Ecce Ancilla Domini (The Annunciation)~Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to visit a girl named Mary. Mary lived in a town in Galilee called Nazareth. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.
The Angel told Mary: Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You have been chosen to conceive the son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Your cousin Elizabeth is now with child and her son will prepare the way for the work of your Son.
To which Mary replied: Behold the servant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to His will.
La Visitation ~ Béatrice Van Ez - Le Perru (1954- )
Mary was surprised to see that what the Angel Gabriel predicted was true. Her cousin Elizabeth was beyond her child bearing years, but she was with child.
Upon seeing Mary, Elizabeth said: Blessed are you among women. Who am I that you should come to me? The moment I saw you, the child within me jumped for joy, for even he knew that you are the one who was chosen.
And Mary stayed with Elizabeth until John the Baptist was born and then she returned to Nazareth.
In those times,when someone was engaged, it was almost like they were married, except they did not live in the same house. The engagement was a very serious commitment. In fact, the only way to break off an engagement was to get a divorce. Joseph was very disappointed when he discovered that Mary was pregnant. In those times, a girl had to be a virgin before she was married or she would be stoned to death. But being a reasonable and decent person, Joseph decided not to let anyone know about Mary's pregnancy and he quietly planned for a divorce from Mary.
But as he lay there, sleeping, God sent the Angel Gabriel to him. And the Angel explained to Joseph: Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, Joseph, for Mary has shown great favor with the Lord. Mary has conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and she will give birth to the son of God and his name shall be Emmanuel, which means God is with us.
So Joseph did as the Angel asked and he took Mary as his wife. ~ Matthew 1:24
Stained Glass Windows of St. Joseph's Parish, 1535 Erie St, Racine, Wisconsin
But it was time to register for the Census, so Joseph took his pregnant wife and placed her on a donkey and they traveled to Bethelem, because Joseph was a decendant of David and that is where he had to register.
Mary and Joseph at the Census- mosiac from the church in Chora, Kariye-Camii
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