BY TORSTEN SCHWANKE
From twelve-tribe records, Joachim was a man of wealth,
Who brought the Lord a double gift of grace and health.
"The surplus of my goods," he said, "shall feed the land,
And what atones for me shall rest in God's own hand."
The great and solemn feast arrived with sacred grace,
And sons of Israel brought their offerings to the place.
Then Reuben stood before him, saying, "It is wrong
That you should lead the gifts, with no ancestral throng,
Since you have left no seed in Israel's bounds to bloom."
Then Joachim was plunged in deep and heavy gloom.
He searched the tribal rolls to find where he might stand,
To see if he alone was childless in the land.
He found all righteous men had left a seed behind,
And called to mind how Abraham, of ancient kind,
Received in his old age a son, divinely given,
When Isaac was bestowed upon him out of heaven.
Then Joachim, oppressed by sorrow and disgrace,
Withheld himself from view and hid his troubled face.
Into the desert wild he made his lonely way,
And pitched his tent apart to fast and weep and pray:
"I will not taste of food, nor drink of stream or spring,
Until the Lord my God salvation to me bring;
My prayer shall be my drink, my fasting be my meat."
And thus he fell before the Lord in sorrow sweet.
Meanwhile his wife, fair Anna, raised a twofold cry,
And poured her double grief into the weeping sky:
"Alas my barren state! My lonely soul I mourn!"
As holy days drew near and left her quite forlorn.
Then Judith, her handmaiden, spoke a gentle word:
"How long will you afflict your soul before the Lord?
The sacred day is near, when mourning must depart.
Take up this royal veil and gladden now your heart,
Which mistress hands bestowed, though not allowed for me,
Since I am but your maid, and royal it must be."
"Away!" cried Anna then, "I will not touch the prize;
The Lord has humbled me before the people's eyes.
Some trickster gave this shroud, and you would make me share
The burden of your guilt and lead me to despair."
And Judith answered back: "What comfort can I give,
Since you despise my voice while bitterly you live?
The Lord has closed your womb and sealed your path of woe,
That Israel through your line no fruit of yours may know."
Then Anna, deeply grieved, cast off her mourning dress,
Washed her sad brow, and clothed her in her bridal dress.
At the ninth hour she went into her garden shade,
And walked beneath the boughs where laurels softly played.
Beneath a laurel tree she rested from her care,
And lifted up her voice in agonizing prayer:
"O God of all our sires, look down and hear my cry,
As once you blessed Sarah in the days gone by,
And gave her Isaac's life to crown her ancient days!"
She looked up to the skies above the leafy shade,
And saw a sparrow's nest within the branches laid.
At once a bitter strain of sorrow she began:
"Alas, who gave me birth? What womb brought forth the man?
A curse was I brought forth before the Hebrew race,
Reviled and mocked of all, and marked by foul disgrace,
Cast out and barred from entering God's holy dwelling-place!
Alas, to whom am I compared in all this earth?
Not to the birds of air, who sing of joyful birth;
For even birds of heaven are fruitful, Lord, to thee.
Alas, to whom am I compared upon this sphere?
Not to dumb beasts that roam and graze without a fear;
For even senseless brutes are fruitful, Lord, to thee.
Alas, to whom am I compared across the land?
Not to wild beasts that hide amid the forest strand;
For even woodland beasts are fruitful, Lord, to thee.
Alas, to whom am I compared within this place?
Not to the flowing streams that run their watery race;
For even waters yield their fruit before thy face.
Alas, to whom am I compared beneath the sky?
The fertile earth brings forth her season as it rolls on high,
And praises thee, O Lord, with every harvest nigh!"
Behold, an angel came and stood before her sight:
"Arise, O Anna, God has heard your prayer aright!
You shall conceive and bear, and all the world shall raise
A wondrous song of fame to celebrate your praise."
And Anna answered him: "As lives the Lord on high,
Whatever child is born beneath the open sky,
Be it a son or maid, I yield it to His grace,
To serve Him all its days within the holy place."
Behold, two angels came and spoke to her again:
"Rise up, for Joachim returns across the plain!"
For to the husband too an angel had descended:
"Joachim, Joachim, your waiting days are ended!
God has embraced your prayer and heard your secret plea;
Return unto your home, your wife with child you'll see."
Then Joachim made haste, and called his shepherds near:
"Bring me ten lambs without a blemish or a tear;
Let these ten spotless lambs unto the Lord belong.
And bring twelve calves beside, to grace the priestly throng,
And give a hundred goats to feed the people's song."
