The Obscure Years III

While the story of Jesus which centers around Bethlehem is a most important part of our faith tradition, another story took place in the life of Jesus before the Star brought the men from the east to the stable to see the holy child.  It is a story which took place nine months before Bethlehem in Nazareth.  It was in Nazareth that the angel appeared to Mary saying, "...you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you will name Him Jesus."  (Luke 1:31)   When Mary reminded Gabriel of the impossibility of what he was saying, the angel spoke again saying, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you..."  (Luke 1:35)    

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but He was conceived in Nazareth.  The eternal Light which shined before Creation and brought all things into being shined first in the darkness of Mary's womb as she went about the routine of her life in a place so small it would hardly be worth noting on a map.  The Word did indeed become flesh (John 1:14), but it began in a way that no one could see and no one would ever celebrate.   

There are stories inside the many stories of the people who lived and worked and died in Nazareth in those days, but there is no story like the one which began unnoticed by all who lived in that place.   And when the unknown began to be known in the body of this young girl, there were surely some who counted the months as fodder for the gossip mills.  And in such a way the story of the Holy One started in a small town where everyone knew everyone's business, or at least thought they did.