December 24, 2013

IDEAS ON TUESDAYS 141

Each Tuesday, rather than a POSSIBLY IRRITATING ESSAY, I'd like to both challenge you and lend a helping hand. I generate more speculative and teen story ideas than I can ever use. My family rolls its collective eyes when I say, "Hang on a second! I just have to write down this idea..." Here, I'll include the initial inspiration (quote, website, podcast, etc) and then a thought or two that came to mind. These will simply be seeds -- plant, nurture, fertilize, chemically treat, irradiate, test or stress them as you see fit. I only ask if you let me know if anything comes of them.

H Trope: Precognition of death/murder/execution
Current Event: Christmas Eve

NOT MY USUAL FARE, BUT SOMETHING FOR THE SEASON: Joseph, Mary’s betrothed and then her husband knew exactly what is going to happen to the Son he’d been charged with raising. Matthew 1:20-21 says it all: “But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’”

Joseph was Jewish. He KNEW that the atonement of sin was bought with BLOOD – of rams, sheep, doves…lambs. Whatever, atonement was a bloody business and the Angel of the Lord said in his dream that Jesus would save His people from their sins. So here’s my story:

Joseph lay in bed, staring at the ceiling while noises in the kitchen in the courtyard let him know that the women of the household – including his newly betrothed, Mary – were up and at work.

How could he tell her about his dream? He could be blunt...
 
“Mary? Can I talk to you for a second?”

She looked over her shoulder, arms floured and white to her elbows, almost masking the glowingly olive skin. “Can’t you see I’m busy, man?” She smiled to take the sting out of her words.

“I have to tell you a dream I had.” She rolls her eyes, smiling and blushing faintly. The other women in the kitchen who were studiously not listening to the conversation, snicker and make rude noises and motions. Joseph felt the heat rise on his face, only adding oil to their lanterns of lust.

Mary laughed, straightened and strode to him across the kitchen as she dusted the flour from her arms onto a hand towel. Placing her hand on his chest, she gently pushed him back into the hallway…

Joseph in bed noticed the ceiling was blurred and cool tears rolling down his face to his neck. How could he tell her that their Son – her son? his son?

The Son of God.

How could he tell her that once their Son was born, his destiny was not to grow old. His destiny was not to marry and father children and become a feeble old man with children and grandchildren running around His feet.

His destiny was to remain pure, without blemish, without sex...and to be given to His real Father as a sacrificial lamb. The Lamb of God.

The angel of the Lord had left it to Joseph, a simple carpenter, to tell Mary the Mother of God – that her Son was to be murdered to cover the sins of all men.

Joseph found himself sore afraid…

Names: Ancient Hebrew ; ♂ Ancient Hebrew  

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