Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

We are thrilled with the birth of Jesus and the miracle of a virgin giving birth to the Christ as foretold by Isaiah.  But have you considered what God had Mary and Joseph walk through to bring this about?  Who would have believed what they said – other than Elizabeth and Zechariah?

We are all aware that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph when the angel appeared to her and she conceived Jesus by the working of the Holy Spirit.  Joseph became aware of her being pregnant and was planning to divorce her quietly.  But then the angel appeared to him in a dream explaining everything so he took Mary home as his wife.  But…

What did Mary say to her parents and friends when asked about the pregnancy?  How likely was it that they believed her explanation?  Did she tell Joseph what happened?  If so, he didn’t believe her prior to his dream.  What did Joseph say to his friends or his relatives?  Would they have believed him?

Think of the looks and comments that reflected suspicion that the baby was due to him, or worse, some other man.  How likely was it that anyone believed that her pregnancy was due to God’s direct intervention?  On top of this, consider the thought that this “scandal” likely followed them, all the days of their lives.

Yet this was their destiny.  God chose them for it – knowing that it would be hard, but that He would be with them.  Mary and Joseph were chosen to raise His Son!  Imagine being entrusted with Jesus!

This Christmas season, remember Joseph and Mary and the difficult path they had to walk to fulfill God’s plan for them.  They chose to say “yes” to God no matter what difficulties obedience entailed.  They responded with faith.  May we respond as well to whatever God may ask of us.