I am Mary!

Why would an angel come to visit me?

We have been reminded of things heavenly;

By the prophets who have led or admonished,

This Israel, the people chosen by trial;

A nation of tribesmen of the city and the pasture,

Who have been wanton of loyalty!

My father’s lineage was passed down,

To me; the story given of how we have grown!

The descendants of Abraham, who a covenant made,

To provide for a multitude, who would not be afraid,

To follow their own ways and who soon realized,

The rejection of God’s Word would leave them penalized.

My life is very ordinary!

I felt in my heart an appreciation,

For the bounty of the world and its simplicity.

There were struggles for which we grieved;

The tribes of Judah, a child unconceived,

Wanton and unfound, waiting for their own birthday celebration.

Birth! The process, the event of giving ongoing life.

The renewal of species, the continuation of the race!

How important is it that we should be renewed?

Nature is in a constant state of flux;

Every living cell experiences the same evolution,

Purely physical, certainly non-spiritual!

Procreation a human responsibility!

My question was, “Why Lord? Why me?”

What would prepare me to be a mother,

Where I had no concept and could not perceive

The demands that would lead me to conceive?

My time was not set for an event that I would consider.

My name is Mary.

My role, that of a Mother!

To a child who was to bring promise,

To this nation who have been wanting, most sadly!

The herald; to bring great news,

To offer a means for this people to be redeemed.

The gift of God was given to me;

The questing spirit seeking to grow!

A child who brought a trial and test,

To lead a parent in what was best.

Yet patience was tested as is the norm,

By a youngster who yearned to be a man.

What of Thee, My Lord?

Now that You have delivered

This world from suffering and pain;

By giving a life; without sin;

By delivering the birth of spirit,

To renew people from within!

What voice do I hear that offers comfort?

My breast has been filled with great sadness,

When I recollect You as a boy, playing,

Yet, studying those around you and seeing everything!

The questions You asked, I could not answer,

But You explored the reality and confirmed the Truth.

The teachers in the synagogue were amazed,

By Your depth of perception of all that You read.

They could not answer of Your enquiry,

“Why does mankind fall from God’s grace?”

They talked about the nature of men,

Of how Life offered little at the end of its span.

The lack of knowledge is the root of all evil!

Where man has learned something of this world,

There is greater struggle in not advancing,

To embrace the wonder and beauty of all that can be seen!

Knowledge can no longer be hidden,

The truth of man’s potential demands it be shown!

Many have been philosophers, interpreters and soothsayers.

They have offered much that is comforting;

Placebos can be expensive and demanding,

But alone they offer temporary inspiration.

There are few who have not profited;

There are few who have given a life for nothing!

I am Mary!

I can say that I have been sustained;

My Son has been as close as my God.

I have been comforted in my time of stress,

I have been upheld whenever I had doubt,

I know what it is to receive God’s care.

There was a tragic interlude to this vignette!

One man, a small band of followers,

Undisciplined, yet firm disciples,

Willing to be more than slave to position;

To past success, present or future reward;

To them the final question was delivered!

What will you give for eternal life?

To what value will you ascribe?

The gift of spirit, the knowledge that will live,

Beyond the darkest recess of grave and mind;

To this end God gave for our good,

The perfect answer to all we could ask!

May 22nd. 1996 © Will George.