Mary, Mother of God…

MARY’S MARRIAGE and Birth Of Jesus

- the Wedding (the Marriage).

In the Betrothal was the Contract of Marriage that could be written or oral. In both caseswere the presence of witness because at that moment they combined what the bride would (was the Engagement), Conduction (intermediate period) receive as gifts.

Once Accomplished,the last act for the perfect marriage… in agreement with the designs of GOD, many parties were celebrated during Joseph’s and Mary’s Marriage.

In that time the Marriage was constituted of three parts: Betrothal law, among the Betrothal (Engagement) and the Celebration of the Wedding or Nuptials an interval of time until twelve month was allowed to elapse. This period was called Conduction. In this period, lived separate the engaged couple, but they could use matrimony’s rights, because of the Contract of Marriage which granted them ownership in the strict sense. If they had children in this period, the offspring were considered legitimate.

In the day of the Wedding Celebration, in the afternoon, the bridegroom went into bride’s house with pomp clothes accompanied by friends and musicians. Then, the retinue was formed full of great pomp and joy. At the same time, groups of virgins danced and sang verses and bringing in one hand a garland of flowers and in the other hand a lamp. Cymbals, drums, fifes and flutes roared enthusiastically to invite people to participate in the same happiness. The climax of all Marriage was the banquet. When a married couple passed through the door to enter into their home, this began the Matrimonial Banquet. Generally, the party continued for one week, and it was always motived by much confraternization and congratulations among the participants. Certainly, Joseph’s Marriage and MARY was of the same way.

JESUS’S BIRTH

- In that time Israel was occupied by Rome’s military power. Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, decreed an edict ordering the census in the occupied territories. In the land of the Jews the census was accomplished by Públio Suplício Cyrinus, Governor Syria’s that made the orientation. He had imposed an edict that all people must be registered in the military installed in the city where they were born.

Joseph who was born in Bethlehem anf had to travel to accomplish his civic duty which was imposed by the Roman power.

He traveled with his wife … SHE was in the last stage of pregnancy. For that reason they could not travel in a caravan with many people following the main highway. The couple had to use shortcuts and secondary roads and followed only the road that would be calm and slow, using meek donkeys. They must have made several stops in solitary places and at night they sought a place in safety to rest without danger. Thus, they surpassed the most dangerous route between Nazareth and Jerusalem with great patience and persistence, and then they went on to Bethlehem, the distance was only eight kilometers.

Lodging was made in relatives’ and friend’s house, or in a fabric hut, or in grottos or in the “Khan” (Dog Palestinian). It was a shelter where travelers and caravans stayed protected from outlaws and thieves. Its construction was made with stones in rectangular format and cement, with very high walls and one only door. In the top of the walls there were two or three sentinels, where armed guards were and always alerts.
Inside the “Khan” next to the walls there was a roof with canvas in the middle covering where people stayed in. The animals and the loads were placed in the central part in the open air.

When Joseph and MARY arrived at Bethlehem there was a crowd of people because they were in the last days of the census. Therefore, they didn’t find any satisfactory shelter, although they had looked for the relatives’ and friend’s houses. Certainly, if they would have looked for a place to stay in the “Khan” they would have found because in the “Khan” had always place for one more. However, it was not advisable. They would have to stay with people from all kinds of levels and habits under a canvas covering or in the open air in the middle of the animals. There, everybody together: they ate, slept, negotiated, discussed, fought, were born and died, under the curious look of those present.

MARY and Joseph would not allow the BOY-GOD’s birth to happen in that place, in the middle of such confusion, under the curious glances from the crowd. Thus, they went to a grotto that at times was used as stable. The grotto silence and the isolation was still a place more worthy and respectful for Jesus to be born.
As soon as they have arrived there, Joseph started to work with his tools in order to prepare that place adequately for both.

“And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn“.(Luke 2.6-7)

So, came true a prophecy about JESUS’ birth, the CHRIST SAVIOUR. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we have seen HIS glory, the glory of the only begotten SON of the FATHER.) , full of grace and truth“. (John 1.14)

By Anton Mengs

After the census has finished the Sacred Family has moved to a small house in Bethlehem.

From: www.geocites.com