This devotional is about Mary one of many Bible Characters that Carole has shared over the months and we hope you enjoy it.
I am Mary, an ordinary girl with hopes and dreams for the future. Expectation for a long and happy marriage, babies, growing into children, whom I could nurture and love. My childish mind wandered of into flowers and dancing, my whole life planned into a marriage celebration and a future with Joseph.
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My thoughts were so clearly consumed with wedding plans, that it took me a few minutes to become aware of the presence of the angel Gabriel. I bowed my head in reverence, sensing that this was no ordinary meeting but a messenger sent from God.
I listened intently to his words, words which shocked me to the core of my heart. I knew very little of worldly things, from a young child I had been sheltered and protected. The angel told me that I was to become the mother of God’s Son.
The prophets had forecast this event and I had never doubted the truth of it; but I never imagined that I would be instrumental, in its accomplishment. I did however accept what Gabriel told me, incredible though it seemed. But I had to ask, “How can this be, I am a virgin?”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy and he will be called, the Son of God”. Luke. 1: 35
“I am the Lord’s servant, I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true”. Luke 1: 38
I was engaged to Joseph, a kind man and I was excited about my marriage, but the angels revelation gave me a dreadful problem. How would I explain all this to Joseph? How would he take it? I knew in my heart that regardless of his reaction, I would if necessary, bring the baby up alone. I would care for God’s Son. My heart felt adamant in this.
I could tell that Joseph was hugely shocked on discovering that I was pregnant. He automatically assumed that I had been indiscreet with another. What else could he think? Being the honourable man that he was, he quietly digested what I told him.
Despite the shame of our predicament, Joseph chose to protect me. He agreed to marry me and then later, he would quietly divorce me without fuss, thereby saving me from being stoned, a just punishment for infidelity.
During the night, the angel Gabriel, appeared to Joseph in a dream.
The next morning, Joseph rushed to my side, I gazed at him in awe. Gone was the heavy sadness that I had witnessed the day before, when he heard the news about my pregnancy. His eyes shone, the gentle smile was radiant. “It will be alright Mary, God has sent a messenger to tell me not to be afraid; we WILL be married, it will be in name only until after the birth of the baby.”
My heart sang! How faithful God was, my fear disappeared. I gave a silent prayer to God.
It had been decreed that a census was to take place. We had to go back to our place of birth in order to be counted. It meant a long journey on foot over rough terrain. By now I was very large as the baby grew. Joseph had purchased a donkey, for me to travel on, which helped to ease my discomfort.
Our journey took us via Samaria and Jerusalem and on to Bethlehem. Many others were heading towards Jerusalem, so the beginning of our journey was not undertaken alone. The nights were cold and dark but the patient beast plodded on without complaint, despite the burden of carrying me.
Instinct told me that my time to give birth was getting closer. The pains of labour had begun, I tried to hide my pain from Joseph, but he was sensitive to the impending birth. “We are almost there Mary, just a little further.” The journey had taken more time than we had anticipated and we were tired and hungry. The cold was acute at night. Bethlehem’s lights twinkled in the distance, in welcome, even though the narrow streets were crowded with weary travellers.
I lost count of the number of places Joseph tried to find shelter for us. The answer was always the same – “No room”. The town was overflowing with travellers arriving because of the census, yet Joseph tried so hard to be encouraging. By now I was bent double in agony, clutching my stomach with pain racked spasms. I prayed that God would find us somewhere.
The man answering Joseph’s knock looked beyond him to the pathetic picture I made. Just as we thought he was about to decline our request, he uttered the most welcome words. “We have a stable, it’s got the animals in but it’s dry and I will put some clean hay down.”
I silently looked up to heaven, “Thank you”.
Urgently now, Joseph helped me down from the faithful beast and he led me gently inside out of the biting cold. The animals seemed to be waiting, their munching stopped and their bright, expectant eyes focussed on us in welcome.
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I lay down removing my outer garments. Joseph stroked my brow and rubbed my back. I tried not to scare the animals by my screams of pain. I was so scared. The innkeeper, true to his word, had supplied more sweet smelling hay and then lanterns to combat the darkness. His wife brought us water and some clean rags.
The intensity of my labour increased. My body writhed and tensed as the pain became unbearable. Joseph was praying; the baby had started to come. Joseph could see the babies head. Suddenly an overwhelming peace filled me.
There, in Joseph’s arms, was the most beautiful, plump, brown-eyed, wriggling, armful of joy, that I had ever seen in my entire life. Carefully, Joseph washed the tiny baby. My exhaustion held me still as I savoured this moment. Here was ‘God’s own Son;’ born in such humble surroundings.
The scene was both vivid and powerful. I etched it on my mind, in order to remember, to make sense of it later. I cradled my son as I looked in wonder at his face. There was no doubt in my mind that I would love, cherish and protect him. He had come here to achieve something; some plan that God had.
I fell to my knees as I thanked God, for the privilege of being chosen, to be part of that plan. Gazing down gently, I looked into the deep clear brown eyes of my newly born son, Jesus. The saviour of the world! He truly would be The Saviour of the World!!
Carole Crossley (Devotional Readings)
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