Scandal at Christmas

Joseph and Mary would be married within the year. Their families likely arranged the marriage, and everyone looked forward to the wedding. Then everything changed when Mary became pregnant and told an outrageous story of getting that way from God. The Gospel writer, Luke, tells us God had sent the angel Gabriel with a message for Mary: “Do not be afraid, you will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:28-31). Mary overcame her shock and asked the angel, “How is this possible since I am a virgin?” The angel told her the pregnancy would happen miraculously, and she would have a son, and he would be called the Son of God. Gabriel also told her that her older cousin, Elizabeth, was going to have a baby. Mary demonstrated remarkable maturity in her answer: “I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said.”

Not only Joseph but his and her families likely rejected Mary, the story being too far-fetched to comprehend. All of this causes Joseph to consider divorcing her. Mary’s and Joseph’s parents probably reacted in anger and shame. In response, Mary felt the need to flee immediately to visit Elizabeth.

With Joseph on the verge of divorcing Mary, he needed direction and got it from God. Gabriel appeared to him and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife; the baby will be a boy and should be named Jesus. (Matt 1:20-24). What relief Mary and Joseph must have experienced after Joseph told her that the angel had confirmed her story to him, and he now believed her. They might not have had their families’ support, but they had each other and knew God was directing their lives. Now Joseph and Mary were married by a rabbi in the synagogue, probably without the company of any of their families. Two families that had looked forward to a wedding were confused and alienated.

Mary and Joseph travel the 80 miles to Bethlehem to register for the census, but that is where Isaiah the prophet says the Messiah would be born. There was no room for Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, even though she was ready to give birth. Joseph would have gone to relatives first to seek a room from them with his very pregnant wife, but without success. Someone finally conceded them a place in the back of a house, probably a cave used as a stable for the animals.

Mary and Joseph are alone in Bethlehem in a stable, and Mary is ready to give birth. How alone they must have felt, but God was there, and though their accommodations were humble, angels watched over them as their son was born. They soon discovered that this event would be one of many unique events that Mary recorded in a special journal that she kept close to her heart.