CHAPTER 1

Mary

She was blessed from the start. Oh yes, there was something about the youngMary even from birth. She had the ideal beauty of her mother Anna, but hadthe soft brown eyes of her father, Joachim. Joachim and Anna were righteousin the sight of the Lord— virtuous and faultless before men.

Through her father Joachim, Mary was a direct descendant of the Leviteorder created by Aaron, Moses' brother. The Levites were God's begotten sonson the earth and they prayed and gave offerings for the sins of the people.God favored the Levites and the Angel of the Lord would often speak to itsmembers. Mary's parents were childless. Joachim and Anna prayed for a childand they vowed that if God should favor them with any offspring, they woulddevote the child to the service of the Lord. God honored their request.

The Holy Spirit came upon Anna and she was found with child. A girlwas born to Joachim and Anna the next year and they named her Miriam/Mary. Anna and Joachim dedicated Mary to God from birth. As a Levitepriest, Joachim always took his daughter with him to the temple and Marywas educated in the temple of the Lord in a loft out of view of the other men.Mary spent most of her time at the temple and she served the Lord nightand day, fasting and praying, and she abstained from every unclean thing,and never knew any man. She remained devoted to the service of the Lord.Every day Mary had conversations with the angels, and every day she receivedvisitors from God which preserved her from all sorts of evil. She would notdepart from the temple until she had arrived at the year of discretion—theage of fourteen.

CHAPTER 2

The Marriage of Joseph and Mary

"Stand still, Miriam!" Anna placed beads on the tight veil that covered theface of her daughter, Mary. The young virgin stood nervously as her motheradorned her wedding garments with special beads and expensive ornaments.Mary was going to marry a well to do carpenter named Joseph— a mantwenty-five years her senior. Mary began to cry. Her mother knelt down ather feet and asked her why she was crying.

"I do not know this man. I do not know any man. What am I supposedto do with him?"

Anna tried not to laugh, but her daughter's innocence was endearing. "Heis a good man and he will love you always, my child."

"But I am scared, Mother. I have never done this before. I, I don't—"

"None of us have ever done this until we do it. Blessed is the woman thatGod provides a husband," Anna said.

Anna touched the shoulder of her child. "Do not worry, Miriam. I hadthe same anxiousness when I was promised to your father and look at menow." The two women smiled. A servant came forth and said to Anna, "It istime."

Mary came forth from the room, into the corridor. She took a deep breathas she entered the courtyard and took hold of Joseph's hand. The priest readfrom the scrolls of God and then spoke to the people.

"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has given these two in aholy union. As He first did in the Garden of Eden, God has ordained thecommitment of marriage. At one time God said unto all of the Adams knownas mankind, `Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.' The Adamswent unto the female Adams and bore many children unto them in the gardenon earth all without sin. When mankind was plentiful in the large garden,God put the male Adams to sleep and showed them a vision.

"A rib was taken from his body and a female Adam was formed that wasmade especially for him and him alone. The male Adam named the femaleAdam, `wo-man.' This means she has come from the womb of the man andshe is to be adjoined to him as one, forever. This is why the scriptures said: `Letthe male leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife.' Amen."

The witnesses at the wedding responded, "Amen. Let it be so."

The priest continued. "Joseph, son of Jacob and Rebecca, will you lovethis maiden and protect her in the sight of God?"

"I will do such, forever."

"Miriam, daughter of Joachim and Anna, will you honor your newhusband and forsaking all others, obey him completely in the sight ofGod?"

Mary looked over at her mother. Anna smiled and nodded at her. Thenervous Mary said to the priest, "I will do as such, forever."

The priest said unto the congregation, "What YHWH the God ofAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob has put together as one, let no man separate them.Amen. Let it be so." And the people said also, "Amen. Let it be so."

The priest took Joseph and Mary by the hands and presented them asman and wife. Joseph and Mary celebrated their union with their families andfriends through dance, laughter and joy. When all things were accomplishedduring the celebration feast, Mary's mother and Joseph's mother went insidethe bridal chamber. The two matriarchs' duty was to perform the HebrewRitual of Purity. The two elderly women disrobed Mary and reached betweenher legs and inspected her to make sure that her hymen was intact. Then theyannounced to the crowd that she was pure! The crowd erupted into cheersof joy.

The family saluted Joseph as he entered the bridal chamber. Mary'smother Anna began to reflect on her daughter. She shed joyful tears while herhusband Joachim held her tightly. When Joseph went forth behind the curtainthe celebration continued. Joseph and Mary consummated their marriageinside of the wedding chamber as husband and wife.

