Faithfully yours - Christmas is a time to reflect

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Published on Sunday, December 4, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

In today’s society, especially in North America, the news that a teen-aged girl is pregnant out of wedlock will probably send a few shock waves through her family and that of her baby’s father.

But in the wider community, there will be little or no reaction. Thankfully, the days of referring to children of unwed mothers as “bastards” or “illegitimate” are, for the most part, gone. In the eyes of the law, a person who is old enough to engage in consensual sex with a partner is also old enough to face the consequences of that act, whatever they might happen to be.

The law also affirms and protects the mother’s right to decide whether or not to terminate her pregnancy (get an abortion). If she chooses not to terminate it, the law offers her two options. She can put her baby up for adoption or she can raise it herself; with or without the father’s presence or support.

That’s how it is today. That’s not how it was in the day that Jesus was born.

In those days, especially among the Jewish people, the rules were very clear. Marriages were arranged by the parents of the bride and groom; often when the children were very young. At the appropriate time, the couple went through an engagement ceremony in which they pledged their love and faithfulness to each other until death. Each then returned to his or her respective home.

They would not see each other for roughly a year. The groom would spend that time preparing a home for his bride. The bride would learn the skills and gather the things she needed to set up housekeeping and raise children. When all was ready, the groom would come for his bride, another formal ceremony would be held and the couple would move in together, consummate their marriage and begin their family.

Any deviation from this pattern was considered a serious offense. So imagine the shock and feelings of betrayal that must have filled the minds of Joseph, his and Mary’s parents when her pregnancy was discovered. Most were looking at Mary and saying: “What have you done?”

But Joseph is thinking: “What do I do now?” He knew that he held Mary’s future in his hands and that Mary was trusting him to do the right thing—whatever that turned out to be.

Joseph had three options. He could accuse her of adultery and demand that she be punished. He could call off the wedding and find another wife. Or he could go through with the wedding, adopt Mary’s child and raise it as his own. His decision would be made quickly, thanks to a visit from Gabriel—God’s messenger angel. “Joseph,” the angel said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. Her child is the son of God. Call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph obeyed and a quiet wedding took place. Mary now had a husband and a home.

This experience helped Mary and Joseph lay the foundation for a long and fulfilling marriage. Their union was based on trust and faith—absolute trust in each other and unwavering faith in God. Those qualities, if released in us, will produce the same results in all our relationships.

This week, take an honest look at your relationships. In which can you see the absolute trust and unwavering faith that were so evident in Mary and Joseph? In which of your relationships is there room for improvement? Let’s reflect on that this week.