With herds and flocks he came, while Anna watched the gate;
She saw him drawing near and ran to meet her mate.
She fell upon his neck in wild and sweet surprise:
"Now do I know the Lord has blessed my tearful eyes!
Behold, the widow weeps no more in empty gloom,
For life has found a home within my barren womb!"
And Joachim found rest within his house that day.
When morning light appeared, he brought his gifts to sight,
And prayed: "If God is pleased to grant His saving light,
Let the high priest's bright plate before my vision rise."
He watched the sacred gold ascend to sacrifice,
And found no sin within, and raised his voice to say:
"Now know I God has washed my heavy sins away!"
He left the temple courts, justified and made whole,
And sought his peaceful home with lighter, gladdened soul.
Her months fulfilled at last—about the sixth or seventh—
Anna brought forth a child beneath the gaze of heaven.
She asked the midwife then: "What gift is it I bear?"
The woman answered her: "A maid is resting there."
And Anna cried aloud: "My soul is lifted high!"
And laid her gently down where quiet shadows lie.
When days of cleansing passed according to the law,
She washed her stains away with reverent, holy awe,
Gave milk unto the babe to nourish and sustain,
And called her little name Maria, free from stain.
The months and seasons rolled, and strength possessed the child.
When half a year had passed, she stood upright and smiled,
As on the floor her mother set her small, firm feet,
To test if she could stand upon the stony street.
She took full seven steps and reached her mother's knee,
Who caught her to her breast in sudden ecstasy:
"As lives the Lord my God, your foot shall never tread
Upon this common earth, till to His house instead
I bring you pure and whole!" And in her chamber space
She made a sacred shrine, a holy dwelling-place,
Where nought of common stain or tarnish could intrude.
She called the Hebrew maids of purest maidenhood,
To wash and tend the child in innocence and grace.
When now the child had reached her second yearly space,
Lord Joachim proclaimed a feast for far and near;
He called the holy priests, the scribes and elders here,
And all the folk of old to join the sacred song.
He brought the little maid before the priestly throng;
They blessed the little child with raised and holy hands:
"O God of all our sires, protect these infant lands,
And grant an endless name through every age to roll!"
And all the people cried, "Amen, so be it whole!"
Again they brought her forth before the priests on high,
Who blessed her with a prayer that pierced the vaulted sky:
"O God of highest heavens, look down with tender grace,
And bless this child above all blessing known to place!"
Then bore her mother back into the shrine so bright,
And gave the babe her breast in soft and holy light,
And raised a song of praise to God, her joy and might.
"A holy song unto the Lord I'll sing,
Who turned to me and took away my sting—
The bitter taunts my enemies decreed.
The Lord my God has granted me the seed
Of His own righteousness, both one and manifold.
Who to the sons of Reuben now has told
That Anna nurses? Hear, ye tribes of old,
Ye twelve of Israel: Anna nurses still!"
She laid her down to rest on Zion's hill,
Within the chamber's pale, and turned away
To serve the household through the quiet day.
The banquet done, they went their joyful road,
And praised the God who made the earth their code.
The months accrued upon the infant's head,
Until two years of life had gently fled.
Then Joachim declared: "Let us ascend
Unto the temple where our vows extend,
Lest God be angered and our gifts refuse."
And Anna answered: "Let us wait and choose
The third year's dawn, that she may not demand
Her mother's breast when far in temple land."
And Joachim replied: "So let it be."
When three full years had passed for her to see,
Said Joachim: "Let Hebrew maids appear,
The pure and spotless, holding torches near,
With burning flames, lest backward she should turn,
And let her heart with love for temples burn."
Thus did they climb the temple steps of grace,
Where temple priests received her to the place,
Kissed her and blessed her, saying: "God has made
Your name renowned through every time and shade;
Through you the Lord salvation will disclose
To Israel's sons before the final close."
He set her on the altar's third degree,
And God bestowed His grace so fair and free,
That she danced lightly with her infant feet,
While all the house of Israel found her sweet.
Her parents went away in wondering praise,
Because the Lord had blessed their latter days.
Like some white dove within the holy gloom,
Fair Mary lived inside the temple room,
And took her daily food from angel hands.
When twelve sweet years had filled her lovely lands,
The priests took counsel, saying: "Mary's age
Has reached twelve years within this sacred cage.
What shall we do, lest she defile the shrine
Of God our Lord?" They said to one divine:
"You stand beside the altar of the Lord,
Go in and pray, and heed what is restored."
The priest took twelve sweet bells and wandered in
To the Most Holy, free from earthly sin,
And prayed for her. Behold, an angel cried:
"Zacharias, go where widowers abide!
