The Annunciation
by Rhonda Waters
There once was a young woman named Mary. We don’t know much about her except that she was engaged to marry a man named Joseph and she lived in a town called Nazareth. Then, one day, something extraordinary happened to Mary. This is her story.
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Mary:
It was just an ordinary day. A day like any other day. I had helped with the chores – fed the chickens, fetched the water, made the bread. I was tired and was nearly ready for bed. But the house was always so noisy, so full of people, and I wanted just a little time all by myself. So I slipped out of the house and sat out under the tree and watched the sunset.
Maybe I fell asleep.
Because I don’t remember…it…coming. One minute, I was alone. The next, I was not. Who – or what – was with me, though? I was almost blinded by the brightness that was shining out of…him?her?it? I thought I saw wings and eyes, too many of both. I was about to scream when…
Gabriel:
“Do not be afraid, Mary,” said the shining creature.
Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid. Do not, do not, do not be afraid.
And somehow, I wasn’t. Somehow, I knew the creature was an angel and had been sent by God. So I listened.
Gabriel:
God knows you, Mary – God knows everything about you and thinks you are wonderful! And God has something for you to do – something very important but very hard and a little dangerous, too.
God will give you a son, a beautiful baby boy. You will carry him in your body and when he is born you will call him Jesus. Mary, your baby will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High and he will be king of the Jews and his kingdom will never end.
This was all ridiculous, of course. How would my son ever be a king? How could I even have a son, for that matter. I was engaged to Joseph but we had never done anything that made babies! I was starting to feel scared again.
Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid. Do not, do not, do not be afraid.
So I took a deep breath and asked the angel: How is any of this even possible?
Gabriel:
The Holy Spirit will take care of everything. The baby will be holy, the Son of God. Remember, God can make miracles happen. For example, your cousin, Elizabeth, who couldn’t have children and is pretty old – well, she’s six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God.
I took another deep breath. Could I do this? Could I do this thing God was asking me to do? It would cause so much trouble. Joseph might not marry me. My parents would be very angry. I might end up all alone. With a baby.
A miracle baby. The son of God. Jesus.
I looked at the angel. I am God’s servant. I will do as God asks.
“Yes,” I said, “yes”.
Mary’s Story: Part Two
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