During the Christmas season we often think of Mary the mother of Jesus who was the special handmaiden who brought our Savior into the world. We are thankful for her sacrifice as we wouldn’t have had Jesus if it weren’t for Mary. But there were other women on the scene involved in this time that we might not think about but probably had a great part in the story of our Savior’s birth. Here are a few:
Elizabeth and Mary
Elizabeth – mother of John the Baptist: Elizabeth and Mary were cousins and close friends. As the story is told in Luke after Mary was visited by the angel and told of the coming of her son, she went to visit Elizabeth. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s baby jumped in the womb as a testimony of the joy between them and their coming sons. Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth and I’m sure shared heartfelt closeness. Elizabeth herself was considered barren but was blessed to be John the Baptist’s mother at an old age. I’m sure Mary and Elizabeth spent time together with their young children and learned of the Savior’s personality from an early age.
Anna: Widow at the temple – Anna who was from the tribe of Asher and daughter of Phanuel was widowed a long time while she spent her time at the temple serving God. It is written in Luke chapter 2 of how she “gave thanks” in the instant she had learned of His coming and spake of Jesus to “all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem”. Bearing testimony of a Savior who she knew would one day save the world in its sin. She was the perfect example of enduring to the end in faith that one day the Messiah would come.
Mother of Mary: Now nothing is said of Mary’s mother in the scriptures we have, but I’m sure she had one. And this mother in my mind would have doted on Mary, especially knowing that she was to be married to Joseph. Being “espoused” meant more than engaged to be married as in our modern society. It was a tradition which meant you were in a bound contract which required a ceremony between a man and a woman so if they were to not be wedded; it took a bill of divorcement to do so. I’m sure Mary’s mother knew this and was concerned for her welfare and the welfare of her future grandchild.
Every man in the story had a wife.
Mother of Joseph: Like Mary, Joseph had a mother too and she was just as concerned with what would happen to her grandchild as Mary’s mother. When Mary was found with child, Joseph had every right make a public example of her, but must have loved her dearly because he thought to “put her away privily” as it is told in Matthew Chapter 1. Both mothers must have been worried and needed to have better understanding of what was going on but had the faith to give emotional support for their children.
Wife of the Inn Keeper: This woman is not mentioned specifically in the story of Jesus birth but in my mind she is there. An Inn keeper would probably have a wife and knowing Mary was about to give birth, she would care about what happened to her. Since they were led to a manger area with animals, she would make sure Mary was comfortable and had what she needed not only to sleep that night but to give birth safely in the best way she knew how.
Shepherd Women: Shepherds were considered a lowly station in old Jerusalem but they were important also as they took care of the flocks which supported those who lived there. In my mind those shepherds who were “abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks” (Luke 2) got the message from the angel that night and went with haste to see the babe in Bethlehem. When they came back from the beautiful sight they saw, they told their wives, daughters and mothers of the marvelous story of the coming of their Savior. What a sight it must have been to behold.
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All these women were important to Jesus as He grew to manhood and became the Savior of the world. They all touched his life in some way (however small) as he was brought into the world.
As women, we can remember the example of these women from Jesus birth to our families and friends and how we can touch the lives of those around us. How important we are to our own families and just as important we can know and can keep the Savior in our life the same as those women at Jesus’s birth.
Valerie Steimle has been writing as a family advocate for over 25 years. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she promotes Christian living in her writings and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to twelve. Mrs. Steimle authored six books and is a contributing writer to several online websites. To her, time is the most precious commodity we have and knows we should spend it wisely.
To read more of Valerie's work, visit her at her website, The Blessings of Family Life.
