December 3, 2021 Scripture: Matthew 1:18- 2:23; Luke 1:26- 2:40; Hebrews 4:15
We must do what we can to keep from becoming desensitized from this familiar story.
Imagine. Really try to put yourself in 6 to 2 B.C. as a Jewish young person, in Israel, under Roman rule. Perhaps The Chosen will help you "visit". I am not referring to just any Roman rule, but the rule of Herod (the Great/Terrible). King Herod was a man who stopped at nothing to ensure his power. Ruthless and paranoid, he ordered the execution of his own wives, sons, friends and near the end of his life, hundreds (but more likely thousands of) innocent children (Matthew 2:16-17).
There was no middle class. Most were considered peasants and they usually aggregated the land. Lower classes included the unclean (lepers) and then the expendables (criminals). Only a small percentage of the population was made up of rulers, governing officials, soldiers and priests. Taxation was out of control. There was no way to hold tax collectors accountable for taxing even more heavily than Herod demanded. As a peasant, you lived in fear of what or who could be taken from you at any time.
Mary, a poor, young, devout woman was entrusted to carry and care for God-in-the-flesh. Her entire reputation was destroyed by the fact that everyone in her town probably knew she was pregnant before marrying Joseph. Joseph was a poor, skilled carpenter. As far as he was concerned, the Savior of the world would be his responsibility. Imagine the sheer weight of that position.
The timing of the conception was after Mary and Joseph were betrothed (engaged), but before they were married (Luke 1:26-27). God allowed it to be this way. Did Mary's parents even believe she was a virgin and the child in her womb was God's son? Imagine how lonely she could have felt--a social outcast with a scandalous reputation. If Joseph had accused her, Mary may well have been put to death! What worry could have come over her if she did not trust in the Lord her God. From the start of Mary's life to the point of the immaculate conception, Mary could have looked at her life and felt a good God would not do this to his own people. How easy it would have been to count the hardships, but Mary's faith and hope remained unwavering.
The travel to Bethlehem for the census came at the worst time for the delivery of Mary's first born. (Luke 2:1-5) They traveled about 90 miles--slow and steady, no doubt, being that Mary was quite pregnant.
Pause there. Can you even imagine?
The terrain. The stench from other travelers--animals and their poo. If you've ever been very pregnant, you might remember the sensitivity to smells. This was Mary's first pregnancy in her early teen years. She was probably scared and nowhere near her family or a familiar midwife. Her ankles likely hurt too much to walk. Her back may have hurt too much to ride for long periods. It was probably hot. What were sleeping arrangements like along the way being that Mary and Joseph had a very different set of circumstances. The anticipation. The weight of their ability to parent and provide. Once they arrived to Bethlehem, the city was too full. Since they travelled much more slowly than the average person. Where would the promised and prophesied King of the Jews be delivered? We know Jesus was was not born in a palace. We know shepherds and sheep were present.
The sound of sheep bleating.
The unfamiliarity.
Baby Jesus' first bed--a feeding trough! Did Mary have midwives or did she have to rely on Joseph for the labor? How uncommon for both. Joseph's first intimate experiences with Mary--a delivery? The first handful of years, Jesus moved a minimum of 4 substantial times, and at least once because his life was in danger. Surely, God could have planned a more comfortable set of circumstances for Jesus to arrive into. But, Jesus came to serve not to be served. (Matthew 20:28)
So, why at this time, and why into such challenging circumstances?
What attitudes did Mary and Joseph reflect as you read through These Scriptures?
How does thankfulness and gratitude guide perspective?
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