Unplanned Pregnancy: A Christmas Eve Reflection on Mary and Joseph

Mary, the mother of Jesus, can most certainly relate to the emotions of all women who experience an unexpected pregnancy. When the angel Gabriel shows up to inform the teenage Galilean girl that God has a little surprise in store for her, Mary experiences the shock of her life.

Gabriel bluntly announces, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ (Luke 1:31-32, The Message).

Mary trembles with a mixture of excitement and fear at Gabriel’s news. Granted, God has chosen her, a ‘nobody’ peasant girl, to attain the honor that Jewish women throughout history have desired. Yet an instant ethical dilemma accompanies the honor of being pregnant with the promised Messiah: everyone will assume Mary is pregnant out of wedlock.

Sure, she can claim that the Holy Spirit is the birth father of her unborn child. She can tell everyone that the child she’s carrying is the long-awaited Messiah. But she knows that her story will seem far-fetched at the very least. Imagine the thoughts that whirl through Mary’s mind: Why is this happening to me? I’m not married. My fiancé, Joseph, will think I’ve been sleeping with another man!

Joseph probably did think that, because he was prepared to break off the pending marriage. But fortunately, he, too, received an angelic visit that set him straight on the details of Mary’s mysterious pregnancy. Joseph agreed to stick by her, and the two of them (and God) prepared to face the wrath of their world head-on.

Mary and Joseph’s family, friends and neighbors must have thought the young couple had lost their minds. They glared at Mary, accusing her with their eyes: We see right through that outlandish story you’ve invented to cover up the fact that you’ve been a naughty girl. And Joseph – what a dope! That conniving little fiancé of his sure pulled the wool over his eyes. Why doesn’t he just disgrace her publicly or have her stoned?

It required more than a little strength of character for Mary and Joseph to ignore the criticism. For they knew that the ostracism, both subtle and blatant, would never diminish as long as they remained in Nazareth. So  they released their burden to God. With the assurance that God was in control, they allowed Him to direct their path.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the son of Mary, Joseph and God, my prayer is that you release the burdens you’re carrying to God. His Word in Matthew 11:28-30 offers the perfect encouragement: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or unfitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

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