A knock is heard at the door. Joseph opens it revealing a man giving him an accusatory look.

“Well, don’t hide your feelings, Benjamin. Want to come in?”

Benjamin barges in, brushing past Joseph, and then turns. “What were you thinking?”

“You mean about whether to let you in or just shut the door in your face?”

“Now is not the time to be funny, Joseph. We have been friends for what, basically, our entire lives, right? So, as a close and best friend, I must tell you that you are committing suicide.”

“Suicide? Wow. Well, that’s a little extreme.”

“No. No, it isn’t. You’re going to have the whole town reject you. This is a small town, Joseph. You won’t get any business here. You must at least divorce her. I know you won’t go through with your right to have her stoned to death. But you’ve got to consider your reputation. Right now, the gossip is that she was forced by a Roman soldier on her way to see her cousin Elizabeth. But if you go through with this, they’ll accuse you of the impropriety.”

“Not only can I not have her stoned, I can’t let her be destitute with a child. No one else is going to marry her now. How would she ever survive without any support from a husband?”

“Is that really your concern? Joseph, you must think about your own livelihood. By taking her into your home, you will be admitting that the child is yours—yours before your marriage is legally finalized.” Benjamin shakes his head. “The risk is just too great.”

Joseph places his hands on Benjamin’s shoulders and pushes him down to sit. “Let me tell you what Yahweh told me.”

As Benjamin sits his eyes go wide and his tone sarcastic. “What? Yahweh himself talked to you?”

“Well, it was through one of his angels. I had confronted Mary and told her how disappointed I was in her and that I was so deeply hurt that I even considered exercising my right to cause her demise. But once I looked into her eyes, I knew I couldn’t do that. Her beautiful eyes were one of the first things that attracted me to her. Then, the more I learned about her character, the more I desired to marry her. So, I told her I would divorce her privately. I moped home and just fell into bed, too sorry for myself to do anything else. When I slept, an angel appeared to me.”

“But that was only a dream, Joseph. Just your subconscious trying to make sense of what you had just went through.”

“No, Benjamin, no. This was beyond any dream I have ever experienced before. There was something so real, so vivid about it that went beyond what any dream is capable of. No, this was something else entirely. Words of wisdom directed from Yahweh himself to me.”

“Delusions of grandeur, you mean.”

Joseph chuckled. “Yes, I guess it may sound that way. Look, I don’t know why Yahweh chose me—chose Mary. But Yahweh’s angel said for me not to be afraid to take Mary home as my wife because the baby inside of her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and I am to name him Yashua because he will save his people from their sins.”

“Wait, you’re saying that Mary is going to birth the Messiah?” He waved his hands. “That goes well beyond any delusions of grandeur.”

“Think about it, Benjamin. What did the prophet Isaiah say about his birth. He would be born of a virgin.”

“Well, yes, but . . . here? Here in Nazareth? Why would someone who is to become king be born in Nazareth? What makes the two of you so special?”

“Nothing, Benjamin. Absolutely nothing. I don’t understand it. All I know is what I was told. I either believe it to be true or ignore the most wonderful thing Yahweh has done.”

Benjamin stood and started to pace. “Well, this certainly changes things, but only if everyone believes you.” He shakes his head. “I don’t see many people doing that. They’ll say you’re just using it as an excuse to hide your sin.”

Joseph chuckles. Benjamin gives him a stare.

“Sorry. That just struck me as funny. You’re saying I’m using Yashua to hide my sin when he’s the one who will take away my sin.”

“Oh, don’t start getting philosophical with me, Joseph. You know what I mean. Even if you’re doing the right thing, your reputation will be ruined. Maybe one day everyone here will realize you were right, but that won’t be for many years. You’ll be shunned until then.”

“Well, it’s all in Yahweh’s hands now. I’ve yielded to his will. Mary will come into my home next week for her protection and for everyone to get used to us being together.”

Benjamin put his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “Well, I’ll still be your friend, but don’t count on many others.”

“It’s interesting that everyone believes in a coming Messiah, and everyone believes Isaiah’s prophesy that he will be born of a virgin, but no one believes it when it finally happens.”

“That’s because no one believes it can happen in Nazareth.”

“And why is that, Benjamin? Does one truly believe in a prophecy if one can’t believe it will occur in their lifetime, in their village, in them themselves?”

