0-Mary-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Prologue: Mary
DAYSPRING DAWNING

�� If this were a play, the cast would be all wrong.� Mary and Joseph?� Whoever heard of them?� They're nobodies.� And the plot?� Who'd ever believe it?� This is supposed to be a true story.

�� This Mary and Joseph think they have their lives together all figured out.� They don't.� An interfering force is about to disrupt everything.��

�� A wedding that will be the talk of the town?� Definitely.� Mary and Joseph will have that all right.� But not in the way they intend.� Their wedding will be the gossip of the town.� Albeit, holy gossip.� Whatever that is. ��

�� Instead of guests coming in from everywhere for the happy occasion, hardly anyone will attend.� Instead of delight, there will be embarrassment.� Talk of the town?� Yes.� But Mary and Joseph will wish everyone would just leave them alone in peace.

�� A moderate home in a moderate part of town?� Not any time soon.� Mary and Joseph will be forced to go to their ancestral home at the other end of the country for a pointless census.�

�� Then the military will go after them.� They'll have to escape to another country.� It will be a long time before they get that moderate home in that moderate part of town.� What bitterness lies ahead for them.

�� How could Joseph go through with it in the first place?� He's stupid.� Just plain stupid.� Who would marry a woman who is already pregnant by someone else?� That story she concocted about being impregnated by God.� Where did she hatch that up?� She needs a good head shrink.� So does Joseph.� What a weird pair.� Maybe they deserve each other. [1]

�� And that son of theirs.� This is where the plot really gets bizarre.� Makes no sense.� Their son is actually supposed to be God.

�� Now, let's suppose for argument's sake he really is a God.� It's all wrong.� Does he make his entrance as a man?� No.� He's actually born.� He makes his grand entrance as a mere baby.� He takes all that unnecessary time to grow up.�

�� Once he's grown, is he a giant?� Nope.� He's the same size as any other man.� Shorter than some.�

�� What about a ring of stars around his head to signify his divine station?� Well, if not that, at least a halo.� Where's his halo?� He has none.� He claims it would detract from his divine mission.� So, how is anyone supposed to know he's a God if he looks like everyone else?�

�� He could at least fling lightning bolts at his mortal enemies.� No way.� Not this peculiar specimen of a God.� He flings words instead.� What good is that?

�� All right, then.� How about riding on the wings of a giant eagle as he goes around spreading those words?� No way.� Not that man -- er uh God.� He gets around like the mortals do.� He walks or uses the same kind of transportation everyone else does.

�� Well, food.� Ah yes, food.� He could eat stones and wash them down with water wrung out from a couple of clouds.� But no.� He eats the same kinds of food everyone else does.�

�� So here he is.� He dresses like everyone else.� He faces his enemy like everyone else.� He gets around like everyone else.� He eats like everyone else.� No way is anyone going to believe he's a God.

� �� He's going to do everything wrong.� It's hard enough to believe in God.� How is one supposed to believe in someone who looks and acts the same as them?

�� Poor Mary and Joseph.� Especially Mary.� What's about to enter her life is at once myth and mystical and a great big hoax.� And even though some people will eventually call her a goddess of some sort, some will call her son a devil.

�� But others.�

�� Others will believe.� They will actually believe this whole thing! �They will stake their very lives on it!��

BC 23
Nazareth, Galilee

�� It is night.� It has been night for a long time.� Forty years night.� Self-rule taken from the country.� This time for good.� Bitter, bitter night. [2]

�� Mary has just been born.� There is not much gladness.� They name her Bitterness.� That's what Mary means.�

�� Since Mary's mother was a toddler, the country has been ruled by a madman.� Killed half of the citizens of Jerusalem in order to take over - many of them right there in the holy Temple itself. [3]

�� And just two years earlier when Mary's parents were married, things got worse.� One of King Herod's spies uncovered a plot to assassinate him. �He had the would-be perpetrators tortured and executed.� The people in turn tortured and executed the spy.� Herod in turn tortured some women until they confessed who had killed the spy.� Will it never end? [4]

�� How will such innocence as that which baby Mary has ever survive in a world like this?

