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The Virgin MariaMother of Jesus Christ
Country:
 Israel |
Content:
Mary, the Chosen One
Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was not an ordinary woman. She was chosen by God for a special mission - to be the mother of the Son of God. This legendary mission, to be the Mother of the Savior, stayed with her until her death. After her Assumption, her possessions were given to the poor. All that was found were a handful of silver coins, two dresses, and a belt. The responsibility and reverence I feel for this woman compelled me to write this article, even though I may have been considered the losing side in a recent argument. My friend, a Baptist, claimed that Mary, the mother of Christ, was just like any other woman and did not possess any special holiness. I chose to remain silent instead of engaging in a debate. However, this argument made me reflect on the mystery of Mary and her role in giving birth to the Savior. Even though everything about her has been written and described in the most famous book in the world and numerous other religious texts, debates about the mystery of her life and the significance of her role continue to this day. Each artist and iconographer depicted her in their own unique way, highlighting her individuality and divine selection by God.
A Biography of Mary
Mary, chosen for the high mission of giving birth to the Redeemer, was a saint who was both unattainable and incomprehensible to others. Some believe that prayers to her, according to the beliefs of many representatives of new religious movements, are worthless since she does not even possess the favor of her chosen Son. However, I will not argue with these beliefs. Instead, I will tell you what I know and what I believe. Information about Mary's early years can be found in the book "The Testament of James About the Life of Mary." This book provides a detailed and serious account of her life, and there is no reason to doubt its authenticity. Mary was born into a noble family with a high lineage tracing back to King David. To put it in modern terms, Mary was born into the most noble family. She was a long-awaited and cherished child. Her mother, Anna, spent long hours in prayer, beseeching the Almighty to grant her a child. Alongside her husband, Joachim, Anna retreated to the desert where they engaged in fasting, reflection, and prayer. The longing and faith of these devoted and patient spouses were rewarded with the blessing of a child. Anna, being of an advanced age, was concerned about the risks of childbirth and made a vow to dedicate her only child to the service of God if the birth went well. Joachim, through a prophetic vision, knew that their child would not be ordinary but would be blessed and destined for a great purpose. He chose not to tell his wife about this vision until the right time, so as not to cause unnecessary worry. However, he watched over the upbringing of their cherished daughter, teaching her the ways of faith and humility.
Legend has it that when Mary was six months old, her mother tried to make her stand on her own. The child took seven steps and then returned to her mother's arms. Anna exclaimed, realizing that the angel's prophecy was coming true: "As the Lord my God lives, you shall not walk on the earth until I bring you into the house of the Lord!" The child remained with her mother all the time, and she was cared for by nannies from devout families known for their piety. When she turned one year old, she received a blessing from the church and the priest, as was customary for all children at that time. Mary amazed those around her with her kindness, extraordinary memory, and intelligence beyond her young age. Because of this, Joachim wanted to fulfill his vow to dedicate his daughter to God as soon as possible. However, Anna asked her husband to let her spend one more year with their daughter. The wise parents began preparing their child for her dedication to the temple and her service there.
In her third year of life (she was born on September 8), little Miriam - her name in ancient Hebrew meaning "exalted" - entered the temple with her parents, climbing all 15 steep steps on her own! It is likely that this was when she uttered her first significant prayer. For her family and loved ones, Mary's entry and consecration in the temple became a celebration. Her family was highly respected in Nazareth, and she was cherished by the community.
Mary's parents overcame all the difficulties of the journey to Jerusalem to fulfill their vow. The king, Herod, who also read the prophetic books of the prophets but misinterpreted them out of fear of losing his power, issued a decree for a census of the population. He hoped to learn in advance about the birth of the mysterious Messiah who would challenge his authority. The genealogical records of the royal lineage of David, to which Jesus belonged, were kept in Bethlehem.
As law-abiding citizens, Mary and Joseph traveled to this small and quiet town, which had suddenly gained fame in the sacred books and in the history of mankind. When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room for them in the inn, as it was already full with visitors from other cities and villages.
"They left without complaining and sought refuge in the vicinity of the city," as written in one of the books about Mary and Joseph. Not far from the gates, to the south of Bethlehem, about two hundred steps from the spring of David, among rocky cliffs, there is a cave where shepherds used to take shelter with their flocks from inclement weather and wind. Inside the cave, there is a depression serving as a manger for the animals. In this deep cave, away from the hustle and bustle, the noise, and the darkness, the weary travelers sought refuge to rest.
Joseph noticed that Mary needed more than just rest - her time to become a mother had come. Joseph was surprised to recall the prophecies in the ancient scriptures that spoke of the birth occurring in a particular place: "He will dwell in the heights of the strong rock, and His dwelling place shall be the impregnable cliffs."
Joseph was filled with confusion, and the apparition of the Child remained a profound spiritual mystery for him. He likely experienced what any man would feel in such a momentous event as the birth of a child. Mary was equally overwhelmed, but her self-possession and humility allowed her to find strength and not complain about the darkness of the cave, the straw, the cold, and the uncertainty of the future. She reassured and comforted Joseph, swaddled the Baby with her own hands, and placed Him in the manger.
The birth of Jesus went unnoticed by most, but not by all. The shepherds, who were near the pillar of Oder in the Bethlehem Valley, were visited by an angel who revealed the secret of the birth of the Son of God. It was at this very location that David once tended his flocks. It is undoubtedly significant that the Heavenly King and Savior of the World, who came "not for the righteous, but for sinners," was born in a cave, in a humble stable, on straw, amidst dirt and obscurity. The first to learn about Him were not nobles or kings but poor shepherds. Those whom He came to serve and preach to.
The harmony of the Universe, in which everything is interconnected, can sometimes seem strange to human perception. The shepherds, who received this divine revelation, were the first to recognize the birth of the Messiah. The circumstances of His birth were not random - the Heavenly King and Savior of the World, who came "not for the righteous, but for sinners," was born in a cave, in a humble stable, on straw, amidst dirt and obscurity. The first to learn about Him were not nobles or kings but poor shepherds. He came for those whom He would serve and preach to.
