wouldn’t make this up. I love Joseph, and I love my family. I do not wish to hurt anyone.”
He walked up to her and hugged her. “I sincerely hope so.”
Abby followed her parents into the kitchen. What was going on in her happy family? Had Mary just made it fall apart?
“She’s with child, Jehoram. She has shamed herself and our family! I would never have thought that her and Joseph ….” Mother was weeping into her hands.
Father hugged her from behind. “Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.”
“It’s too fanciful. She’s so troubled by her pregnancy that her mind is playing tricks on her. I know Mary. She’s always talked strangely of spiritual things.”
“She has an enquiring mind. Maybe that’s why God has chosen her for something. I don’t understand what though.”
“I’ll have to see the angel myself to believe it, Jehoram.”
“Now, we don’t know if she’s pregnant yet. Let’s keep this quiet still.”
“Okay.” She continued to sob quietly as she unpacked the purchases.
Abby prepared the supper, her heart torn. She believed Mary, but her mother’s doubts began to sink into her heart. Maybe Mary was hiding something. She just couldn’t imagine her sister and the respectable Joseph doing something so shameful though. What would happen if anyone found out? Would they stone them? She shivered as she mixed the meat and vegetables in the clay pot.
Mary decided to keep quiet about her angelic visitation. Her mother’s sullenness and anger towards her since she’d told them had hurt deeply. She somehow couldn’t speak to Joseph. If he didn’t believe her, what would he think? It would be worse. He would think that she had had an affair with another man. That would break his heart! He may break the betrothal. Then she would lose the very man that she had fallen in love with, the man she was so thrilled would be her husband in just over five months. Maybe he would understand. He did seem to feel the same way about God that she did. But what if he didn’t? She suspected that she was pregnant because she’d missed two periods. It had been two months since the angel had appeared to her. The thought of having a special child thrilled her in her quiet moments. She felt awed that God had chosen her. Why had God chosen a poor woman like her without any special background or knowledge of the law? Maybe He wanted someone who was dependent on Him every step of the way. She certainly was. While she prepared lunch to take to her father at his new work, she remembered what the angel had said about her cousin, Elizabeth. She wanted to speak to someone else who had been touched by God’s miracle-working power. Elizabeth would surely understand what had happened to her.
Her mother appeared in the kitchen, looking flustered. “Have you seen Joseph lately, Mary?”
“No. He’s been very busy running the business by himself. I didn’t want to disturb him.”
“You’re avoiding him. Maybe we should bring the wedding forward if you are with child. Are you sure you’re with child?”
“It’s been two cycles, Mama. It’s not Joseph’s child. How shall I explain it to him? If you don’t believe me, he won’t either.”
“How could you do that to the man you are betrothed to?”
“Mama, you think that I would do that? The child is from the Holy Spirit.”
“I don’t know.” Her mother shook her head and sniffled. “I don’t know what to think. I’m just so disappointed. You had a perfect life set before you with Joseph. Things were really looking up for our family.”
“So all you care about is what people think of us?”
“No, Mary. I care that you have sinned. You have broken the law severely. You know what the punishment is. And you have destroyed all prospects of a happy marriage.”
“I have not sinned, Mother.”
“Now you are deceived.”
“I shall leave now. Father must be hungry.” Mary stomped out the house. If the Holy Spirit was upon her, why was she so angry and so unhappy? Why couldn’t her mother understand? Why hadn’t God opened her mother’s eyes to the truth? Maybe she’d dreamt the angel’s appearance.
“No!” she exclaimed out loud. She knew it was true. Something marvellous had happened to her. She just had to hold onto the angel’s words that she was favoured by God, and that He was with her. He would help her.
She found the mansion that her father was working at and knocked on the gate. Her father came to the gate, covered in sand and leaves, but his face was rosy with work and purpose. It was good to see him happy again. He looked at her and his face fell. Her heart pinched with pain. Was she causing her father sadness now?
“Father, I brought your lunch today. Abby is assisting Joanna with her dresses and couldn’t make it. Are you alright?”