�� Baby Mary begins to fuss and cry in her little bed.� Her mother leans over and picks up her baby Mary.� She sits on the cushions nearby and rocks her baby Mary.� And sings.� Silent night, holy night.�

�� She only wishes it were.� "God, why aren't you saving us from all this?" she whispers.� God knows and understands.� But does he care?

�� Satan is laughing.� He is in control.� He will always be in control.

�� But heaven is stirring.� It's almost time.�� A thousand years have come and gone.� Another thousand.� Another.� And another.� It's almost time.

�� ....IN A HEAVENLY REALM SOMEWHERE, A CONVERSATION IS TAKING PLACE. [5]

�� SON, I'VE SELECTED YOUR MOTHER.� SEE HER DOWN THERE?� SHE IS STILL A BABY.� BUT SHE WILL BE STRONG.� SHE WILL LOVE YOU THROUGH IT ALL.

�� AND I WILL LOVE HER, FATHER....

BC 19
Damascus, Syria

�� "Hail, Caesar!"

�� Julius Caesar, sovereign ruler of the world, has just been assassinated.� Now Augustus Caesar rules.� He is a friend of Herod.� He's visiting his friend Herod.� Will things grow worse?

�� "Your highness, King Herod is bringing atrocities on our people in Gadara." [6]

�� It does not work.� Caesar takes Herod's side against the common man.

�� Rather than be tortured until dead for treason, they take their own lives - swords, high bridges, cliffs - anything to escape the torture. [7]

�� Bitter night.� Deep bitter night.

Nazareth, Galilee

�� "Right in our own back door," Heli tells his wife upon hearing the news.� "Just twenty-five miles from here it happens.� There's no escaping Herod and his power." [8]

�� Mary, now four years old, crawls into her father's lap.� He acknowledges her only briefly as she snuggles in and leans her head against her father's chest.

�� Mary looks over at her mother as they talk.� Then impetuously she wiggles loose of her father, and walks over to her mother.� She reaches up and wipes a sad tear from her mother's cheek.

�� "Don't be sad, Mother.� Mary will take care of you," she says.

�� "Oh, sweetheart, you're too young."

�� "How am I supposed to protect you and Mary" Heli continues.� "If the leading men of the city cannot stand up against King Herod, who can?� Who are we?� We are nothing.� Where is God?� He's got to get our country out of this mess.� God, where are you?"

�� Satan is in a very good mood.� Things are going as planned.� But not for long.� He does not know it yet.

�� ....WELL, SON, DO YOU THINK YOU'RE READY FOR THIS?

�� OH YES.� I'VE THOUGHT IT THROUGH MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST CENTURIES.� I'M DEFINITELY READY TO TRAVEL TO EARTH....

BC 18

�� "Why can't we go to synagogue, Mother?" Mary asks.� She is now five years old.� She does not understand.� Her mother does not understand either.

�� "Well, because King Herod will not allow us to assemble in groups any more.� He's afraid we're planning his downfall." [9]

�� "Is he afraid of falling down?" Mary asks.

�� Her mother walks Mary over to the bottom steps that leads to their flat roof.� "I'll teach you a new song if you promise not to sing it in public."

�� "But, why, Mother?� Why can't everyone sing the song?"

�� "Our king is afraid of the happiness in the songs.� I think he's just afraid of happiness."

��"Doesn't he ever laugh?"

�� Mary's mother picks her up and puts her in her lap.� "Probably not, sweety.� I heard he spies on us personally.� Puts on a disguise and spies on us."

�� "What's a disguise?"

�� "It's where you put on a mask and don't let people know who you really are." [10]

�� "Can we wear masks sometime, Mother?"

�� "I think we already do," she whispers.�

�� "If I ever see that mean King Herod, I'm going to tell him he's being naughty."

