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http://www.churchatkirkburn.org.uk/page 125.html Mary’s story - Audrey Baxter 1 of 1 Dec ‘07 12/11/08
MARY B.C.
DEC 2007
Mary. Mother of Jesus, must have had parents and grandparents. Letting my mind wander I pictured how news of her baby would have been received by her Grandmother. Might this have been her story:=
Mary. your grandmother is here”. Mary’s mother led an old woman into the room and helped her to settle into a chair. The grandmother spoke “Come, Mary, isn’t there something you ought to be telling me? Sit down, child”. Then with a flick of her hand she dismissed her daughter from the room. Mary took her place at the feet of the grandmother and raised her brown eyes until she looked into those of the old lady. At once the older woman was struck by the serene loveliness of this innocent young girl, her olive skin glowing with health and youthfulness. “Mary”, a stern voice penetrated the girl’s thoughts, and she was then all attention. “Your mother tells me you are with child - is this so?” Lowering her lashes Mary nodded, slowly. “Could you not have waited - I gather you are seeing Joseph at the carpenter’s shop and plan to marry him? Have you thought what this doing to your mother , she is devastated that you should bring such shame to us all”. With one hand on her heart she paused in her flow of outrage, panting with the strain. Mary continued to gaze straight ahead, her thoughts far away. “Well”, the other went on. “Have you nothing to say” Mary spoke softly. “Granny dear, Joseph is not the father of this child”. Her grandmother drew a sharp breath. “This situation gets worse - what has become of you, have you no shame?”
Mary reached out to touch a gnarled old hand, grasping it with her own firm young one. She patted it comfortingly and said, “My baby has been sent by God. He is the long expected Messiah” “Tell me no more” an indignant grandmother pushed Mary’s hand away roughly and rose to her feet. “I have heard many excuses in my lifetime b u never anything like this”.
“Wait a moment, granny” Mary sprang to her feet and followed her to the door” You MUST listen to what I have to tell you.” Something in the girl’s eager voice made the old woman pause and turn to look at Mary. In so doing she was again struck by the girl’s tranquil expression.
Mary spoke quite firmly and without a hint of concern. “My baby has been sent by God” she
reiterated. “An angel just appeared” She raised both arms to her shoulder level and the folds of her garment framed her young body making an interpretation of an angel. “He told me that he was Gabriel and that I had been chosen by God to bear his Son and his name will be Jesus”
This was too much for the old woman, she shook her head in disbelief, telling herself that Mary must have a troubled mind and she would speak to her daughter about it. She ventured more reasoning. “Perhaps you have been dreaming, women in your condition are said to dream vividly on occasions. All this added to the news we have of your cousin Elizabeth, also with child. At her age anything could happen. She’ll be an old woman before the child can be reared”. Mary smiled and spoke “Elizabeth’s child also is special” The grandmother replied “every child is special, Mary - they are the innocent ones” and with shoulders hunched adjusted her garb to shield her from the relentless sun, and moved across the dusty road to her own home. Then she turned to look back at Mary. She raised an arm and with her finger pointed firmly in Mary’s direction told her “Mark my words, nothing good will come of this.”
Mary, framed in the doorway, was caught in a ray of brilliant sunlight. She waved her hand in farewell; and smiled................
Mary. your grandmother is here”. Mary’s mother led an old woman into the room and helped her to settle into a chair. The grandmother spoke “Come, Mary, isn’t there something you ought to be telling me? Sit down, child”. Then with a flick of her hand she dismissed her daughter from the room. Mary took her place at the feet of the grandmother and raised her brown eyes until she looked into those of the old lady. At once the older woman was struck by the serene loveliness of this innocent young girl, her olive skin glowing with health and youthfulness. “Mary”, a stern voice penetrated the girl’s thoughts, and she was then all attention. “Your mother tells me you are with child -
“Wait a moment, granny” Mary sprang to her feet and followed her to the door” You MUST listen to what I have to tell you.” Something in the girl’s eager voice made the old woman pause and turn to look at Mary. In so doing she was again struck by the girl’s tranquil expression.
Mary spoke quite firmly and without a hint of concern. “My baby has been sent by God” she
reiterated. “An angel just appeared” She raised both arms to her shoulder level and the folds of her garment framed her young body making an interpretation of an angel. “He told me that he was Gabriel and that I had been chosen by God to bear his Son and his name will be Jesus”
This was too much for the old woman, she shook her head in disbelief, telling herself that Mary must have a troubled mind and she would speak to her daughter about it. She ventured more reasoning. “Perhaps you have been dreaming, women in your condition are said to dream vividly on occasions. All this added to the news we have of your cousin Elizabeth, also with child. At her age anything could happen. She’ll be an old woman before the child can be reared”. Mary smiled and spoke “Elizabeth’s child also is special” The grandmother replied “every child is special, Mary -
Mary, framed in the doorway, was caught in a ray of brilliant sunlight. She waved her hand in farewell; and smiled................