“I guess Yahweh does work in mysterious ways. And I’ve seen nothing more mysterious than this. That’s for sure.”

Suddenly, a commotion is heard outside. Both Joseph and Benjamin follow the noise and see a Roman officer with a contingent of other soldiers rallying people together.

“Everyone,” the officer announced, “gather around. It has been decreed by Roman Emperor Agustus that everyone will give a census of their birthright. Everyone must be counted in the city of their ancestors to know from which clan you are of.”

“What if we’re from a different district than here?” Someone in the crowd shouted.

“Then I suggest you get you affairs in order quickly and comply. There will be no exceptions to the emperor’s decree.”

With that, one of his men tacked a pamphlet, written in Greek, Latin, Aramaic, and Hebrew to one of the buildings, and they all rode out of town. This left everyone in quite a panic about what to do and how they were going to do it. Many stood around while someone read the words of the pamphlet out loud. There were many groans and a few choice words by a few.

Benjamin looked at Joseph with raised eyebrows. “See, your decision has just increased your hardship.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I know you’re a descendant of King David because you have teased me forever saying I’m just a peasant.”

Joseph pushed Benjamin’s shoulder giving a laugh. “Indeed, you are, my friend.”

“Yes, but us peasants can register here. You now have a pregnant wife to take to Bethlehem. That’s a little over 90 miles travel over rocky and mountainous terrain.”

“Hmm. That’s true. At least I have a cousin there with whom I can stay.”

“Maybe.”

“What do you mean, ‘maybe’?”

“Well, it will be fine if Mary doesn’t deliver while there. Think about all the impurity laws that Mary will have to abide by if she delivers. Can your cousin accommodate those?”

“I think so.”

“Well, maybe not. Think about the number of people who will descend upon Bethlehem, which is not much larger than Nazareth. Delivering a child could prove difficult in such crowded conditions.”

“I had not thought of that, Benjamin. I need to go talk to Mary’s family. We have a lot of preparation to take care of, and many prayers to pray.”

“And I will also pray for you, my friend. But the most you will get from others is just dirty looks, I’m afraid.”

“Dirty looks from others are not my concern, as long as I get a smile from Yahweh for my actions in following his will for me and for Mary, and for our soon to be son, Yashua.”

And what about you, my friends? Do you also trust God for the outcome of your life? Has he become more important than anything else in your life? Only then can the outcome you truly desire be guaranteed as only he controls our future and our destiny.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

As newscasters would say: we interrupt this previous scheduled program for the following. Since this is December, I will switch to the topic of Christmas and then complete our discussion on dimensions in January.

There will be five posts about the Heroes of Christmas. I hope you enjoy.

It was just another ordinary day, but something made me restless inside. I sit up. The bright yellow of the sun now chases away the beautiful orange and pink colors of the sunrise. Chores and duties of life come early in our small town of Nazareth. Today is butter day, so I find a somewhat secluded spot to do the churning and be in my own thoughts and what-if scenarios. Other women usually churn with others as they socialize, or as some call it: gossip. Nazareth is not a very large village and almost everyone knows everyone. Invariably, Ima would learn of some slight transgression I made long before I ever reached home to try and explain the circumstance. “Mary,” Ima would say, “whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” At that point, I could only confess and not explain. Explaining had to come before preconceived notions had been made. I love all my neighbors, but sometimes . . . sometimes my mind chooses another word for my feelings about them. I keep that to myself, of course. Yet, life here in Nazareth is nearly impossible without such a close nit community. Quick to help and support, but just as quick to gossip and reach unfounded conclusions.

Afterwards, I sit with Ima to add herbs to the butter I just made and talk with her about all that is on my mind. I am in my mid-teens and just became betrothed last week to a man named Joseph. Now I’m considered married even though it will be a whole year before we are officially together. It feels somewhat surreal. I mean, it occurred so abruptly—at least for me. Ima tells me that Abba had been talking to Joseph’s family about my potential marriage for some time. Apparently, Joseph had talked to his father about me, so Joseph’s father approached my Abba. I’m not sure how I really feel. I mean, I barely know him. I’ve seen him periodically and he would smile at me as we passed, but that was about it. Apparently, he felt that was a good enough impression to ask for me. Ima tells me I’m blessed because not all marriages occur on such good terms. I have heard stories, so I know I should feel blessed, but that is not how I’m feeling right now. I know all of this is quite common. It’s been this way for centuries. Ima says Abba has ensured Joseph is a good man with a good reputation. Many people know him because he is a carpenter and has built things for many in this village and elsewhere. Joseph is already several years older than me. Yet I’m not sure how I feel about marrying someone who is a practical stranger. But Ima says that was true for her as well when she and Abba married and that it didn’t take long for her to start to love him. She pats my arm telling me it will be the same for me. Still . . . hearing about such things and experiencing them are two different things. So, you can see, I have a lot to think about.

