I have been lazy as of late and I have not posted anything. Since it is Christmas I thought I would shake off my laziness for a post on Mary, Mother of Jesus. This post is difficult to write because we really don't know that much about Mary and it is hard to separate fact from theology; especially concerning someone so mystical as Mary.
Mary was the daughter of Joachim (or Heli) and Anna; both of whom were canonized as saints. Mary's father descended from the royal house of David and it is supposed that Anna descended from the priestly house of Aaron. Joachim and Anna lived for a time in Sepphoris, a large city in Lower Galilee and archaeological evidence suggests it was a city of wealth. Mary, however, was most likely born in Jerusalem in a house called Probatica. Other traditions believe she was born in Bethlehem which is less likely.
According to Jewish law, the first born male was "presented" in Temple. This would also take place for favored or special children. It is believed that Mary was presented in Temple and took a vow of virginity. Some early Christian writings state that this took place when Mary was only three. The Catholic Church does not specify a particular age during their Celebration of the Presentation. Mary remained at the Temple, or at least visited it every day to be educated and there she is reported to have received daily visits from holy angels.
Jewish law considered girls marriageable at the age of 12 1/2. Marriage was preceded by the betrothal, which meant the girl belonged to her husband but did not live with him for another year when the marriage was finally celebrated. When Mary was fourteen, the High Priest wished her to be married, but Mary reminded him of her vow of virginity. The High Priest consulted with God and then called all the young men from the house (family) of David to the Temple. The High Priest promised Mary in marriage to the man whose rod (a shoot or stem from a woody plant) should sprout and become the resting place for the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. And as we all know, it was Joseph who won the privilege of becoming the human father to Christ.
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is related in the Bible in Luke 1:26-38. Mary was living in her parent's house, now believed to be in Nazareth, during her betrothal year when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. Gabriel told her that she would soon be with child, like her cousin Elizabeth who carried in her womb the future John the Baptist. Mary did not want to doubt the word of God but she did question Gabriel as to how this should come to pass since she "knew not man", meaning she was still a virgin. The Angel Gabriel assured her that her vow of virginity would remain intact.
Mary then went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and stayed in her home for some time. When she returned to her own home she was with child. Joseph knew nothing of the conception and was at first deeply hurt and perplexed. Eventually God visited Joseph and told him the truth of the child in Mary's womb. Not long after this visit from God, Joseph concluded his marriage rites with Mary.
Shortly after the conclusion of their marriage ritual the Emperor Augustus decreed a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. Joseph and Mary,who was nine months pregnant, had to travel to Bethlehem, the city of Joseph's lineage to enroll in the census and pay their tax. Thousands of people were traveling to the cities of their families origins. SO.....when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was of course "no room at the inn"....any of them. Historians and Religious Scholars believe this census took place in 8 B.C. Some time after arriving in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Theological dogma states that she felt no birth pains because the Mother of Christ was exalted from the punishment pronounced against Eve. Mary presented herself and her new born son to the Temple as decreed by Jewish law. This is supposedly when St. Simeon warned Mary of the troubles that would befall her son. The mystified and proud parents then returned to their home of Nazareth in Galilee.
Some time after returning home Joseph was warned to flee by a holy messenger, and so Joseph and Mary took flight to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. Not much is known about their time in Egypt. We do not have any accounts of where they lived or how they lived. They remained in Egypt until word of King Herod's death reached Joseph and they journeyed back to Nazareth.
Mary was considered a virgin both during her pregnancy and for some time after the birth of Christ. Eventually she and Joseph did unite in the marriage bed and there are references to brothers of Jesus. However, the Blessed Mother was and is still maintained as being without sin.
Mary chose to stay in the background during Jesus' apostolic years. She was considered a normal Jewish mother. Not much is known about her life during her son's life. Mary was probably there at Jesus' Crucifixion and at his Resurrection and Ascension. Joseph was much older than Mary and died well before the trials of Jesus.
Even less is known about Mary after Jesus' death. There is evidence that she lived for a time in Ephesus but her permanent home remained in Jerusalem. It is believed that she died in Jerusalem and that is where her tomb is located. Early Religious Scholars date Mary's death to A.D. 48. According to Catholic beliefs Mary did not die an earthly death but ascended into Heaven body and soul. The Feast of the Assension of the Blessed Virgin is celebrated on August 15th and is the oldest known feast dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Most of Mary's story can not be corroborated by hard facts. As with all mystical religious stories we must decide on our own to have faith. In this case we have to have faith in Mary; to have faith in the Immaculate Conception and to have faith that she was the Mother of Christ, the Savior.
There are quite a few biographies about the Blessed Virgin out there but like I said before, it is hard to separate hard facts and solid proof about Mary from the theological beliefs.
The Catholic Encyclopedia
Mary: A Flesh and Blood Biography of the Virgin Mother - Lesley Hazelton
The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Anne Catherine Emmerich
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