Magnificat

Magnificat - Telling Yosef

The journey home seemed longer than the journey to Elisheba and Zechariah's home, but finally, she could see her own little hometown as the wagon passed over the last hill. It really wasn't much to look at, from an outsider's perspective, but her heart swelled with pride and joy at seeing it and being with her parents.

Suddenly, Miryam felt a little stirring in her belly. At first, it felt like a butterfly, but the movement continued. She placed her hand there, and looked up into the cloudless sky. "Thank you, Elohim, for allowing me to be your vessel. Help me meet this with grace, and help Yosef to see your plan. Omaine!l"

The wagon pulled up to her home, and her parents came out, laughing and filled with joy. Yosef was with them also. Miryam smiled shyly as Yosef came and helped her down from the wagon. Mamma hugged her, followed by Pappa. "Come, we have dinner prepared. Bless the Lord."

Inside, Mamma was brimming with excitable expectancy. "Please, Miry, tell me of Elisheba! The news reached us, but you were there, and I am so anxious to hear of her unexpected joy!"

Miryam drank a long gulp of water before starting. "Mamma, it was the most incredible event I have ever witnessed. When I arrived, Zechariah was dumb. According to Elisheba, he was struck dumb by an angel when he didn't believe the messenger of the Lord's word. Well, after Yochanan was born, they went, of course, to the temple. When Rabbi asked for his name, others were saying to name him Zechariah, or another family name, but Elisheba shook her head "no" and said 'His name is Yochanan!' And Zechariah's mouth was opened, and he said the same. Then, he began praising YHWH for His gift."

"Miryam, that's a fantastic story." Yosef said. "How amazing that the Lord remembered her. He still does great things among us."

"Yes, Yosef, He does, and He is getting ready to do an even more incredible work before our very eyes!" Miryam's eyes filled with joyous tears.

Yosef cocked his head to one side, and a questioning look crossed his face. "What do you mean, Miry?"

Mamma gave Miryam a "not right now" look. Pappa stood to walk outside, telling Yosef to come with him. Miryam followed, feeling she should at least be with Yosef. It wasn't her place to tell him, but she could at least reassure him. "Miryam, you need to tell Yosef. I give you permission."

"M-m-maybe we should g-go in-in-inside and s-s-sit down?" She didn't want to be afraid. Her mind echoed the words that Gabri'el said to her.

Yosef, who suddenly looked very uncomfortable, nodded and they went back in to recline at the table.

"Tell me what? What is it?" He reached for Miryam's hand. He was a patient and kind man. She knew she was safe with him.

"A few months ago, I was having trouble sleeping. So, I sat up to go get some water, but I sat up too quickly, and felt a little dizzy. Suddenly, a man was standing in my room."

"What are you saying, Miry? Do you love another?" The man wore his heart on his sleeve. He looked as if he would cry.

"No, Yosef. Please, let me finish." He nodded in agreement, and took her hand. "The man said: Fear not! You are favored by the Most High."

"Miry... just tell me if you've been unfaithful. I won't have you punished. I would never want you to be hurt. I do want you to be honest with me."

A tear escaped her eyes. She knew this would be the most difficult conversation. "He said: 'You have found Favor with YHWH, and He has chosen you to bear his Son, and you shall name him Yeshua. He will be Emmanuel: God with us.'"

"Miry, you've always been a very truthful person, but this is too much for me to believe: angels, Son of Elohim? No. I ... can't. I will talk with Rabbi, and we will just quietly separate. Good evening!" Yosef said to everyone before leaving.

Miryam stood and walked to her room silently. There she lowered herself to her straw bed, and sobbed until the morning sun roused her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yosef could not sleep. He would talk to Rabbi the next day. Hopefully, the servant of the Lord would see it his way and not drag Miryam out to be stoned for adultery.

"Lord, I don't know what to make of this! What do I do? You brought us together? Would you really separate us?" He prayed and cried for hours, hurt by her infidelity and lies. Finally sleep overtook him.

"Yosef. Yosef. Don't be afraid to take Miryam as your wife. What she told you is true: she is going to have the Son of the Most High. You shall name him Yeshua: for He will save His people from their sins."

Sitting straight up in bed, Yosef said aloud: "Yes, Lord. Your will be done."