Joseph, Mary, & Jesus

Each year that passes, God teaches me something new about the real reason for this season. I try to visualize the night when Christ was born and the events leading up to it.

Joseph, an ordinary man, must have been devastated to find out his beloved was pregnant with child and it wasn't his (sounds like an episode of Jerry Springer, right?)! Just as this happens today, it happened over 2000 years ago.

Instead of shaming her in public, though, Joseph determined to quietly hide her away to keep her from public disgrace. Whatta man! But when the angel of the Lord spoke to him in a dream and commanded that he take Mary as his wife anyway--he obeyed--period. He was truly a comman man...but certainly a righteous man of God.

Mary, probably just a teenager, must have been scared to death and confused when the angel of the Lord told her she would conceive of the Holy Spirit. And she would be carrying the Messiah at that! What a responsibility!

I know if I were in her position, my first reaction would be, "Lord, I can't do that for You. It's just too much. I'm engaged to a wonderful man and I just want to have a normal life! Why don't you pick someone else?"

But Mary praised the Lord and obeyed without hesitation in the midst of her confusion. There is so much to learn from her love for the Lord--devotion, worship, obedience, faith, etc.

I am AMAZED at the faith of these two people. Imagine it...giving birth and raising the Savior of the entire world...and trying to be a good parent to God Himself!!! That'll blow your mind for sure.

And then Jesus--who came to earth as 100% man and 100% God. Imagine knowing him as he grew up. I wonder what kind of kid he was.

Was he funny? Did he throw temper tantrums? Did Mary have to deal with the "terrible twos?" Did he actually whine when he didn't get his way? Was he nice to his brothers and sisters? Did he talk back to his mom and dad? Did he have a horrible attitude during his teenage years like most?

It is still unfathomable to me sometimes to think that God came to earth to live among us--among sinners! He lived a perfect, flawless life only to be beaten beyond belief for being the King of kings and Lord of lords, then crucified on a cross to suffer and die for us, and finally buried only to raise from the dead three days later so that we may have forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. Wow!

All of this may cause one to doubt if it really happened as Scripture says. It seems so supernatural, right? But I truly believe every word of it.

My perspective of Christmas has changed so much since I was a kid. It is no longer about the presents, lights, decorations, and carols (though I love all those things very much). It is first about the worship and praise of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior. To God be the glory!