MYRIAM (Mary in Hebrew), was the greatest woman to ever walk this Earth, and then ascended into Heaven.
Chosen by Yahweh (God in Hebrew) to be the purest vessel for the birth of His son Christ Yeshua, Myriam was shocked when an angel appeared to her voicing this declaration.
As we prepare for the commemoration of The Messiah's birth tomorrow on December 25, forthcoming is a little story based on historical facts and enhanced by my heartfelt love for Myriam, written with the Star of Bethlehem twinkling in my eye:
It was a particularly scorching day in Nazareth, with the majority of its inhabitants seeking freshness under rooftops and canopies.
Their shofars sheathed in their side satchels ready to blow upon hearing the baby’s first cry, Joachim and his best friend Eleazer paced back and forth across the entrance of his beautiful home, sweating profusely.
Joachim’s elderly wife Hannah was carefully attended to by her mother Emerentia and sister Sobe ~ the mother of her cousin Elisabeth, as the contractions came closer and closer.
Pouring water over Hannah’s abdomen just drawn from the adjacent grotto, they kept her as cool and comfortable as possible.
Joachim was a wealthy retired Zadokian High Priest whose lineage descended from King David.
A High Priest played a key role in the religious system of the Israelites, serving as the intercessor between God and His people until Jesus arrived.
Joachim and Hannah attempted many times to conceive a child, but their prayers were not answered until very late in life.
Also a descendant from the line of King David, it was prophesized that Hannah would be the grandmother of Christ Yeshua.
Just as the temple bells pealed, a cry came out of the house. Myriam just took her 1st breath and Joachim and Eleazar blew their shofars 100 times as on Passover.
Upon hearing that wonderful sound of celebration, a multitude gathered in front of Joachim’s residence and the grotto, where fellow neighbors were already gathered awaiting the birth’s announcement.
Hannah had played the kinnor (harp) all of her life, emulating the tradition of her ancestor King David, who was known as “the sweet singer of Israel.”
Hebrew tradition honored the kinnor as a heralded sound reverberating through its strings, that resonated with heaven, earth and victory in spiritual warfare.
Hannah playing the kinnor all during her pregnancy, Myriam would stir gently in the womb upon Hannah commencing to strum.
As the gathering onlookers peered into Joachim’s and Hannah’s windows, they could see a beautiful olive-skinned infant, with ruddy cheeks and a full head of light brown hair.
They also noticed a light emanating from the newborn, interpreting it as sign that the prophecy of the Messiah’s mother was realized.
Just 3 years of age, Myriam was dedicated by Joachim and Hannah to the temple.
Legend has it that Myriam danced on the third step of the altar, and that "all of the house of Israel loved her."
Soon afterwards, she started expertly playing the kinnor herself and was admired by all of her neighbors as a child prodigy.
Hannah would carry Myriam’s little harp to the grotto and upon the little girl strumming, all those assembled listened joyfully to the lilting heart-touching and peace evoking melodies.
One of the neighbors was Yosef, also 4 years old and brought to the gathering by his parents Heli and Rachel.
Already an accomplished tambourine player, Yosef would accompany Myriam by playing percussion, during her impromptu grotto concertos.
Becoming fast friends and as they entered adolescence, they would attend temple service with their parents and meet afterwards for some tea and chocolate babkas.
Witnessing their pure love for each other, Joachim, Hannah, Heli and Rachel agreed on Yosef being chosen as Myriam’s betrothed protector, when she reached thirteen years of age.
And so the stage was being set for the birth of Christ Yeshua.
Comments