Mary's Visit

By Stan Peal

Summary

Mary is told she will give birth to the son of God, but the young teen has doubts and fears that she must grapple with before she can give her obedience to God.

Character

Mary, a young pregnant woman

Script

MARY.  Joseph will be back tomorrow. I don't know what to tell him. I should have told him right away. But now it's too late. When he comes back, he'll see for himself. I carry a child within me. I carry a baby inside. He'll never believe what really happened. I've never… I can't even believe it myself.

Yet I know it more truly than I've ever known anything. How could I not? Here is proof. Here inside me. I feel him, comforting me. Precious little one. He knows all will be well. He knows. I hope he's right.

It was the middle of the night. I was asleep and I dreamt of Joseph, walking in the golden sun. The light shone around him, such a beautiful, loving man. So kind and gentle, sometimes his smile was brighter than a thousand stars. I dreamt he smiled at me and the light became so intense, it hurt my eyes. And I woke up. But the light was still there.

The golden beams were streaming in through the window. The night was quiet, the heavy quiet of deepest night. I was so afraid, I tried to get under my bed, but I couldn't fit. I've grown too old to fit into hiding places. From the light came a voice so deep and soft, like a lion and a dove singing together. I'll never forget what the voice told me. Each word is forever on my heart…

"Do not be afraid Mary. For you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Holy Angel. How shall this be? I am not married. Joseph is not yet my husband.

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God"

But… I am a virgin.

"With God nothing is impossible"

Deep in my heart, I secretly spoke my fear. I am a virgin. I don't want to give birth, no matter who the child is to become. I'm not ready. I'm too young. A virgin, I'm just a girl. And Joseph. The shame he would have to endure. What if he became angry? The consequences for adultery, I could be… I want to be a good wife. A good, normal wife. I'm scared. Not me. I'm not the one for this miracle. Don't let it be me. Don't let it be me.

I was ready to cry. The angel was silent, waiting for an answer. The objections I spoke silently in my heart seemed to overflow up into my mouth and I parted my lips to speak, to give my refusal. I spoke firmly.

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.

And the angel left. And I was with child. And I wept. I wept with joy. The Lord is with me. I have given myself to him. I remember. Perfect obedience felt like… perfect freedom. What joy to give myself to His will. I need not be afraid.

Joseph will be back tomorrow. I do know what to tell him. And I am not afraid. For the Lord is with me. The miracle of the Lord is within me. Precious one. Precious gift. Thank you.

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