Call forth the men of Judah, let each bring
A staff, and whom the Lord marks with a sign,
To him shall she be wedded as a bride."
The heralds ran through all Judea's ground,
The trumpet sounded, and the crowds streamed round.
Joseph, who laid his woodman's axe away,
Came forth to join the gathering that day.
They sought the priest together with their rods,
Which he received and carried to the gods,
Praying within the temple's deep recess.
He brought them out and gave them, comfortless,
For on no staff was any sign impressed.
The final staff was Joseph's, and behold,
A dove flew from the wood, of white and gold,
And rested on old Joseph's aged head.
Then said the priest: "To you the lot has sped;
You are ordained to take the virgin maid,
And keep her safe within your guardian shade."
Then Joseph answered: "I am old and gray,
And sons are mine, while youth is hers today.
Lest Israel's sons make mockery of my name—"
The priest replied: "Fear God and shun the blame!
Remember Dathan, Korah, and their crew,
How earth devoured the rebels that outgrew
The law of God! Fear now, lest this befall
Your quiet house." And Joseph took her thrall,
And brought her home to keep her for the Lord.
"Mary," he said, "from temple courts restored,
I leave you in my house, while I depart
To build afar with weary hands and heart.
I soon return; the Lord shall be your shield."
The priests took counsel for the sacred veil:
"Let us construct a curtain without fail."
The high priest said: "Call maidens of the line
Of David, pure and spotless and divine."
Seven were found, and Mary too was brought,
Of David's house, untouched by sinful thought.
The priest demanded: "Bring the threads of gold,
The pure white flax, and purple of the old,
Hyacinth blue, and scarlet of the sea,
And royal purple." Unto Mary's knee
Came scarlet and true purple for her share,
Which she took home to spin with tender care.
In those same days Zacharias was struck dumb,
And Samuel served until his voice should come.
She took her pitcher forth to draw the well.
A voice rang out: "Hail, full of grace! To tell
The Lord is with thee; blessed 'mong women thou!"
She looked around in fear and wondered how,
Then fled inside her home with beating heart,
Set down the jar, and took her purple part,
Sitting to spin. Behold, an angel stood:
"Fear not, O Mary, find your neighborhood
In God's great grace; you shall conceive and bear
Through His true word." She asked with quiet care:
"Shall I conceive from God, the living Lord,
As every woman bears?" The angel stored
His answer thus: "Not so! The power divine
Shall overshadow thee, and make thee mine.
The holy child you bear shall bear His name—
Jesus, who saves His people from their shame."
And Mary said: "Behold the handmaid here;
Be it to me according to your ear."
She finished purple, scarlet, and the thread,
And brought it to the priest, who blessed her head:
"The Lord has made your name great through the land,
And blessed you far above the mortal band."
Then Mary, full of joy, went forth to greet
Her cousin Elizabeth upon the street.
She knocked; Elizabeth let drop her thread,
Ran to the door and opened wide, and said:
"Whence is this grace, that to my lowly door
The mother of my Lord should walk the floor?
The babe within me leaped and blessed your name!"
And Mary pondered on the heavenly flame,
Lifting her voice: "Who am I that the earth
Should call me blessed for this wondrous birth?"
Three months she stayed, while daily grew her frame,
Then went in fear, lest Israel know her shame.
Sixteen years old was she when wonders came.
In the fifth month returned the artisan,
And found her with child—a troubled man!
He struck his face, wept bitterly on sack:
"With what regard can I look God aback?
What prayer is mine? A virgin pure I took
From God's own house, and left no watchful look!
Who has betrayed me? Who has wrought this ill,
And robbed the virgin of her holy will?
Is Adam's ancient story here renewed,
When lonely Eve by serpent was pursued?"
He rose and called her: "O thou dedicated maid,
What hast thou done in the celestial shade?
Forgot your God, who fed you from the sky?"
She wept aloud: "I am a maiden, I!
No man I know." He cried: "Whence is this load?"
She swore: "As lives the Lord, my only God,
I know not whence this thing within me grew!"
In bitter fear he shrank from her embrace,
And weighed what course would save them from disgrace.
"If I conceal her sin, I break the law;
If I expose her, and the angels draw
Her child from heaven, I shed innocent blood!
I'll loose her quietly." As night up-stood,
An angel came in dreams and softly said:
"Fear not to take this maiden to your bed,
For what is in her womb is heaven-born;
A son she bears, whose name shall banish scorn—
Jesus, who saves His people from their sin."
Then Joseph woke and praised the Lord within,
And kept the child secure from every harm.
