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Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

Emily was in a hurry to be done with her visiting. There was just one last call to be made and then she could take her maternity leave and forget about her pastoral duties for a while. She entered the old woman’s room somewhat hesitantly. She never knew quite what to expect from Maude Brown. Maude had never known a “woman preacher,” in all of her 98 years. And she made it very clear that she didn’t like the idea one bit. She would never call Emily “Reverend” or “Pastor.” It was always “Mrs. Sheldon.”

As Emily approached the bed, the old woman raised her head and struggled to make out who she was. “It’s Emily, Miss Brown, Emily Sheldon, your pastor from the church. How are you today?”

“Why I’m just fine for an old woman. And how are you, Mrs. Sheldon? You look like you need to sit down and take a load off your feet. You shouldn’t be out running around in your condition. You should be home with your husband. Let him do the running.”

Emily sat down, and as she sat she felt the baby leap in her womb. Maude saw her wince and reach for her stomach. She asked Emily if she would allow her to feel the baby. Emily was a little taken aback. This was the first time this had ever happened to her during a pastoral visit. She told Maude to go ahead. It would be perfectly all right.

Emily pulled her chair over closer to the bed. Maude stretched out a wrinkled hand and placed it gently on her swollen middle. The two women waited in silence until the baby stirred again. Maude sighed and removed her hand. The silence continued for several moments. Then, in a low voice and with eyes looking off into the distance, Maude began to speak.

“I was expecting once. It happened when I was very young. The hired man had his way with me in the haymow one day when Mama and Papa were gone. He made me promise not to tell them. When I started to get big about three months later, Mama said, “Girl, what are we going to do with you?” She didn’t ask me who or why. She didn’t even get angry with me. She simply said, “Maude, you must ride the horse every day for a half hour.”

I didn’t much like riding the horse, but I didn’t argue with her. Mama watched me closely after that but it wasn’t until about two weeks later that the bleeding started. Mama put me in bed and told me to push until it was all out. She took it away. I don’t know what she did with it. We never spoke of it, and I never rode the horse again.”

Emily reached out and took hold of Maude’s hand. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’m glad you told me. May I sit with you for a little while? We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.” “I’d like that,” Maude said.

When Emily got up to leave about an hour later, Maude opened her eyes and said, “Thank you, Reverend, I’m glad you came.”