He died for our sins

One evening, God sent the angel James David to a young woman named Mary in the town of Lubbock. The angel James David said to Mary: “Peace be with you! God has blessed you and is pleased with you.” Mary was very confused by this.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a baby boy, and you will call him Jesus. He will be God’s own Son.” Mary was scared but James David told her she had no choice and said, “Let it happen as God chooses.”

Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, was worried when he found out that Mary was expecting a baby out of wedlock. He thought about abandoning her. Then an angel appeared to Joseph said: “You should be wearier of childless women.” The angel then said Mary had been chosen by God to be pregnant. As a God-fearing man, Joseph took Mary as his wife.

At this time, Mary and Joseph lived in the Dobbs Empire. The Emperor wanted to have a list of all the pregnancies in the empire, to make sure they came to term. He ordered every pregnant person to return to their father’s hometown and add their names to a register. Mary and Joseph traveled a long way from Lubbock to Corpus Christi, because that is where Mary’s family came from, although she had only lived there a few weeks. They traveled very slowly because Mary's baby was due to be born soon.

Mary was nervous, but Joseph told her, “Don’t worry, Mary, you were made pregnant by God, and we are in an unfamiliar place. People will show us compassion.” Mary replied, “You’re right.”

When John David heard Mary say this, he appeared, saying: “Mary, you were being hysterical for no reason. Be grateful to have a man such as Joseph. You are going to a good place. I have heard they love pregnancies so much that they are evangelical about it here.”

Joseph and Mary found comfort knowing Corpus Christi was full of faithful, God-loving people who value family above all else.

When they reached Corpus Christi, Mary and Joseph saw pro-life signs everywhere and took a deep breath. They were in the right place—somewhere people support each other. Mary’s family, however, was not there.

Joseph approached a man in the neighborhood wearing a cross necklace and a tattoo that said “Mark 12:31.” The man said he didn’t know Mary’s parents, but continued, “the news won’t even tell you this. They hide it. Your parents probably got pushed out by immigrants before The Emperor, praise be to He, came back and expelled them all. You know, in communities across this country, you had schools that were overwhelmed, hospitals that were overwhelmed, and housing that was totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans for scarce homes.”

Joseph and Mary were confounded; they hadn’t heard anything about this, and Mary couldn’t understand why this unwelcoming man would have Mark 12:31 inked on his neck. He must have seen her staring a moment too long and looked down at the tattoo. She said, “I agree, you should ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’”

“What?” he asked. Mary pointed at the tattoo. He explained, “Oh, my name is Mark, and I was born on December 31st.”

Mary was disappointed, but John David returned, telling her, “Mark 12:31 was just words, anyway. Something to think about, not do.” Mary felt foolish and embarrassed for her blunder.

The couple remembered they needed to register their pregnancy and went to the census office. Mary recited the oath, one hand on the Book of Dobbs, the other over her womb:

I swear by all that is Good and Holy, with God as my witness that I will carry this pregnancy to term. My body is my child’s, and I must bring forth this new life without exception. I understand if I fail to do so and lose the life inside of me, I shall lose my own, as well.

As night approached, Joseph and Mary searched again hopelessly for a place to stay. Everyone they asked for help turned them away, treating them like animals and saying: “you are why every bed and job is taken”; “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”; “you’re pregnant already, our work is done.” Mary and Joseph could not believe what was happening. “It makes no sense! I thought they were pro-life and pro-family!” exclaimed Mary.

“Don’t get upset, it could hurt the baby,” said Joseph.

At that moment, Mary noticed something dripping down her thigh. She thought her water must have broken. When she looked down, she saw red. Dark crimson wrapping around her legs like a pair of fishnet tights. Joseph’s face fell; his breath stopped. He gathered himself: “A doctor. A doctor, we need a doctor. Surely a doctor will help.”

They made their way to the hospital, afraid for themselves and their baby. Mary was distressed, “What if the doctor’s turn us away like everyone else?” Joseph replied, “Mary, doctor’s pledge to help people. It’s their job.” Mary agreed and they arrived at Holy Redeemer Hospital.

Mary clutched her long, white dress, now dyed deep red, and sat in the waiting room. Joseph held her, making promises and assurances he couldn’t guarantee. Eventually, a doctor called them back.

The doctor was kind and caring and patient and loving and compassionate and welcoming. Joseph and Mary finally felt they were in good hands. The doctor assured them: there’s nothing we can do, not legally.

Sobs filled the room as Jesus left it. John David came back one last time as the doctor was leaving, yelling at Mary, “Woman behold thy son!”

Joseph and Mary didn’t know what to do, where to go, or how to feel. They knew only one thing: Jesus died for our sins.

After a few hours, they left the hospital, incomprehensible debt and blood added to their losses. They kept searching for places to go, but didn’t make it far before a man approached them. “Finally,” Mary thought. She was relieved, until she saw his heavy, black clothes and the streetlight reflecting off his bronze badge. Then she remembered why she came to Corpus Christi—the registry. It all came back to her now: I understand if I fail to do so and lose the life inside of me, I shall lose my own, as well.

The officer took her away, and Joseph knew she wasn’t coming back; it was in the oath.

Joseph sat under the streetlight for hours. He could still hear the officer calling her Bloody Mary as he took her away, and Joseph thought to himself, “I hope one day if I say her name in the mirror three times, she will appear.” She never would.