�� "Oh, sweetheart, you're too young to understand," her mother responds.� Then, quickly changing the subject, she smiles broadly and announces, "This is a song about love...."

�� Satan is growing nervous.� He has heard things are not the same in heaven.� That always makes him nervous.� Indeed, he has every right to be.

�� ....WHAT ABOUT THE ADJUSTMENTS, SON?� THEY'RE INFINITE.� DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THEM?

�� LIKE GIVING UP STREETS OF GOLD FOR STREETS SOMETIMES LITTERED WITH PUTRID GARBAGE?� I CAN HANDLE THAT, FATHER....

BC 17
Rome Italy

�� "And so, Sovereign Ruler Caesar, it is with the greatest of regret that I bring my two oldest sons before you - Alexander and Aristobulus - for trying to overthrow the country."

�� "Sir," Alexander replies at the court hearing, "he is listening to lies.� Why would we want to assassinate our own father?� Would we have more wealth or prestige than we have now?� No.� He is our father.� We love him."

�� Tears in the eyes of his sons.� Tears in the eyes of Caesar.� No tears in the eyes of King Herod.� For he has no feelings.� He is only frustrated.� Frustrated because he cannot have his very own sons executed.� Not yet. [11]

�� But he will continue to execute lesser men.� For the sake of the country.

Nazareth, Galilee

�� Mary is now six years old.� She's twirling herself around the courtyard.

�� "Mary, you're going to get dizzy and fall," her grandfather admonishes.� Matthat never much liked what they named his grand daughter.� Bitterness just doesn't seem to fit her for a name. [12]

�� "Do you want to hear my song, Grandfather?"

�� "You composed a song?� How bright you are, Mary.� Yes, indeed, I want to hear your song."

�� Mary stands at her grandfather's knees, hands by her side, eyes sparkling.�

��� I am excited with God.

�� I am is thrilled with him. [13]

�� The family applauds appropriately.� Mary grins proudly.

�� "How can King Herod hate his own children?" Mary's father interjects, watching his innocent daughter and spoiling her shining moment.

�� "Doesn't he like his children?" Mary asks.� "I'll be their friend.� Do you want me to go to Jerusalem and be their friend?"

��"Oh, sweet Mary.� You could never have any influence over the most prominent family in the country.� Besides, you're too young to travel so far from home," her grandfather responds, reaching out for her little hands.

�� "Somehow God will work things out in his own way," he continues, now looking over at Mary's father.� "Mark my words, it will happen.� In a way we're not expecting.� Maybe not in our lifetime, but I think the time is close.� I think it's close."

�� Satan does not like what he is hearing.� He must make people more bitter.� He wishes he could make Mary bitter.� Doesn't she realize that's what her name means?� Maybe when she's older he can make her bitter.� He must work harder.� Harder on Mary.� Harder on the world.� Before it is too late.

�� ....YOUR POWERS, SON.� YOU KNOW YOU'LL HAVE TO GIVE UP MOST OF YOUR POWERS MOST OF THE TIME.� OTHERWISE YOU'LL MAKE THEM FEEL TOO INFERIOR AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE.� CAN YOU HANDLE THAT?

�� YOU MEAN LIKE WHEN I'M ANGRY AT SINNERS AND WILL BE TEMPTED TO CALL LIGHTNING DOWN ON THEM?� IT WOULDN'T SERVE MY PURPOSE.� I'LL USE THE POWERS ONLY WHEN NECESSARY TO PROVE I AM FROM HEAVEN - NO MORE.

BC 9
Jerusalem, Judea

�� "Here we are gentlemen," King Herod announces to his closest associates.� "We have a supply of torches here.� Everyone should have one."

�� Still they say nothing.� They are dumbfounded at what is about to take place.�

�� King Herod walks among the night-time shadows through the royal cemetery to the vault.� "Break the seal," he orders, looking at one of his centurions.

