The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg Read Free Book Online

his wife.
    Anne smiled. “Of course I shall. Remember that I, too, know of messages from angels.”
    “Mother,” Mary said. She regretted suddenly not having revealed everything that had happened to her yesterday. She had not told Anne about the Greek, though this was not to deceive her mother but to protect her. Now Mary wondered if she had been wrong in this, if she should tell her mother of that experience after all. And surely she should offer some words that her mother might bring to Joseph. But no words would come.
    Anne embraced Mary, then kissed her forehead. “Stay with Elizabeth and help her until her child is born.”
    Mary understood. It would take long for a resolution to be agreed upon. Joseph would not yet be receptive to any words from her. She would wait on the will of God, and hope with all her heart for Joseph’s understanding.
    “Are you ready, my daughter?” Joachim asked. Their donkey, loaded with supplies, shook his head against a fly, and his harness jingled. There was a sad gaiety in the sound: the excitement of a journey tempered by the reason for it.
    Mary nodded, and then she and her father began their long walk south. It would take four days or more to arrive at the home of Zechariah, the ancient priest, and his equally elderly wife, Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, whom the angel had vowed was with child. For a long while Mary and her father did not speak, each busy with thoughts of the journey ahead, and beyond.

CHAPTER SIX

    Judea
    Mary
    HEY CAME OUT OF SAMARIA AND INTO THE hills of Judea in late afternoon and, tired and thirsty, made their way to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who lived just outside of Jerusalem. Joachim watered and tethered the donkey, and Mary pushed open the door of the house, calling her cousin’s name.
    Elizabeth appeared and, beaming, rushed forward to greet her visitors. “Joachim! Mary! How wonderful to see you!” She stopped suddenly and put her hand to her side, and Mary saw that what the angel had said of Elizabeth was true. “My child moved so within me!” Elizabeth said, laughing. She moved to embrace Joachim and then took Mary’s face between her hands, smiled, and touched foreheads with her. Then her face grew full of wonder as she said, “You, too, are with child! Bless you and the fruit of your womb!”
    Mary stepped back, saying nothing. Beside her, her father hung his head.
    Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “And I see, too, that your child will be most exceptional! Oh, Mary! How am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord has come to visit me? Even the child in my womb leapt with knowing when he heard your greeting! Joachim, Joachim, is it not wonderful?”
    Joachim lifted his head and nodded at Elizabeth. He did not speak. Tears shone in his eyes.
    Mary’s heart ached for her father, who, despite their many talks on their journey, did not know what to think or whom to believe. All he knew was that his daughter, his most cherished, was with child, thus endangering both herself and her family. Also, albeit through no fault of her own, she had spoiled her betrothal, about which he had so often and so widely bragged. He feared what would happen when she returned. Women accused of adultery were stoned.
    Elizabeth lay her hand over her heart and spoke softly to Mary. “And you are blessed, too, to believe that what the Lord has said will be accomplished.”
    A deep feeling of love came over Mary then, and with it came a sense of great confidence. She would now be mother to her father, and comfort him. She stood straighter. “Yes, Elizabeth. And my soul magnifies God in praise of him. For he has come to me, a girl who is poor and undistinguished in any way. Despite my circumstances, he has honored me most profoundly, and the child within me is his own. He is all mighty, and for generations many have feared him because he has brought down those who are prideful; even rulers have fallen from their thrones. But in me, he has lifted up the humble.