Christmas - That We Might Have Lifeنموونە

DAY 2, DEVOTION 2

Mother Mary and Her Unplanned Pregnancy

She did not plan on being pregnant. She was not even married. She was frightened. Her fiancé was going to end the relationship. Her community would disparage her and stigmatize the child. Feeling alone, she went away, to a place where she would be loved and insulated from the pressure and where she could ponder what this pregnancy might mean for her, the child, her community, and her world (Luke 1:39-56). Then, the government, having legalized infant killing, wanted the child dead.

Her name was Mary. Her fiancé’s name was Joseph. And the child’s name is Jesus.

The nativity story represents the story of each and every one of us. We, sinners, were powerless before a holy God. A sinful world conspired against our ability to have a flourishing life together with Him and our family. But the Lord intervened in a way that covered our sin and protected our lives from being destroyed. The cross allows us to be adopted as children of God. Our adopted status has given us access to God’s throne, with full standing and a voice and power to leverage, like Christ, on behalf of the most vulnerable.

As it was for Mary, many pregnancies are a surprise. And welcome or not, each pregnancy represents the Lord's kind providence and intention for the parent to participate in His adorning of history with that new person. To a woman who is alone, an unplanned pregnancy can appear hopeless. But from God’s view, there is no such thing as an unplanned pregnancy. And where there is life, there is hope.

Christmas reminds us that there is nothing sacred in this world but God and people. During the Christmas season, we remember the sacrifice God made by humbling Himself, becoming a man, and submitting Himself to the ignoble death on a cross. He drank the full cup of God’s wrath against sin on the cross. He endured all this for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2) – the salvation of humanity from sin and death. Jesus’ infinite sacrifice demonstrates the supreme worth our wise and holy Lord places upon people; people whom He calls His children (John 1:12-13).

Questions for Reflection

Thinking about the culture of the Ancient Days, what might you have done if you faced an unplanned pregnancy?

How is that different than what women experience today?

“Joy to the World” is an oft-sung Christmas carol. What does it mean "for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross”?

Father God,

As we ponder the many miracles surrounding Jesus’ birth and the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy, we can’t imagine both the amount of joy and the undeserved scorn she might have felt. One miracle we overlook is Mary’s endurance and perseverance. May we look to her example when we are faced with challenges in life. May we always trust in Your perfect plan for us.

Amen.