The Christmas season brings me pictures of the baby Jesus lying in swaddling clothes, kept warm in the arms of his young mother Mary. I imagine a previous scene — of Mary going to the home of her cousin Elizabeth and telling her the good news of her bearing the Savior in her womb. Just think — of the two women jumping with joy, their hearts brimming with wonder and gratitude at their unspeakably blessed state. Elizabeth herself is big with child — having become pregnant after many years of being barren; her son John, according to Scriptures, would preach on Jordan River that someone whose sandals he would not be worthy to touch would be coming to their midst.
Who was Mary?
A rereading of the Scriptures, conveniently through the Internet, tells us that Mary was the wife of Joseph, the mother of Jesus Christ, who was conceived within her by the Holy Spirit when she was a virgin. Our source, Dear Christian Answers, writes that Mary is often called the “Virgin Mary,” though never in Scripture are those two words put together as a proper known.
Of her personal history, Dear Christian Answers notes that her genealogy is traced to the tribe of Judah and the linage of David. She is related by marriage with Elisabeth, who is of the lineage of Aaron. While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, before she became the wife of Joseph, the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah. After this she went to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who was living with her husband Zacharias, in the neighborhood of Maon, at a considerable distance, about 100 miles, from Nazareth. Immediately on entering the house she was saluted by Elisabeth as the mother of her Lord, and then immediately gave her hymn of thanksgiving. After three months Mary returned to Nazareth to her own home.
Joseph was made aware of her condition, and took her to his own home. Soon after this the decree of Augustus required that they should proceed to Bethlehem, some 80 or 90 miles from Nazareth; and while they were there they found shelter in the inn or khan provided for strangers. But as the inn was crowded, Mary had to retire to a place among the cattle, and there she brought forth her son, who was called Jesus, because he was to save his people from their sins.
This was followed by the presentation of the child in the temple, the flight into Egypt, and their return in the following year and residence at Nazareth. There for 30 years Mary, the wife of Joseph the carpenter, resided, filling her own humble sphere, and pondering over the strange things that had happened to her. During these years only one event in the history of Jesus is recorded, viz., his going up to Jerusalem when he was 12 years old, and his being found among the doctors in the temple.
Dear Christian Answers notes that after the commencement of our Lord’s public ministry little notice is taken of Mary. She was present at the marriage in Cana. A year and a half after this we find her at Capernaum, where Christ uttered the memorable words, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!” The next time we find her is at the cross along with her sister Mary, and Mary Magdalene, and Salome, and other women. From that hour John took her to his own abode. She was with the little company in the upper room after the Ascension. From this time she wholly disappears from public notice. The time and manner of her death are unknown.
Four months ago, I was with a group of journalists invited to visit Turkey. In Ephesus, we were taken to the House of Virgin Mary, located on top of the “Bulbul” mountain nine kilometers ahead of Ephesus. Literature given us said Mary must have been taken to the place by Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity.
A nun discovered the location of her resting place through a vision. The house is a typical Roman architectural example entirely made of stones. An endless stream of tourists flocks to the place, drink or tap water on their faces as they pray for health, love, and prosperity.