MARY
Mary was called upon by God to be the mother of the Christ. Through the Angel Gabriel, Mary was asked to be the Mother of God (Annunciation). Mary, being a God fearing women, submitted to the will of God. |
JOSEPH
Joseph was betrothed to Mary. When he found out that Mary was pregnant he planned to leave her because he had not had marital relations with her. He planned to leave her quietly. He knew that if he publicly told on her she faced disgrace and possible execution (stoning). An angel appeared to Joseph (believed to be Gabriel again) and told him that Mary has done nothing to betray his trust. That she had become a vessel for the Son of God and that Joseph was to be the Christ's surrrogate father on Earth. |