Then Annas the scribe approached and asked him straight:
"Why did you absent from our council wait?"
And Joseph answered: "I have traveled far,
And rested for a day beneath the star."
Then Annas turned and looked, and saw with dread
How Mary walked with child, as rumor said.
The witness stepped before the priest to cry:
"See Joseph now, whose truth you testified,
Has wandered far from law and holy grace."
The priest demanded: "What is this offense?"
"The virgin whom from temple halls he took
Has stayed with him, and broken every book;
Their secret wedding from the tribes concealed."
The high priest asked: "Did you this deed fulfill?"
And Joseph said: "Send servants to the place,
And you shall find her heavy with her case."
The servants went and found her as he said,
And brought her forth before the court arrayed.
The high priest cried: "O Mary, what is done?
Why have you lowered soul beneath the sun?
Have you forgotten God, who raised you high
Where angels fed you from the open sky,
Where you heard anthems and before Him danced?
Why have you done this thing?" She tearful glanced:
"As lives the Lord, before His face I'm pure,
And no known man has touched me, I assure."
The high priest turned to Joseph: "What is true?"
And Joseph swore: "As lives the Lord anew,
And His anointed witness, I am clear
Of any touch or stain committed here."
The priest replied: "No false report impart,
But speak the truth from an unshielded heart:
You hid your marriage from the Hebrew host,
And bowed not down to claim the holy boast."
And Joseph stood in silence, sore distressed.
The high priest spoke: "Return the maiden now
Whom from the temple you did late endow."
Then, seeing Joseph plunged in heavy grief,
He offered him a strange and stern relief:
"Drink the Lord's testing water, let it show
Your hidden sin before our eyes below."
He made poor Joseph drink, then sent him off
Into the desert, far from scorn and scoff;
And then the virgin drank, and journeyed too
Into the waste, as custom bade them do.
And all the people marvelled with surprise
To see no sin unveiled before their eyes.
The high priest said: "Since God reveals no blame,
Nor I condemn you." So he cleared their name.
Then Joseph took her to his home to dwell,
With joyful heart praising Israel's God so well.
An edict came from proud Augustus' throne
That all in Bethlehem should be overthrown
And registered in tax. And Joseph said:
"My sons I register, but what instead
Shall I with this young maiden do or name?
I shame to call her wife before our frame,
Yet all Israel knows she is no child of mine;
The Lord will act according to His sign."
He saddled up the ass, set her astride;
His son pulled lead, while Samuel walked beside.
When three short miles had drawn them on their way,
He turned and saw her face was dark and gray,
And thought: "Perhaps the burden in her womb
Weighs heavy now with sorrow and with gloom."
He turned again, and saw her smiling bright,
And asked: "Why shift your face from dark to light?"
She answered him: "Two peoples now I see:
One weeps and mourns in bitter misery,
The other shouts and triumphs in delight."
Then Mary spoke: "O Joseph, let me down,
For what is in my womb cries out to crown
Its birth into the world." He helped her stand:
"Where shall I bring you in this lonely land?"
They found a cave nearby and entered in;
He left his sons outside to guard the din,
And went to find a Hebrew midwife near.
As Joseph walked, he stood as frozen here;
He raised his eyes and saw the heavens still;
The air was churned, yet birds upon the hill
Hung motionless. He looked upon the ground:
A shovel rested with its iron bound,
Its workers' hands upon the handle stayed,
Yet not a man dug earth with any spade;
The carriers stopped, the eaters stayed their bite,
With faces turned toward heaven's wondrous light.
The driven sheep stood still upon the track;
The shepherd raised his hand to strike their back,
Yet stayed his blow. The river stream ran by,
Where kids dipped mouths, but drank not from on high.
All motion paused in nature's strange delay.
He saw a woman coming down the steep:
"Man, where go you?" "A midwife here I keep."
"Are you from Israel?" "Yes." "Who gives birth
Within that cave?" "My promised maid of worth."
"Is she not wife to you?" "She was raised high
Within the temple, and her wedding tie
Was won by me; yet wife she is not known,
For by the Holy Ghost her seed was sown."
"Is this the truth?" "Come see." And to the cave
They went together where the shadows wave.
A dark cloud overspread the stony place,
And then the midwife cried with glowing face:
"My soul is lifted up, my eyes have seen
A wondrous rescue where no hope had been!"
The cloud withdrew, and in the cave there shone
A light so fierce no eye could look upon;
Then slowly faded till an infant lay,
Who took sweet milk from Mary's breast that day.
