On the fourth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, four upset parents, three gifts from wisemen, two speaking prophets, and a great big herd of bleating, dumb sheep.
Okay, four upset parents is probably an understatement. My guess it was more like two upset families, multiple upset extended family members and friends, and a horde of gossip-mongering neighbors. Pregnant before marriage? That's a stoning offense buster! Can you imagine Joseph trying to explain that one to his parents and friends? His clients? What upstanding person in the community wants to buy a kitchen table from someone guilty enough to be stoned? And Joseph wasn't the only one encountering all sorts of questioning and rude comments.
Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (sorry, but I didn't look up their familial connection) { Luke 1} and comes home about the time she'd start showing. I think we can all imagine what types of conversation that spawned. I find it cool that after Mary's news, she immediately ran to the first person the angel mentioned to her. Was she seeking proof or validation? Understanding? Or was she simply desiring to help out an older friend in her time of need? Who in her family traveled with her? Did the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy travel back with Mary and ease the gossip about her situation? And how did Joseph's parents react when he decided to give Mary another chance (or take a really big risk by marrying such an unscrupulous woman)?
The reality is, I'm sure the parents of these two were about the same any parents would have. They probably had a roller coaster of emotions. We know that both Joseph and Mary were concerned about honoring the law, which makes us unnecessarily assume their parents were as well. Either way, I like what Mary had to say to Elizabeth in Luke 1:
She recognized her pregnancy as the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham by God, the I AM! I've often wondered just how much Mary understood about what was to come with her little boy. The Bible says after his birth and all his visitors she "pondered these things in her heart". But regardless of how much she grasped about the situation, we have to surmise that both she and Joseph had great courage and obedience, as well as a recognition that all they had been taught about the law and its giver, the I AM, was TRUE!!, even if it didn't make their parents very happy.
Okay, four upset parents is probably an understatement. My guess it was more like two upset families, multiple upset extended family members and friends, and a horde of gossip-mongering neighbors. Pregnant before marriage? That's a stoning offense buster! Can you imagine Joseph trying to explain that one to his parents and friends? His clients? What upstanding person in the community wants to buy a kitchen table from someone guilty enough to be stoned? And Joseph wasn't the only one encountering all sorts of questioning and rude comments.
Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (sorry, but I didn't look up their familial connection) { Luke 1} and comes home about the time she'd start showing. I think we can all imagine what types of conversation that spawned. I find it cool that after Mary's news, she immediately ran to the first person the angel mentioned to her. Was she seeking proof or validation? Understanding? Or was she simply desiring to help out an older friend in her time of need? Who in her family traveled with her? Did the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy travel back with Mary and ease the gossip about her situation? And how did Joseph's parents react when he decided to give Mary another chance (or take a really big risk by marrying such an unscrupulous woman)?
The reality is, I'm sure the parents of these two were about the same any parents would have. They probably had a roller coaster of emotions. We know that both Joseph and Mary were concerned about honoring the law, which makes us unnecessarily assume their parents were as well. Either way, I like what Mary had to say to Elizabeth in Luke 1:
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.
She recognized her pregnancy as the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham by God, the I AM! I've often wondered just how much Mary understood about what was to come with her little boy. The Bible says after his birth and all his visitors she "pondered these things in her heart". But regardless of how much she grasped about the situation, we have to surmise that both she and Joseph had great courage and obedience, as well as a recognition that all they had been taught about the law and its giver, the I AM, was TRUE!!, even if it didn't make their parents very happy.
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