In the afternoon, Ima asked me to pick some olives for something she wanted to make for dinner. The grove is just outside the village, so this will give me more time to myself. I try to look determined in my gait until I reach the outskirts of the village so no inappropriate gossip gets back to Ima even though I would be innocent of whatever gossip happened to be imagined in the minds of the women in the village. I sometimes think they need more chores to occupy their time.

I pick a large basket full and then decide to take a break and eat a couple of them. The air suddenly turns. What occurred is hard to describe. The air temperature didn’t change. It just felt . . . different. I see a flash out of the corner of my eye. Turning, I see nothing. Then from around one of the trees comes a man. I say “man”, but I know it isn’t a man. I’m not sure how, but I’m not frightened at all. He seems to exude peace. I have never heard of anyone possessing such a presence about them. But this one did. I kneel, waiting to hear what he has to say.

“Greetings, Mary. I am Gabriel sent by El Elyon. I am to tell you that you are highly favored by Yahweh for he is with you.”

I wasn’t sure what I expected this one to say to me, but this certainly wasn’t it. His words, while praiseworthy, puzzled me. I’m just a young girl, with humble aspirations, in a village of no consequence. Maybe he has the wrong village, the wrong girl. His words make no sense, or no sense to be spoken to someone like me.

“Don’t be afraid or let your thoughts betray you, Mary. You, yes you indeed, have found favor with Yahweh. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Yashua. He will be great and will be called the Son of El Elyon. Yahweh Elohim will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Needless to say, my mind spun. Not only about me having a son who would somehow become a king of Israel, but that I would have any child at all. It is impossible. Although betrothed, my marriage to Joseph will not be consummated for quite some time. This I could not speed up. I did not understand how any of this could come about.

“I hear your words,” I said, “but how can any of this happen? I’m still a virgin.”

“The Holy Spirit will come on you,” Gabriel said. “The power of El Elyon will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of Yahweh. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from Yahweh will ever fail.”

I had heard about Elizabeth, and many were saying her pregnancy was indeed a miracle. But I will become pregnant before being with my husband. Would anyone believe such a thing? But everyone in Israel is taught their entire life to expect a coming Messiah, and the prophet Isaiah did say he would be born of a virgin. What would those who gossip about trivial things say about this? Well, it is all about faith, isn’t it? I either believe in the prophecy or I don’t. And if I believe the prophecy, then I must believe that I can be part of this prophecy. So, I trusted and said something I never contemplated in any of my what-if scenarios.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” I said. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

As quickly as Gabriel appeared, he disappeared. I glanced around. No one. Not even a gossip-ridden villager. I am alone. I must admit that I wondered if what had just occurred actually did occur. But this had been no daydream. I mean, I could never have dreamed such an event. There is dreaming and then there is the impossible. I had just entered the impossible.

I pick up my basket of olives and head back to the village. Who should I tell? I shake my head. No one. Not even Ima. Not yet anyway. Right now, it is a secret between me and Yahweh. Yet, I knew such a secret would not remain a secret indefinitely. I have some time. I’m not sure how or when what the angel said would happen will happen. I need to come up with an explanation before the village gossip comes up with their own explanation which could lead . . . I gasp. The realization hits me; I stumble, drop my basket, and fall to my knees once more. The punishment for someone in my condition is a public stoning! Surely someone will believe me. Will Joseph? My life will be in his hands. Prayers are needed; and lots of them.

And what about you today? Do you have a what or how that seems impossible? Do you, like Mary, feel overwhelmed by what is being asked of you? Perhaps the answer is to do as she did. She didn’t conquer the what or the how, but she did conquer the who for she knew he was far greater than her impossible assignment. Can you let your who be greater than your what or how? If you can, that’s good. Because that’s where the impossible possible lives.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens