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About Herald and news. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1942-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1960)
Joseph, Carpenter Of Nazareth, Passes Tests And Takes Bride Editor! Note: The Gospels are wanting in their narrative of the love story of Mary and Joseph which reached its climax oq that first Christmas nearly 2,000 years ago. Here, drawn from respected but non-canonical sources, it an account of their wedding. By GEORGE CORNELL ' AP Religion Writer He had borne enough. The rab bi had examined him. The elders had taken counsel. He had been interrogated by the whole con gregation of Nazareth. Even priests of the. Holy City had come to inquire into his reputation. Joseph's patience waned. Ver ily, they had tested him without quarter. 'He took a last driving, swing with his mallet, the chisel biting deep into the seasoned car- ob timber. The questioning near made him doubt himself. Yet, manifestly, all of it had been necessary if he was to re ' ceive the most excellent and gen teel maiden, Mary bath Joachim. With his foot, he shoved the chips and splinters into a heap in the corner, leaving the unfin ished wagon axle on his work bench. Sweat drenched his beard. The biceps of his arms stood out in great knots as he hung his Implements. Give Him Shaving Sets' nd Toiletries from Wood's Drug Hi and Main It was late afternoon, about the tenth hour, and he knew full well r L- -I u I ; . I - - L ! ne snouia oe preparing lor ine betrothal rites at the rich house of Anna and Joachim, but he needed this final exertion to quiet his agitation. He shook his head in chagrin. Yaal, foolishness! At hif mature age, he should not have been so unsettled by the matter. Yet each time his thoughts turned to the maid, his strength fled from him. Likewise, the inquiries had' tried him sorely. He had submitted humbly to them.' He was not a vain man. But their precautions left him worn and ill at ease. It was as if he were a stranger in their midst. Had he not dwelt and toiled among them these many years? Had he not walked in integrity? He had brought forth young sons, and since he was widowed two years past, he had lived circum spectly and in accord with the law. Yet it was meet that the girl's mother, Anna, and her kinsmen, having the high rank in the priest hood, should take great care in choosing a fit mate for an only daughter, a cherished yachid. Joseph brushed the sawdust and strode into the house. The little ones were at the synagogue, be ing instructed by the chazzan, and thereafter would repair to the reception of espousal. He poured water into a basin For, TV REPAIRS CALL Billy Golden TV r.rmerlr With J. W. K.rni Phone TU 2-1259 "THOU ART GOODLY in all ways, Mary, as all know." HERALD AND NEWS, Klamath Falls, Oregon Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1960 PAGE J B mum a BUY NOW... FINAL REDUCTIONS Before CHRISTMAS!!! foil A kl bin tier rmn Anew:.. CHILDREN'S COTTON DRESSES Wide Assortment of Stylet $ 98 ifi And Colors. 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He put on his Sabbath sandals, then fetched the gifts for Mary and her family from the shelf. He tucked them into a pouch at his waist and set out. It would have been easier if this had been a simple match making, negotiated by the shad- chamn, who served regularly as go-between in arranging the terms between parents of young couples. In Mary's case, however, great concern and attention had been lavished on finding her a rightful husband. Anna had called to her aid a learned and distinguished kinsman, the chief priest Zecha- riah, who also had been tutor to Mary. A multitude of eager suitors had been considered, both widowers and young swains, wealthy and poor. Zechariah, after much prayer and consultation, had named Joseph, the plain, hard working joiner of Nazareth. It had amazed him, and Jo seph's heart had leaped. But so prolonged and scrupulous had j the testimonies and proving be come that at one time he had de claimed his own fitness. "I am an older man and have children." he had accused him self, "but she is young." Zechariah had shrugged off the outburst, saying the determina tion was under divine guidance. "Unto thee, Joseph, hath it fall en, he remonstrated. Joseph's qualms arose not from any want of affection for Mary, but only from his own lowliness. He