The Story part 2, Remember

10 Dec

The Story part 2, Remember

‘Remember’

The voice was loud enough to make him look round, but there was no one there.

‘Remember her before you knew her’

He lent back against the wall of the workshop and shut his eyes. It was the market on a morning before shabbat, a group of young women laughing and talking as they bought dates and a small crowd gathered joining in the fun. He could feel the sun on his back as he watched them, spices and the smell of cooking lamb floating past him. Her yellow mitpahat, slipped back and her hair shimmered in the sun. It was a good day.

‘Remember your betrothal’

He’d put his life into working his wood and shaping his stones and had managed to avoid marriage for a long time. His parents finally told him it was enough and they found a wife for him. That morning he stepped out into the small courtyard of his parents house for his betrothing. He had no idea what the next few months would bring.

‘Remember what I said to her’

‘You have found favour with God. You will conceive, give birth to a son, of the line of David, and you will call him Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit will fall on you. The child will be holy and called the son of God.’ Mary’s response - ‘I am the servant of God’

‘Remember’

When Mary told him what had happened he’d been confused and devastated. He remembered walking for hours, trying to understand what had happened. Terrified of what might happen to her, and honestly to his income and repitation, if it got out she was pregnant before they married. Finally, exhausted, he arrived back at the workshop, decided to break off the engagement quietly, and fell asleep.

He dreamt an angel came to him and said ‘Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The child she is carrying was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and will save his people. She will have a son and you will call him Jesus. This is to fulfil Gods prophesy through Isaiah’.

Elohim has spoken.

When he woke up he started making plans for the journey.