Readers want a picture of Jesus’ world 2,000 years ago, but not in the language of his day. How would you describe Mary’s worship of the Father?
Sholem Asch wrote some great scenes, but they might not be the best wording for today. Here’s a paragraph from his 1949 Book titled Mary.
But the people did hear. Often, in broad daylight, while working in her field or garden, Miriam would fall to her knees. Sometimes, alone on the roof of her house, she stood erect, staring at the stars, or dropped to her knees with her hands outspread to the sky, while she intoned the Psalms of David, or verses of her own composing whose source and drift no one could comprehend. The words were not those of a prophetess, but rather the exultant paeans of a priestess. She chanted songs of praise and magnificats to the Lord for miracles that had been wrought in her. She sang of promises fulfilled, of pledges made of old to the Patriarchs, of the approach of salvation and the great redemption that was at hand.
After reading those words, what pictures come to mind? How would you describe her worship? You might write, She worshiped the Lord. But that asks readers to create the entire video all by themselves. Not a good idea. They’re depending on the writer to help them with the pictures, actions, and emotion.
To show what happened, we must first visualize ourselves being the character, then describe the actions. The following is one author’s attempt at that.
Mary’s Worship
Whether people overheard her words or thought her behavior strange was of no concern to her. The desire to express her gratitude to the Lord was like an artesian spring that must now throw off the stone that stopped its mouth.
Already on her knees, pulling weeds, she bowed her head and said nothing for a while, waiting for the words to rise from deep within. “God,” she said, “you are awesome beyond my fondest imagination.” Tears filled her eyes in response to the feeling that she, probably the weakest and most humble of servants, could be used by God.
When the sun had lost its light behind the hills, she climbed the stairs to the rooftop and raised her hands toward the sky as if the stars were only a little beyond her fingertips. “Lord, how majestic is your name. Your glory fills the heavens, and the mountains sing your praises.”
For the next thirty minutes, she sang of the Lord’s love and mercy in a heavenly melody.
Mozart is known to have spent time copying the masters until the excellence of others’ works disappeared into his own unique style. After copying the two examples above, how would you describe Mary’s worship?
Go ahead. Give it a try. You’ll learn in the process.