had scant possessions and only a meager abode compared to the stately house of Joachim. And the maid herself was the glory of the village. I He walked slowly up the hill, taking a path through the vine-! yard. She was, indeed, well-en-! dowed, in body and comport, and his devotion burned in him. Of all her days here and in her train ing at the Temple, It was said: "None ever saw her angry or heard her reviling. For her speech was full of grace . . . She was ever diligent, in prayer and in searching the law, and was anx. ious not to sin by any word against her companions. "Moreover, she feared to make any mistake in laughter or by the sound of her lovely voice, lest any insult or pride should show itself against her equals. She blessed the Lord without intermission." Joseph approached the house. A new moon shone over the. roof. The light of the moon, at mid month, was the favored time for betrothals. From inside came merry sounds of voices, ' His blood pounded as he touched the mezuzah at the door post, kissing his fingers, and knocked. A' maid-servant brought a waterbasin for his hands and feet. Leaving his sandals at the door, he walked barefoot across the room. It swarmed with neighbors and children, eating and convers ing animatedly. "Blessed by your coming, Jo seph bar Jacob." The salutations surged around him. "God cheer your heart, Jo seph." ' May your tribe increase. "Does it go well with thee, Jo seph bar Jacob?" "It goes well. Anna kissed ' his cheek and hand, and led him toward his place. When he saw the bride, his knees turned to water, and the distance across the floor stretched out formidably. He salaamed, spreading his arms, his cheeks red as fire, and mumbled his awkward praises. "Thou art goodly in all ways, Mary, as all know." His eye; downcast and fumbling with his purse-strings, he drew out his small gifts and presented them uAcccemoniously, a silken sash with the colors of her tribe to Anna, a fringed prayer shawl to the old priest, Zechariah., a cruet of spices to his wife, Eliza beth, a bronze pendant to Mary. Amid their utterances of grati tude and the murmuring of the throng, he took his seat beside the bride, with her family on ei ther side. The servants nassed more sweetmeats to the young. and the guests moved by to jmake flowery speeches of commendation. At lencth came the time for all but tiie chosen witnesses and family to depart. Those remaining repaired to a low table in an ad joining chamber where the record chest, containine the ancestral register, sacred scrolls, histories and other family treasures, was jopened. Two suspended lamps glowed bovc the table. The old Driest' beard, glistening with oil, bobbed . -,e nad the lists of births, tracing the Davidic lineage of Mary, and also the ancestry of Joseph, son of Jacob, of the house of David, of Bethlehem. n"":" n-.m-'s were then in scribed together on the Galilean wu, or scroll. Terms of the mohar already had been agreed upon it was to be the smallest dowry deemed honorable. 100'dinnrii to be nniH to Mary's parents within a year in insure her luture against di vorce or abandonment. I Tne priest unrolled the parch- and (he old priest blessed the Lord God of Abraham, and thle union of his children, Mary bath Joachim and Joseph bar Jacob ment contract on the table, and turned to Mary. "Wilt thou go with this man?" "I will go." Joseph and the parents took the quill and put their names to the legal instrument of betrothal, the kethubah. Two witnesses stamped and sealed it. ,T h i s was the binding covenant of mar riage, with the ensuing wedding its public celebration. Foreasmuch as she was virgin, and not a widow, it would be a lull year betore the marriage should be. fulfilled, even though thence forth it would not be un lawful for him to know her. She now was under his authority. "Be thou the mother of. thous ands of millions," the old priest told Mary. "Let thy seed pog' sess the gate." The company prostrated them j selves, facing toward the Temple, LUCAS FURNITURE DECEMBER 1 Westinghouse TV and Stereo Sales Trade In Your Old Sat, laiy Terms Expert Repair Service On All Makes BOWDEN MUSIC CO. 830 Main St. TU 2-4883 Israel Is Mum On Bomb Plans WASHINGTON (AP)-The State Department says Israel is keeping the United States In the dark about the reported building of a large atomic reactor. 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