Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes
"Two from Galilee" by Marjorie Holmes is a historical and biblical fiction novel that delves into the romantic and familial dynamics of Mary and Joseph, pivotal figures in the Christian tradition. Set in first-century Palestine, the story begins with Mary entering womanhood, her family's focus shifting to her marriage prospects. Contrary to societal norms, Mary is determined to marry Joseph, a humble carpenter, which leads to tension with her mother, Hannah, who has aspirations for a more advantageous match. The narrative escalates when Mary receives a divine revelation announcing her role as the mother of the Messiah, presenting her with profound personal and social challenges, including the stigma of an unexpected pregnancy.
Holmes intricately portrays the couple's struggles, highlighting their faith and courage amidst societal scrutiny and familial expectations. Joseph's character embodies the acceptance of God's will despite societal pressures, as he supports Mary through her trials. The story not only reflects the values and culture of first-century Judaism but also emphasizes the overarching theme of faith in God, showcasing how Mary and Joseph navigate their calling within the everyday realities of their lives. Through this compelling narrative, readers gain insight into the personal dimensions of a well-known biblical story, enriched by the emotional and cultural context of the era.
Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes
First published: Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1972
Genre(s): Novel
Subgenre(s): Biblical fiction; historical fiction (first century)
Core issue(s): Courage; faith; guidance; illumination; Incarnation; Judaism; revelation; trust in God; virginity
Principal characters
Mary , the protagonist, daughter of Hannah and Joachim, wife of Joseph, and mother of JesusHannah , Joachim’s wife, Mary’s motherJoachim , Hannah’s husband, Mary’s fatherJoseph , Mary’s husband, the son of Jacob and TimnaElizabeth , sister of Hannah and aunt to Mary
Overview
Novelist Marjorie Holmes explores the emotions of young romance through the biblical characters of Mary and Joseph in Two from Galilee. As the story begins, Mary, the eldest child of Hannah and Joachim of the village of Nazareth in Galilee, has just experienced her first menstrual period, ushering her into womanhood. As would be the case in first century Palestine, the next phase in Mary’s life, and the family’s main concern, is a proper and fitting marriage.
Mary is not interested in the more prosperous of her prospects. Rather, she insists on marrying the man of her girlhood dreams, Joseph the carpenter. In a culture where love is perhaps the least valued consideration in choosing a marriage partner—a function left to parents rather than the participants in the marriage—Mary’s feelings are not given serious consideration. Mary, however, demonstrates some of the courage and constancy that will characterize her life as she digs in her heels and persuades her father to entertain Joseph as a serious suitor for her hand in marriage. Hannah, heretofore always a dominant force in the affairs of the family, finds herself at odds with her daughter, who has the impertinence to interfere in affairs between her parents. Hannah also has much at stake personally in the social value of Mary’s nuptial union, since she has long touted Mary as one of Nazareth’s most desirable young women because of her natural beauty, grace, and quick wit. Therefore, Hannah is utterly opposed to Mary’s choice of a carpenter, of all people, as a husband.
In the midst of arranging the marriage, matters go from tense to unbearable. After Mary has held her ground, persuading her father to accept the marriage proposal of Joseph, suddenly Mary receives a revelation from God that she has been chosen to become the mother of the Messiah. This news is not unsettling until the angel who delivers the message tells Mary that Joseph is not going to be the father, but God is. Mary must now confront not only Hannah, a mother who is very disappointed with her daughter’s choice of husbands, but also the prospect of becoming the “secret” mother of God, because no one will believe in the possibility of this virgin birth. Mary must deal with the social stigma of being pregnant out of wedlock and with the prospect of convincing her betrothed that she has not been cheating on him. Mary’s courage, faith, and trust in God are tested to the breaking point during the following months.
In her embarrassment, Hannah, hoping that Mary’s lack of a menstrual period has been caused by stress or emotional turmoil, suggests that Mary go to visit her aunt, Hannah’s older sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah, a Levite priest in the Jerusalem Temple, lives on the outskirts of Jerusalem in a dwelling much more luxurious than that of Hannah and Joachim. Mary is comforted by Elizabeth, herself pregnant in old age. The two women—aunt and niece—form a friendship that proves to be providential for Mary. Nevertheless, she is continually anxious about how Joseph will react to her conundrum. Will he accept her as his wife, or will he divorce her as unfaithful? Knowing that the social circumstances preclude the celebratory wedding that the families have planned, and realizing that, as a tradesman, her soon-to-be husband will face the brunt of villagers’ disapproval daily, Mary is caught between the desire to be with her family and the need to know the mind and heart of Joseph.
Mary and Joseph begin their married life together under the cloud of social censure, but also in the euphoria that brings joy to the hearts of all newlyweds. They are at last together as husband and wife, awaiting the birth of their firstborn, when Joseph hears the news that the Roman emperor has decreed that a census be taken of the entire empire and that each male head of household be counted in the location of the family’s ancestral home. Thus begins the journey of the very pregnant Mary and Joseph to Joseph’s ancestral home, the city of David: Bethlehem.
Holmes marvelously paints the lives of these two singular humans, with whose story her readers are so familiar, in moving and palpable detail until the months just following the birth of the child.
Christian Themes
Two from Galilee is a story of family life, especially as that relates to young adults in the culture of first century Judaism. The societal mores and strong familial bonds cementing the culture are all in evidence here. Layered on this depiction of Jewish culture and daily life is the overarching belief in the centrality of God to life. God as the center is foundational, not only to Judaism but also to the followers of Jesus.
This is dramatically evidenced in the character of Mary as she places herself totally in God’s hands, even to her obvious social peril and detriment. God is also at the center of Joseph’s life: Joseph opens himself to the guidance of God’s spirit and accepts circumstances—a virgin birth—totally beyond his comprehension. Joseph goes about his daily work of making a living and preparing a home for his family in a community that is well aware that he is not the father of Mary’s baby. He overcomes his masculine pride, dealing with both with his own doubts and with social ostracism, to maintain his faith in Mary and in God. Although it takes some time for Mary’s parents to accept God’s will, they eventually do, Joachim with some initial wavering and Hannah, the controlling manipulator, finally accepting that God has truly chosen her daughter to bear the Messiah. Each of these exemplifies true faith in God. This faith is depicted with a realism that reveals the daily struggles to accept God’s will—as a faith that is lived out every day in ordinary life, in the dust of the farm, the carpenter shop, and the kitchen.
Sources for Further Study
Holmes, Marjorie. Three from Galilee. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985. In this sequel, Holmes portrays the daily life and struggles of the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, during the Nazareth years. The author applies her insightful character development not only to the humanity of Mary and Joseph but also to the Savior himself.
Holmes, Marjorie. The Messiah. New York: Harper & Row, 1987. The third novel in the series portrays Jesus’ ministry and Passion.
Nixon, C. Robert. Review of The Messiah. Library Journal 112, no. 15 (September 15, 1987): 94. This review of the third novel of the series concludes that, “on the whole, Holmes has done a remarkably good job, giving us a believably divine human and nicely drawing the characters that surround him.”
Widmer, Cynthia. Review of Three from Galilee. Library Journal 110, no. 15 (September 15, 1985): 93. A review of Holmes’s first sequel to Two from Galilee.