What Was Her Name?
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
“What was her name?” The director of Social Services asked the caseworker at their weekly meeting. “Isn’t she the one living out on the Dugout Road in McDowell County?
“Yes, her name is Marre, and she had an unbelievable story to tell.”
“Well, for once, we’ve got a few minutes. Let’s hear it.”
“OK, here’s a shorten version. But first, let me give you a little background info. Marre is 16 years old. She is running the house including four younger siblings and taking care of her old grandmother. Mom and dad both died from pneumonia last winter. She is doing a remarkable job with taking care of all of them. All are fed and clothed thanks to Jose, her boyfriend, who is older and has a steady job as a trade carpenter. His work is excellent and he is reasonable. They all go to church and she even sings in their little choir. Marre says her faith is what gets her through each day.”
*****
So her story goes, she was making bread one morning and this huge, bright angel lit the room. He told her that she was going to have a baby and would name him Jesus. She freaked out because she and Jose had never even had sex so how could she get pregnant without sex. The angel told her not to worry. Her faith would get her through.
Marre told Jose but he didn’t believe her story and she went home with a sad heart. That night, the same angel visited Jose and told him the exact same story. He finally believed her. He was a man of great faith as well. He did ask her to marry him to make it look proper. They kept the Baby a secret.
Anyway, he ran into immigration problems just about the time the baby was due. She begged her sister to come watch the kids while they went to the city to get things resolved. While they were there, the baby Boy was born. They did name Him Jesus. He was born at Cross Roads Pregnancy Care Center.
That’s when her story got really weird. She said that there were visitors that kept coming in to see Him. They told her a star over the building led them there. They looked at Him as if they all were seeing a miracle! They left with great smiles and an eagerness that couldn’t be explained…and the sky was twinkling! Shortly, a long, long line formed around the block and the police came to control the crowd. It lasted all night.
A couple days later, they went to Immigration. Of course, Marre carried baby Jesus and everyone wanted to see Him. Some people made mighty strange comments about being the One they’d been waiting for. The best news was that Jose was allowed to stay with Marre and Jesus. They went home as a family.
*****
“That is my take on her story. I don’t know how much is true but at least it was heartwarming and has a good ending.”
“WOW, you are right! That was a whopper!” Everyone was laughing except a one young woman on the far side of the table.
She cautiously raised her hand, “What if this is all true?”