The midwife cried: "Great is this day of grace,
That I have looked upon this holy face!"
She left the cave, and met Salome there:
"Salome, hear the wonder I declare!
A virgin has brought forth against all laws!"
Salome answered: "As the Lord withdraws
His grace unless I prove it with my hand,
I will not credit what your words command."
The midwife entered: "Mary, brace your frame,
For no small strife attends your honored name."
Salome touched her, then cried out in pain:
"Woe to my wickedness and sinful stain!
I put the living God to trial here,
And see, my hand drops off in flame and fear!"
She bowed her knees: "O God of ancient sires,
Remember me, nor quench me in your fires;
I healed the poor in your most holy name."
An angel stepped before her and proclaim:
"Salome, God has heard your humble prayer;
Touch now the child and take him in your care,
And healing shall be yours." With joyful bound
She took the babe, and health was instant found.
"I worship Him," she cried, "Israel's true king!"
And left the cave, made whole in everything.
A voice proclaimed: "Salome, breathe no word
Of what your eyes have seen, till comes the Lord
To Salem's streets."
Then Joseph planned to leave Judea's ground,
When in the town a great turmoil was found;
For magi came, and asked: "Where is the king
Of Jews newborn, whose star we saw upspring?"
King Herod heard, and trembled with dismay,
And called the chief priests to his court that day:
"Where is the Christ foretold by ancient word?"
They answered: "In Judean Bethlehem stirred."
Then Herod asked the magi of the star:
"What sign appeared to guide you from afar?"
They said: "A wondrous star outshone the night,
Drowning all other fires in blinding light;
We knew a king was born in Israel's land,
And came to worship at his high command."
Said Herod: "Go and search, and bring me word,
That I may worship too our newborn Lord."
The magi went; the star before them led,
Until it stood above the cave's low shed.
They saw the child with Mary, mother mild,
And opened treasures to the holy child:
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh they laid in sight.
Warned by an angel in the silent night,
They shunned proud Herod's court and took their flight
Back to their native land another way.
When Herod found the magi had decoyed,
He raged and sent his murderers employed:
"Go slay all children of two years and down."
When Mary heard of children through the town
Cut down in blood, she shook with sudden fright,
Took up her child and wrapped him soft and tight,
And laid him in an ox's feeding trough.
And Elizabeth, when danger grew so rough
For infant John, fled upward to the height
Of mountain wilds to hide him from their sight.
No secret cave was found across the land;
She sighed and cried: "O mount of God's command,
Receive a mother and her little one!"
For fear outpaced the strength that she had won.
The mountain split and opened wide its breast,
And took them in to safe and holy rest;
A light divine filled up their rocky shade,
Where God's own angel watched and gave them aid.
Herod sought John, and sent his men to find
The priest Zacharias, leaving doubts behind:
"Where have you hid your son?" The priest replied:
"I serve the Lord in temple walls inside;
What knowledge have I where my son may stay?"
The servants went and told of his delay.
Then Herod, angered, shouted: "From his line
A king shall rise to rule by royal sign!"
Again he sent: "Speak truth, your life is near
Within my hand; where is your offspring here?"
And when the guards repeated Herod's word,
Zacharias answered: "Witness of the Lord,
Take now my blood, my spirit God shall keep,
For you shed innocent blood where altars sleep!"
Before the temple doors, amid a sign,
He fell murdered by the foes' design,
While Israel's sons knew nothing of the deed.
When blessing time arrived, the priests passed out,
Yet found no blessing from Zacharias about.
They waited long for him to greet the throng,
And praise the highest God with holy song.
When he delayed, a terror gripped them all;
One dared to step within the sacred hall,
And saw spilled blood beside the altar floor,
While from the stones a voice began to pour:
"Zacharias is slain, and blood shall cry
Until the great avenger passes by!"
He fled in fear and told the priestly band,
Who entered in to view the stricken land.
The temple veils from top to bottom tore;
No corpse was found upon the blood-stained floor,
For even blood had turned to solid stone.
With trembling hearts they made the murder known;
The tribes of Israel wept three days and nights.
Then chosen priests prepared the temple rites,
And cast their lots for who should take the seat;
The lot fell on old Simeon, made complete
By Holy Ghost, who would not taste of death
Until he saw the Christ with mortal breath.
I, James, who penned this history and scroll,
In Jerusalem dwelt when tumult took its toll
At Herod's death, and fled into the wild
Until the raging storm of crowds grew mild.
I praise the Lord, who granted me the grace
To write this tale of truth for every place.
And may His grace attend all souls who fear
The living Lord. Amen, let all draw near.