Some believe Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born in Jerusalem, the daughter of Ann and Joachim. Others believe she was born in Nazareth. An ancient record points to the town of Sepphoris as her birth place. It is located a few miles from Nazareth.
Wherever she was born, Mary's life unfolded in the strict Jewish town of Nazareth, in the hills of Galilee. The Jews were strong and robust. The climate was dry. The people never knew if there would be enough rain, or if locusts would destroy their crops. These certainties made the people of Galilee closer and more hard working. The struggle to make a living strengthened their faith and deepened their religious spirit. They learned to always depend on God.
Mary lived in rural Galilee in a house made of mud-brick and stone. She passed the days with hard work. She prepared meals of beans, vegetables, eggs, figs and, on occasion, mutton. She had no modern conveniences. She ground barley and wheat into flour, turned wool into clothing, fed donkeys and chickens and helped care for the children of the village. Each day water had to be carried in large jars from the village well for cooking, washing and drinking. (The well is still used today to supply Nazareth with water. It is called "Mary's Well.") Women met at the well to talk and trade. They knew that cleanliness prevented disease. Therefore, frequent washing was a part of their religion.
In October, when the rains came, Mary could be found sowing wheat in the fields. If all went well, the crop would be harvested in May.
In September, Mary and her family would knock the olives from the trees, then press them to make oil for lamps and cooking. Figs were picked in May and June. Grapes were harvested in September. Often, God blessed the people of Galilee with bountiful crops, but they were faithful in their prayers, praise and thanksgiving.
Mary learned about life from the people of Nazareth. Strangers seldom visited the town. It lacked wealth, culture and learning, but was rich in life. Mary saw children born, celebrated the holidays of her people and attended marriages and funerals. Mary lived with joy and sorrow. From these she learned life's greatest lessons.
Mary had a strong faith. Moral standards in Nazareth were high. In a society where men were most important, she would only be recognized as a homemaker, wife and mother. When she was still in her teens, her parents betrothed her to Joseph, a carpenter. After the engagement took place, she returned home to wait a year before going to live with her husband.
 |
 |
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Mary M. Alward's Canadian Tourism topic, please visit the Discussions page.