Song of Life 9

New family member arrives

In midsummer, Mary began to experience the signs that it was time for the baby to be born. Naomi instructed her and Yacob that he was to come and get her for the birth. In the meantime, Sarabek slept at her brother’s home so that Mary would not have to be alone when her time came. Mary and Sarabek had known each other for many years but their friendship had grown since Mary’s marriage to Yacob and their time together awaiting the baby’s birth made them even closer. Sarabek’s woven gifts for the baby had been completed by early spring and Mary stroked the soft wool and they talked about the coming event. Sarabek had accompanied her mother to births in the village but this would be the first time she was there from start to finish.

In the middle of the night near the full moon, Yacob came to Sarabek and told her Mary’s time had come. Sarabek went to Mary and held her hand and walked with her through the beginning of labor while Yacob went for Naomi. The moonlight was bright and Yacob said he would not be long. The young women were nervous but they encouraged one another and walked and talked and when Yacob returned with Naomi, John came as well and said he had sent James to tell Mary’s family of the impending birth. It was not long before both families were gathered. Mary’s mother joined the women in the bedroom as the men waited together.

The women encouraged Mary and Naomi helped her deliver the baby. Just before dawn, the men heard the cry of a newborn and it was not long before Sarabek invited them in to meet the newest family member, Samuel. Yacob and Mary held their son and the other women went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for everyone. Mary’s mother would stay with her daughter. After the feast, everyone else went home, leaving the newborn, his parents and grandmother. Naomi and Sarabek went home and rested before starting their daily chores while the men went to the vineyard and olive grove.

Everyone’s heart was grateful for a healthy mother and baby. Sarabek sang praises in her heart. This was the first birth she had actually witnessed and the miracle of it all overwhelmed her with joy.

Next: Autumn’s cold wind