“I worry about you, Mary. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Abba. I’m well.”
“You need to speak to Joseph. He wishes to talk to you. We haven’t told him what you told us.”
“I cannot see Joseph yet.”
Her father’s eyes grew dark. Did he not trust her either now?
“I must hurry before my lunch is over.” He took the lunch and turned away.
“Bye, Abba.” Mary walked home with a heavy heart. She didn’t know what to say to Joseph. She needed God to give her the words, and she still didn’t have them. She needed to get away. She couldn’t face the feelings her parents were giving her. She decided to stop by Joanna’s house to see how Abby was doing. Joanna was marrying in four months, and Abby was making her dress and her mother’s dress. She walked into Joanna’s living room, and the two girls looked up from their work. The expressions on their faces made her feel uncomfortable.
“What’s wrong Abby?”
“Nothing, Mary. Why are you here?”
“I just came to see how you’re doing. How are you Joanna?”
“I’m fine, Mary.” Her voice was cold
“May I speak to you alone, Abby?”
“Yes.” She didn’t sound too happy.
Mary needed to get to the bottom of this. They walked outside and stood under a tree.
“What have you told Joanna about me?”
Abby looked away. “She asked about you and Joseph. Joanna used to love Joseph until Ben spoke for her.”
“I never knew that.”
“There are stories going around town already that you and Joseph are calling off the wedding.”
“What?”
“Mary, you need to speak to him. This vision of yours is making you crazy.”
“I cannot talk to him yet. I need strength from God.”
“Mary, please don’t do this. What man is going to want you if Joseph breaks it with you?”
Mary’s face paled. She’d never thought that. No, God’s will had to be done. God promised He would be with her. He will help her through this.
“Abigail, don’t you understand what God has done for me? He’s chosen me to bear a son who will be great. It’s a privilege. I cannot go against God. He will take care of me. It’s a miracle. I couldn’t understand it at first, but then he said to me that Elizabeth is with child too.”
“Cousin Elizabeth? She’s so old now Mary. How can you be so sure?”
A new idea began to form in Mary’s mind. It solidified in one glorious moment.
“I shall go to her.”
“What? She lives near Bethlehem.”
“Joseph mentioned to Abba that his father was traveling to Bethlehem in two days. Maybe I may travel with his father.”
“Are you out of your mind? You cannot go by yourself.”
“I have to Abby – I have no choice. I need to hear from God. Mama and Abba have turned against me.”
“Please don’t tear this family apart.” Abby ran back into the house.
Mary’s heart sank. What was God doing? Just when their family was happy again, now they were all turning against her. She had to go to Elizabe
th. Surely she would understand.
Mary tried to calm the sinking feeling in her heart as she travelled on the camel from Nain with her future father-in-law. Joseph had been very troubled at her sudden desire to visit her cousin and was wondering if she was wishing to call off the wedding.
“No, Joseph. Of course not. I love you with all my heart. It’s just something I have to do. I shall explain it to you later.”
“I’ve hardly seen you the last two months. Are you avoiding me?”
“No.” She took his hand, tears in her eyes. “Just remember, whatever happens, I will always love you.” She had to walk away before he saw the fear in her eyes. She knew that she’d left him with questions and deep concerns. He’d been very careful to make sure she was provided for for her journey, but he couldn’t look her in the eye as they parted. She’d hurt him and she hadn’t even told him yet.
Jacob was a serious, quiet man who hardly spoke on the journey except to check that she was faring well. She didn’t want to complain although her back ached and her throat was parched. She waited until they rested and then would lie down for a few moments or walk around. Was it the pregnancy that was making her feel queasy at times? Or maybe it was the bumpy road. She tried not to think of her mother’s tears and father’s quiet anger as she’d told them of her journey, but the thoughts troubled her with every turn in the road. When they at last reached Bethlehem she parted from Jacob, thanking him profusely for helping her. She waited at the gate of Bethlehem for Zechariah, having sent a message ahead that she was coming for a visit. After she had been waiting for only a short