�� The seal is broken, and the men enter a large vault.� It is the tomb of King David and his son Solomon.� In the back is a door into what appears on the outside to be a hill, but which in reality is a tunnel.�

�� The small group walks out the back door way and through the tunnel.� It is musty.� The air is stale and thick.� Thick with death.�

�� "The national treasury is back here.� At least that is what I have been told."

�� A little farther back and they see ahead another door.� Passing through it they see another large room.� In much of it is gold plated furniture.� They search among it for the hidden treasure.� Deeper and deeper into the room.� Closer to the actual crypts of David and Solomon.� Still nothing.

�� Suddenly a flash!

�� "Ahhhhhhggg!"

�� A lit torch.� Gasses ignited.�� More screams!

�� "Ahhhhhhggg!"

�� His clothes are on fire!� Put it out!� Stop the fire!� Save the man!�

�� A second man throws himself on the first!

�� "Ahhhhhhggg!"

�� Both on fire.� Both in flames.� Running.� Screaming.� Tortured beyond endurance.

�� "Ahhhhhhggg!"

�� They run frantically, then fall.� In their baptism of fire.� Writhing.� Screaming.� Screams out of the belly of hell.

�� "Ahhhhhhggg!"

�� Then it stops.

�� The others back up in horror.� Away from Herod.� King or not, they will pursue no further.� What price for money? [14]

Nazareth, Galilee

�� "Greetings Mother!� Greetings, Grandmother!� What's for dinner?"

�� Mary is now fourteen years old.�

�� "Uh, Mary, wash your hands and help Grandmother finish cutting the bread.� How was your babysitting this afternoon?"

�� "Oh, fine.� I can't wait to have children of my own.� They are so much fun."

�� "And work, don't forget," her grandmother adds.

�� "What about the Roman soldiers.� Did any of them bother you?"

�� "No.� No one pays attention to someone like me."

�� "Marrrryyyy!"� It's little sister Salome calling from the courtyard.� "Someone's at the gate for you!� It's Judith!"

�� "Tell her to come back in a couple hours!"

�� The dishes are cleaned up just in time for the expected knock on the gate.

�� "That's Judith.� I'll get it," Mary calls out.� "Let's go up to the roof where we can be alone," Mary announces as she opens the gate.

�� "I have a list of people going on the protest march," she replies, holding our her writing tablet.

�� "You didn't put my name on it, did you, Judith?"

�� "I knew better than that.� But I still don't understand why. Maybe if the young people of this country protest loudly enough," Judith announces naively, " King Herod will sit up and take notice."

�� Mary stands and throws a hand full of stored barley at her friend.� "My grandfather used to be a protest marcher.� Didn't do any good when he did.� Won't when you do."

��"You just think we're too young, don't you?"

�� "Aren't you in the least afraid of Herod's soldiers that patrol everywhere?"

�� "They wouldn't dare bother me," she replies nervously.

�� Satan grows nervous too.� Not over Judith.� But over Mary.� Nor is he nervous over King Herod's overthrow.� He has figured out Mary will have something to do with his own overthrow.�

�� ....HOW ABOUT GIVING UP YOUR SPIRIT BODY THAT CAN BE EVERYWHERE IN THE COSMOS AT ONCE?� YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRAPPED IN A BODY THAT CAN TOUCH AND SEE AND HEAR ONLY A FEW FEET IN ANY DIRECTION.� THAT'S TERRIBLY CONFINING.� CAN YOU HANDLE THAT, SON?

�� YES, FATHER.� I CAN HANDLE IT....��

8 BC
Jerusalem, Judea

�� Spies everywhere.� King Herod claims it is for the good of the country.� He is out of control.� Therein lies his ultimate control.� There is no stopping him.

�� People tortured.� Tortured to confess what they did not say.� Did not plot.� Did not see.� Did not do.

