Interview with a Mother

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

The man and women looked rather ragged. They had been traveling for a long time to reach Bethlehem. They had known hardship together over the last few months and had bonded ever so close in their relationship. Their story was a unique one and they knew it. They felt blessed by God and the only thing that kept them from fear was the trust they had in their Heavenly Father. Their immediate problem was finding a place to spend the night. Mary was very pregnant and might possibly give birth tonight. Joseph told her to wait while he tried to find lodging for the night. Mary agreed and pulled closer the thin rough blanket that covered her shoulders.

 

Mary looked up into the clear night sky and thought of the child that was within her. What a privilege to carry such a gift of God.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Startled, Mary glanced down from the donkey she was on and noticed an old man staring up at her.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Excuse me. I don’t mean to bother you but I’m a historian and I am interviewing people concerning their travels to Bethlehem. Would you have a few minutes to answer some questions?”

 

“Well I’m waiting for my husband, so I suppose I could answer your questions until he returns.”

 

“Is he looking for lodging?”

 

“Why yes he is.”

 

“I doubt he will find anything. With the requirements of the census, Bethlehem is very overcrowded. If you’ll grant me this interview I might have an idea about where you can stay if he doesn’t find anything.”

 

“We would appreciate that. What would you like to ask me?”

 

“Well I suppose you’re here for the census?”

 

“Yes. We’ve traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem because my husband Joseph is a member of the house and line of David.”

 

“And I see you’re with child. When is it due?”

 

“Any day now. I’m afraid possibly even tonight.”

 

“How blessed I am to talk with such a lucky mother. May I ask you to tell me something about your feelings of traveling as a woman with child?”

 

“Well I have a most amazing story to tell you of who my child is and how he was conceived.”

 

“Oh I don’t think I need to know about how the child was conceived. Those are details that are commonly known and very private.”

 

“Oh but you don’t understand. My child was conceived by God.”

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

“Well Joseph and I were engaged to be married and one night an angel of God appeared to me. His name was Gabriel and he said these exact words to me when he appeared, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”

 

“Were you scared? I mean to have an angel of the Lord appear must have been frightening?”

 

“Well while I wasn’t afraid of the angel but I was troubled by why he would appear to me. I couldn’t understand why God would send an angel to me. I mean I’m no one special at all. So I asked what he meant by his words. So the angel said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.’”

 

The old man’s mouth dropped wide open in amazement. His eyes grew big as open wells wishing to be filled with the marvelous truth of the story of this special child.

 

“So what did you say to the angel? Gabriel, that was his name right?”

 

“Yes his name was Gabriel. Well I was very, very confused for I was a virgin. How was I to have a child if I had never known a man, never known Joseph? So I asked Gabriel how this could be true.”

 

“What did he say? How did he explain it?”

 

“This is what he said, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.’”

 

“That’s amazing.”

 

“Yes. You see the angel Gabriel actually told me of two miracles. One was of the miracle of Elizabeth who is very old and barren but through the power and grace of God she was granted the privilege of having a child. The second miracle concerned me, a virgin, to become pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit to bring the Savior of the world to all mankind.”

 

“So what did you say to Gabriel in response?”

 

“Well it took me a few minutes. I mean I was overwhelmed at what he said to me. But once I gathered my wits about me and realized the honor that God had bestowed upon me I told him that I was God’s servant and whatever God wished to do in my life I was willing to accept. I did not speak these words without conviction. I knew and understood that many people would not understand. I was not even sure how Joseph my fiancée would respond.”

 

“How did he respond?”

 

“Well we were pledged to one another but had not yet been together in an intimate way. Soon after the angel appeared to me I began to sense that I was pregnant. I explained all I have told you to Joseph. I believe he was confused at first. You have to understand what I was telling him must have been very hard to comprehend. I believe what helped him was his love for me and his love for God. He trusted me and he trusted that God was working in our lives. He knew that his faith was being tested and because of his commitment to God he was able to accept what I told him. Being a righteous man of God he wanted to spare me any public embarrassment so he proceeded to see about how we could divorce quietly so as not to draw attention to the situation. But God did not want this to happen. God had mercy on us and sent an angel to speak with Joseph.”

 

“An angel?”

 

“Yes, an angel that spoke to Joseph to speak with him about what was happening and what he should do.”

 

“What did the angel say to Joseph?”

 

“Well he appeared in a dream to Joseph and said the following, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’”

 

“Amazing!”

 

“Yes and then the angel quoted from one of the Old Testament prophets. He said that all this would take place to fulfill what our Heavenly Father had spoken through Isaiah, ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel-which means, God with us.’”

 

“I’m overwhelmed with your story.”

 

Joseph returns from his search for lodging very discouraged.

 

“I can’t find a room anywhere.”

 

“If I may be so bold sir. Your wife has told me of your story and how God is working so greatly in your lives. I know an innkeeper who may have a stable where you can stay. It is a very humble place to put such a loving couple but I believe it may be the only lodging you will find tonight.”

 

“I’ll take anything at this point. I’m sure God has directed you into our lives to provide this opportunity. I thank you for your help. Is there anyway I can repay you?”

 

“I ask for nothing except for the privilege of visiting you after your child is born. I must learn more of this precious child you carry.”

 

“Yes of course. I am sure God would want you to learn more of His Son. We would be honored to have you as a guest.”

 

“Thank you. I am sure I will hear great things about your son and how he will serve our mighty God.”

 

 

 

“The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:6-7