot miss that much school. So let's see what we can do to make you feel a little better." The mother concerned that her daughter may be experiencing the ill effects just prior to the monthly onset of menstruation gave her some tea laced with honey and lemon. The young girl sipped the tea which decreased the nausea enough to allow her to attend school.
Each morning the nausea increased, the tea helped less and the girl, Mary, anticipated the day the doctor would finally visit their village. Tuesday finally arrived and the girl's family welcomed the physician, who was accompanied by his young son, into their home during his short stay. The family shared a quick meal of bread and some cheese before the doctor commenced the examination. The teenager, still nauseated and with little appetite, played with the doctor's toddler son, Luke, while the rest ate as she thought, "One day I would love a child like this of my own."
As her mother cleared the table, and her father returned to work, the doctor began his examination. He ran his fingers carefully over the glands behind the girl's ears and prodded her abdomen and back while he asked several questions, then finally announced with a slight look of disapproval, "My dear, you are not sick. You are pregnant." Mary twisted her face, bewildered, and claimed, "How can that be? I've never been with a man....physically.. I mean, sir." The doctor showing little emotion and not amused by her comments uttered, "That's simply impossible dear. You are not being truthful. My work here is finished for now. I disapprove of your behavior but I will return next month to check on you."
Mary felt the continued bewilderment. She knew deep in her heart that she had remained a virgin. She had only been on a few dates in her entire life and only as a result of her mother's matchmaking, all with the same man, Joseph, a close family friend and co-worker of her father. They had never shared more than a hug and a meal. Joseph, a bit older and claiming not to be a cradle robber, pledged, "Mary, you are a beautiful young woman. I will marry you one day once you are fully grown." How can this be? Who will believe her?
Mary's parents disowned her. She felt hostility any time she entered the family home. Only two people showed any compassion at all. First, the man who she thought would be the most angry, Joseph, the good looking, strong, older carpenter acted tenderly toward her and although he believed that she had been impregnated by another, he honored his earlier pledge, half made in jest, and vowed to still marry the girl and treat her child as his own. Additionally her aunt Elizabeth showed mercy toward her and somehow confirmed the dream that Mary had months earlier in which she felt that God had indicated to her that there would be something special and unique about her child.
Months later, having nowhere else to turn, Mary embarked on a three day journey with her fiancee to the town of his ancestors so that Joseph could enroll in a census to allow the emperor an opportunity to assess taxes fairly. In her third trimester, Mary contemplated not going but could not bear the thought of her father's constant condescension without having Joseph nearby to protect her. Not a wealthy man, Joseph owned only one animal, a small donkey that he allowed Mary to ride upon while he spent most of the three day journey on foot.
They arrived in Bethlehem from Nazareth late at night, and the small town and ancestral home of King David overflowed with activity. Joseph had been unable to make reservations and all of the hotels were now full for the night. A farmer showed pity for the young couple and allowed them to rest in his barn for the night before continuing to the courthouse in the morning to enroll in the census. As she dismounted the donkey, looking forward to a few hours sleep, Mary went into labor. Joseph searched for a doctor but they were all busy and told him they would assist as soon as morning arrived. With no medical assistance, Joseph with the help of a couple of farmhands, delivered the baby, cleaned him in a small metal trough, and placed him upon a pile of hay and some blankets in a manger.
A star shining brighter than anything in the sky appeared instantly and illuminated the entire farm. Shepherds tending their flocks appeared to see what was causing the commotion and immediately began to show adoration for Mary's young baby, Jesus, or Yeshua in their native Aramaic.
Weeks later, Mary still too weak and the baby too fragile to make the return journey to Nazareth, Joseph found enough side work to enable the couple to rent a small house. In complete astonishment Mary witnessed a multitude of visitors including some extremely intelligent astronomers from the east who claimed her baby fulfilled centuries of prophecy.
Eventually the couple returned to Nazareth and the routine of country living. The couple eventually married and had many more children. Joseph shared his love of construction with his sons so fortunately they were able to support the family after his untimely death when Jesus was still a teenager. The young boy showed incredible wisdom, beyond that of the rabbis at the temple, and displayed humility beyond anything that Mary had ever witnessed.
Jesus eventually grew into a fine young man and teacher, hung out with a group of twelve very close friends, who traveled by foot from town to town teaching the villagers about a very new type of kingdom. Mary watched her son become as popular as a rock star as he earned way more respect than any of the regions leaders or elders. As a result they persecuted him and turned his people against him. Claiming to be the son of God, they tried him for blasphemy and executed him by nailing him to a tree and Mary watched as her son struggled to gasp for his last breath.
They buried him in a tomb donated by a rich follower and three days later he rose from the dead. He spent some time with his friends then ascended into heaven. He proceeded to change the lives of millions of people and the world forever. We even track time according to his earthly life.
Mary.........did you know?