�� "It's my sons.� They're trying to take over again.� I knew not to trust them.� My own flesh and blood.� We've got to get eye witnesses.� Take their friends into custody.� Make them tell you what Alexander and Aristobulus are up to.� They must be stopped.� For the sake of the country, they must be stopped!" [15]

Jericho, Judea

�� "Even here people are against me.� Plotting to take away my presidency, even though they know in their hearts I love my people and want only what is best for them." [16]

�� King Herod grows more irrational.� Irrational with power and control.� He does not know true power nor true control.� The time is close.� Time for the true Power to arrive.�

7-5 BC [17]
Nazareth, Galilee

�� "How could he do it, Grandfather?� How could the king have his own sons executed?� Will he stop at nothing?"

�� Mary is now sixteen years old.� Sweet sixteen, and engaged to a young man named Joseph.� Sometimes she thinks about whether she should bring children into such a world as this.�

�� Mary will get her answer soon.� In a few moments.� She is not aware.� Nor is the world.� Satan is.� Is it too late to make Mary bitter?

�� "He's a monster, Grandfather.� How could he just sit there and watch them snuff the life out of his very own sons?� I could never allow anyone to execute my son."

�� "King Herod has become a slave to power," Matthat replies.

�� "To think," Mary continues, "that while we were having lunch yesterday, just a hundred miles away he was sitting there watching them execute his sons.� He's sick!� How can God let this go on?� Maybe people are right.� Maybe there is no hope." [18]

�� "Never give up hope, sweet Mary."

�� Out of the clear, Mary's father announces, "Who wants to walk to the city square and back to get some fresh air?"

�� The summer days are long and the heat extends into the evening.� Everyone decides to go but Mary.

�� "I want to go over my wedding plans some more.� Is it okay if I don't go along?"

�� "It's okay as long as you keep the gate locked," her father replies.

�� "No problem.� I'll be fine."

�� The family leaves and Mary is alone.

�� ....BUT SON, HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF THE CROSS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ENDURE FOR THEM?� CAN YOU KEEP YOURSELF FROM CALLING ON YOUR POWERS TO DELIVER YOU FROM THE TORTURE?� AND THE DEATH.� YOU'VE NEVER DIED BEFORE. �CAN YOU HANDLE IT, SON?

�� FATHER, WE LOVE THOSE PEOPLE.� ONLY WHEN THEY SEE I AM REALLY DEAD CAN YOU STEP IN WITH THE POWER OF LIFE TO RESURRECT ME AND SHOW THEM YOU'LL DO THE SAME FOR THEM....

�� She gets out her swatches of bridal fabrics and goes up to the roof where there is a slight breeze.

�� Suddenly a man's voice is heard behind her.

�� "Congratulations!"

�� Mary jumps up and turns around.� How did that man get in the house?� Trembling, she backs away from him.

�� "Don't hurt me!"

�� "Hurt you?� Never in a thousand years."

�� The man stands where he is a moment, then wanders over to a bench.� Sitting is less threatening.� Perhaps this will help.�

�� "Who are you?� How did you get in here?"� Tears of fear escape from her eyes.

�� "I just came to congratulate you, Mary."

�� How did you know my name?"

�� "Oh, I know all about you.� Please forgive me for not introducing myself.� My name is Gabriel.� Actually I'm an angel."

�� Mary snickers deep in her throat and her eyes flash in disbelief.� She put her hand on a club used to clean rugs.�

�� "You're not kidding me.� Who are you?� Just leave before I scream." She knows she does not sound convincing.

�� "Please listen to me just a moment.� Then I promise to leave.� See, I'm not getting any closer to you.� Just stand there by the wall.� If I try to get any closer, you may scream all you want.� Fair enough?"

�� Mary isn't answering.� But she's not moving either.� So far so good.

�� "I just wanted to give you my congratulations."

�� "How did you know I was getting married?"

�� "Oh, not about that."

�� "Well, that's the only important thing I'm doing these days."

�� "Mary...."� He grows more serious.� "Mary, you are a very favored lady, for the Lord is with you." [19]

�� "I know God is with me at all times.� He'll protect me from you unless you really are an angel."

