Heroes: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistryNäide

SACRIFICE: MARY, WIFE OF JOSEPH

When the angel Gabriel came to a woman named Mary with the world's most unusual birth announcement, it may have sounded a little glamorous. "Son of the Most High God, throne of His father David, reign over the house of Jacob forever . . ." Whew! Mary must have been giddy at first.

But her role was going to cost her. Bearing the label of unwed mother was no treat in a small town. Neither was deciding to go with Joseph to register in Bethlehem for the imperial census. "Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:4-5)

Would you like to walk or donkey ride 80 miles over some very hilly dirt roads while very pregnant? No? I didn't think so. I don't know if Mary mistimed her due date or simply decided that she couldn't bear to stay alone in Nazareth, but she made the trek nine months pregnant.

What about the trauma of going into labor in a barn, in the dark, with your carpenter/fiancé as your midwife? This woman is a hero. All generations indeed shall call her blessed.