CHAPTER 3

The Birth Announcement

Mary grew to love her husband greatly, for he was very compassionate to her.Joseph loved his wife greatly and he would spend many nights loving herand holding her within his arms for months; often forsaking his carpentrybusiness. One day, word was sent to Joseph that work was needed on a templein Ethiopia; where the last remnant of the pure, untouched bloodline tribesof Judah worshipped.

"Miriam, I most go forth unto the Nubians and construct the temple ofGod. I do not know how long I will be."

"Then I will wait here for you."

"The area is unsafe and I want you to go unto the home of your father,Joachim until I return." Mary nodded and obeyed her husband's request.Joseph girded himself and left with his servants unto Ethiopia and the landof the Nubians. He was gone from Mary for three months.

One day after coming out of a local market, Mary's elderly father, Joachimwas savagely scourged and beaten by two Roman soldiers. Joachim had cutthem off as they were walking down the street. When Mary witnessed theoppression she went to her father and laid her body over his. One of theRoman soldiers picked her up.

"Harlot! Why did you get in my way?" The soldier struck Mary across theface and she fell to the ground. He kicked Mary in her stomach and she yelledout in pain. Some nearby Jews saw the injustice of the two soldiers and cameforth, standing in front of the fallen Joachim and Mary—blocking them fromthe soldiers. When the two soldiers realized the Jews outnumbered them, theydeparted from the market and returned unto their own camps.

Mary stood and wiped the dust from her garments. "Why are the soldiersso harsh with us, Father?"

Joachim stood to his feet. "We have brought these things on ourselves, mychild. One day our people will come together as one and offer up our souls asan offering for our sins. Then will we hear from heaven and God will forgiveour sins and heal our lands." Two of the local merchants carried Joachim alongwith Mary back to his home, and Anna and the servants cared for them.

During the night Mary prayed unto her God. "Oh Merciful One, Ibeseech you. When will our people hear your voice again, as I do? Whenwill our people again be your chosen ones? Will you continue to laugh atour calamity? Will you continue to hide thyself from us while we suffer suchindignation at the hands of our enemies?"

When she had thus spoken the words, the Angel of the Lord appearedunto Mary. The young maiden fell prostrate at His feet and worshiped theAngel of the Lord— for it was well known that when one of these sons of Godwould appear, they were known as the word of God made flesh.

The Archangel Gabriel was one of the angels who entertained and playedwith Mary during her youth. Mary was special and blessed among women.This was the only way to explain how even the archangels would come untoher and commune with her.

"Daughter of man, I am sent to give you the answers that you seek,"Gabriel said.

Mary raised her head and looked upon the face of the angel. "Father, whyare these things that we suffer allowed to be as they are?"

"Your father, Joachim's words are true. Your people suffer because theyhave disobeyed my laws and my statutes. They have shunned the God ofyour fathers and they have assimilated themselves to the gods of their slavemasters."

"But Father, when will we return to our former glory—the glory that youhad once bestowed upon us?"

"The hearts of the people are not just, because their priests and prophetshave led them astray," the angel said.

"What can be done about these things? Will our people learn the truth?"Mary asked.

"Rest assured young one, the Word of the Lord is true. I say unto you, achild is born on this very day in the city of Judaea unto the house of Zachariasand Elizabeth. Zacharias will name him soon." The angel spoke the prophecyof the wild prophet who ate the locust and wild honey in the wilderness. (Hethat has an ear let him hear and understand this truthful saying.)

The angel continued speaking. "The child will grow strong and he willbe as my servant Elijah once was. He will be my messiah and my anointedson. I will send him unto my people and he will speak to them—but not inthe temples or the vain sanctuaries of men.

"He will speak my words unto the people in the wilderness. He will standin my presence beneath me and he will cause many people to turn away fromthe gods of Grecia and Rome and turn once again unto me. He will say tothem: `Fear the great and terrible Day of the Lord! The kingdom of God isat hand! Repent and serve the God of your father lest He come and smite theearth with a curse.'"

Mary smiled. "Praise God for this blessing that he will soon bestow onus."

"Miriam, daughter of man, until that time the Jews will suffer muchcalamity and they must suffer for their iniquities; for the Jews have becomeexceedingly sinful." Mary had a sad look on her face. "But not all of us havedone so. You have shown favor to my mother and my father and you haveloved me greatly.

"You have answered correctly. Because of the righteousness of your fatherJoachim, his seed was also blessed."

Gabriel spoke of Mary's birth and the favor of God that was on her. "Justlike your father Joachim, your husband Joseph is also a righteous man in theeyes of God. He is a descendant of David, my friend, and he has found favorin God. His seed will also be blessed."