�� "But God has decided to wonderfully bless you, Mary, in a special way."

�� Silence....� He continues....

�� Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy.

�� "Well, very soon now I will be married.� So, yes, you're probably right.� I'll probably become pregnant right away.� But a boy?� How can you know that?" she responds, momentarily forgetting she could be in danger.

�� Gabriel reassures her.� "Remember, Mary, I'm an angel.� God has told me everything.� Furthermore, you are to call your baby Jesus."

�� "Jesus?� But my husband will be Joseph.� I plan to name my first son Joseph." [20]

�� Gabriel continues as though she has not responded.� "He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God."

�� The words grab hold of her heart and will not let go.� Son of God....� of God....� of God....

�� Mary's mouth opens, but in speechlessness.� She does not understand.� Oh, Mary.� Listen to what he says.� Really and truly listen.

�� "He shall govern this nation forever; his kingship shall never end!" [21]

�� His words echo through her mind and are trapped there in a confused abyss.� She sits down on a bench by the wall, her trembling hands grasping its edges.

�� That's a lot to believe, Mary.� Can you try to believe it?

�� "The child will not belong to Joseph.� You will become pregnant miraculously before you are married.� Remember the prophet Isaiah saying a virgin will bear the Son of God?" [22]

�� Come on, Mary.� Think.

�� Indeed, Mary does remember.� Her grandfather was talking about it just yesterday.[23]

�� Gabriel continues.� "And when I said his nation would never end, I was quoting from the prophet Daniel.� Daniel even predicted exactly when he would be born.� His birth year, Mary, is next year.� Do you have a scripture scroll?� I will show you."

�� Mary, he's offering you proof now.� He's helping you believe.

�� Her confidence has grown enough that Mary replies there is a set of scrolls in the first room downstairs on a shelf where her grandfather always keeps it. �Then she remembers the knives for skinning meat he also stores nearby, and interrupts herself.� "Uh, there's a closer set at the bottom of the stairs in those tall jars with lids."

�� Gabriel smiles in understanding, goes to the bottom of the stairs and randomly - though not randomly - chooses one of the jars.� He takes the tattered scroll out of it.� He turns the scroll as he walks back up the stairs.� He sits back down.� She is surprised at how fast he has done all this.

�� "Here it is.� 'Pay attention!� It will be 49 years - that's seven weeks times seven days in a week - plus 434 years from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the crowned One comes!"

�� "That's a total of 483 years," he explains.� "Mary, it has been 452 years since our capital city was rebuilt.� The descendant of David is due to be born next year and become priest-king when all priests are eligible - at age 30.� That will be the 483rd year!" [24]

�� Grasp what he's telling you, Mary.� Can you do it?

�� Mary's trying with all her heart to believe him.� He's proven himself with scripture, with the Word of God.� Still the final proof is yet to be given.

�� "But I'm a virgin.� How can I have the baby?� How can I conceive?" [25]

�� Okay, Mary.� Can you handle it?� Can you comprehend what he's about to tell you?� Try, Mary!� Really try!

�� Gabriel is still sitting and smiling.� He's standing up and walking slowly toward Mary, then kneeling in front of her so he can look into her eyes.� Full of excitement, he's whispering as though telling a special secret.

�� "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you!"

�� "The Holy Spirit?� The Holy Spirit helped David write his psalms."� Then, thoughtfully, she adds,� "He does other things too?"

�� Gabriel's exhilaration swells.� He can hardly contain it.� His words trip over each other in excitement.

�� "Mary, the power of God will overshadow you!"

�� Yes, a shadow.� Come on, Mary.� You're almost there.� Don't stop now.

�� "Therefore," Gabriel continues, "the baby born to you will be thoroughly celestial."

�� "Celestial?" she manages to repeat audibly.

�� Hang on to your seat, now, Mary.� Here comes the rest of it.� You didn't get it when he told you before.� Grasp it now.

