In the town of Nazareth lives a maiden at a crossroads in life. She’s heavy with child, her belly shows the baby could come out any day now.
“The baby is due any day now,” she says to the man sitting with her in her parents’ house. They are alone.
“Mary, are you going to tell me something?” the man asks. He has heard rumors but he wants her to tell the truth.
“Nine months ago, when I visited my cousin Elizabeth, coming home from the marketplace, a Roman soldier waylaid me and abused me. I didn’t tell anybody but the soldier must have bragged about it.” Tears flow down her cheeks.
After a long silence, Joseph says, “I’ve heard about it... You know why I decided to go on with the wedding? I love you more than anything in the world. I’ll take care of the baby as if it were my own.”
“Thank you Joseph, you’re a kind man. God loves all creation,” she says as she clasps his hands tight.
“You’re right. The sun shines on both good and bad people. The Lord makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust (Mt 5.44-45).”
She is overcome with emotion. “Let’s not talk about it, or I can’t stop crying.”
Just then a knock at the door. It’s the midwife. After the pleasantries and usual questions, the midwife says, “Mary, what’s the child’s name?”
“He shall be called Jesus.”
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