Mary smiled at the angel's words but she did not perceive their meaning.When the Angel spoke of Joseph, Mary began to long for her husband's armsaround her. She began to think of his long journey among the land of theNubians. She sighed greatly. The angel lowered his head and pointed to Mary."Miriam, your seed will be blessed as well."

Mary looked up at the angel and again smiled.

"All praises be unto you for blessing me and my seed when it is ourtime."

"Miriam, your time is at hand."

Mary marveled at the words of Gabriel and became confused. "It is mytime?"

"Time for what LORD?"

The angel leaned in toward her. "Hail Miriam, wife of Joseph theCarpenter, you who is highly favored. The Lord is with you: blessed are youamong women."

Mary became troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what mannerof salutation this should be.

The angel said, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring fortha son, and will call his name Yeshua, which means: `God is Salvation.' Whenthe son of Zacharias will have performed his work unto the Lord, I will callyour seed unto me. Just as the son of Zacharias the priest, your seed will alsobe my messiah— my anointed son.

"I will sanctify your son and send him into the world to speak my words.Just like Moses and my other sons, the prophets—though your seed will bemade of flesh, he will be unto the Jews the word upon the earth."

Gabriel looked toward heaven and heard the Word of God. He thenturned again to Mary and said, "If the Jews repent unto his words, then theLord God will make a new covenant with the Jews and give your seed as kingand I will give unto him the throne of his father David."

Mary shook her head in disbelief. "Father, how will this be, seeing thatmy husband has been gone for three months and I have not known the touchof any man since?"

"The consummation between you and your husband was ordainedby God. The Holy Spirit came upon you, and the power of the Highestovershadowed you during your consummation. The number of months ofyour conception is three. Therefore, also that Holy thing which will be bornof you and your husband will also be called a son of God."

Mary lowered her head at the feet of the Angel of the Lord and worshipedGod.

CHAPTER 4

The Birth of Jesus

During the months that followed, Mary sent word unto her husband Josephthat she was found with child. However, Joseph could not be found by theservants. Mary became worried and did not know of her husband's fate.

"Mother, I do not know what has happened. Word has not returned aboutJoseph and he has not returned unto me," Mary cried.

"Do you think he has found another wife and has left me for her?"Mary asked. Anna comforted her daughter and smiled. "You know thatyour husband is a carpenter and a traveler for King Herod. There will bemany times that you will not hear from him for a time. Fear not Miriam mychild. Trust in the words of your God and believe." Mary shook her head inagreement.

JOSEPH AND THE ANGEL

When word reached Joseph that Mary was pregnant, he became saddenedby the announcement. Joseph perceived that the child could not be his childbecause of the short time of consummation with his wife. When the servanttold Joseph the words of Mary, Joseph remained in Ethiopia and told theservant not to tell Mary that he was seen. The servant returned to the houseof Joachim and to Mary. Joseph loved his wife and became distraught inhis heart. He was a just man, and was not willing to bring forth accusationsagainst his wife, making her a public example. Joseph thought to give her abill of divorcement, according to the laws of Moses.

But while he thought on these things, the Angel of the Lord appeared tohim in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of Jacob and descendant of my friendDavid, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife: for that which is conceivedin her was conceived during your consummation and was ordained andovershadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Joseph began to smile within his sleep. The angel continued. "Son ofman, rise up in the morning hour and depart unto the home of Joachim andAnna.

Upon your return you will witness the birth of your firstborn son andyou will call his name Yeshua (also called Jesus)—for he will speak my wordsand will save many of his people from their sins."

Once the angel had spoken the words, Joseph arose from his sleep andbowed his head prostrate toward the east. Joseph, the son of Jacob, praisedthe Lord for what he had done and for the blessing of a new son. When theservants heard Joseph, the Holy Spirit of God entered them and they beganto dance around Joseph, praising God for what He had done throughout thenight.

The next morning, Joseph did as the angel had said. He girded himselfand returned quickly unto the house of Joachim and Anna to be with his wifeuntil it was her time. According to their way, Joseph did not consummate withhis wife again until she had brought forth their firstborn son. When the childwas born Joseph took him from the midwife into his arms and went out intothe night. He lit a fire in the darkness and raised the child up into the sky andsaid, "Father, God of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob, all praises to you!You are a merciful God to my house, for you have blessed me with a seed. Hisname will be called Yeshua, which means: God is Salvation."

"For in the day you will choose him as your son, He will hear your wordsand go forth from heaven. He will come again unto the Lost House of Israel andturn them away from the gods of the Gentiles and turn them back to you. Yourwords he will speak from heaven and He will cause many to repent and He willsave His people from their sins."

After the child was circumcised according to God's Law, Joseph offeredthe child to God and he returned into the house until a sacrificial offeringcould be made in the temple on the seventh day of the child's birth.