�� "Your baby will....your baby, Mary, will be the Son of God!!!!!" [26]

�� That's it!� That's the final thing you've got to believe.� Do you believe it, Mary?� Can you?� Try hard, Mary.�

�� Divine truth descends to her mind.� Dazzles her soul.� Ignites her spirit.� Day dawns in the mind, soul, and spirit of Mary.� And of Mankind.��

�� Gabriel looks in her eyes a little longer then stands.� Slowly now he begins to back away.

�� Do you need any more proof, Mary?� Okay.� Here's a little serendipity to help you out.

�� "By the way," Gabriel adds, "six months ago, your elderly cousin Elizabeth - 'the infertile one,' they called her - became pregnant!� God's promise to you will come true too." [27]

�� He continues to back up.� Slowly.... Slowly....

�� Mary wants to believe him.� In her heart of hearts somehow she does believe.�

�� If she can just talk to Elizabeth herself.

�� "I am the Lord's servant," she states emphatically, "and always have been!"

�� Now for the commitment, Mary.� You can do it.� Grab hold of your commitment before it flies away.

� �� "I am willing to do whatever God wants."� Mary stands up to walk toward the angel.� "Somehow I believe.� Everything you said.� It will come true.� Finally it will come true."

�� His work done, Gabriel backs through the bench....

through the rooftop wall....suspended now over the street below....fading....fading....gone. [28]

�� Mary walks up to the bench where the stranger had sat and feels it.� It is still solid as ever.� He indeed was an angel.� Then she turns and sits down in the bench where he had sat only moments earlier.�

�� She picks up the family's old scripture scroll, still turned to the passage in Daniel.� She reads it and re-reads it, then she prays.� She reads through the passages in Isaiah.��

�� She prays.� "Me, Lord?� Me???.... [29]

�� "Mary, it's nearly dark!� You're going to ruin your eyes reading like that.� You're too young to lose your eyesight.� Light a lamp."

�� Her mother is standing at the top of the stairs.� Quietly Mary follows her down and into the courtyard.

�� "Mother....� Father....� Grandmother....� Grandfather....� Little sister Salome....� I love you all."

�� "You're a good girl, Mary, but you look a little worn out."

�� "I'm going to bed early."

�� "Be sure and say your prayers."

�� "Oh yes, Father.� I will."

�� ....WELL, SON, I GUESS THIS IS IT.� YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE REDUCED TO A MINUSCULE FERTILIZED EGG, HIDDEN DEEP IN MARY'S LITTLE WOMB.� BUT SON, I WON'T FORGET YOU EVEN THERE. [30]��� MARY'S ABOUT READY FOR YOU.

�� HEAVENLY FATHER AND HEAVENLY SON EMBRACE.� THE ANGELS STAND AROUND WATCHING, SOME BRUSHING AWAY TEARS.� GABRIEL SMILES.� ��

�� GOOD-BYE, FATHER....��

�� Yes.� It is night.� But Satan has been silenced.� Now it is indeed silent night.� Indeed holy night.� The dawn comes.� And with it all that is calm and all that is bright.

��LIFE APPLICATION����

1.�� Ancient original documents survive today of the writings of the prophets.� They originated hundreds of years before Jesus was born and predicted one fact after another of Jesus' life.� A good single source citing many such documents is Josh McDowell's two very large books entitled, EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT.� If proof the Bible is true is a point of concern for you, are you willing to find out about these documents for yourself?

2.�� To some, a teenager was too young to bear the Son of God.� What is something you want to do that you are too young or old for, too bad or mixed up for, too uneducated or educated for, too rich or poor for?� How can you direct your life starting today to do it anyway?

3.�� Although very frightened, Mary did not try to run away from the angel of God.� Some things about God frighten us.� In what ways have you perhaps tried to run from God?� What can you do to stand still and listen to God?

4.�� God offered Mary an unbelievable blessing.� But to have it, she had to accept it.� God wants to bring all mankind back to life after they die to life forever.� Do you think this would be worth believing just in case it is true?

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws