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Strange Mixture
A Nativity scene—Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in the manger—has
come to symbolize the Christmas season. It evokes such feelings of peace
and joy.
But we forget what this young couple had to go through in order to arrive at that very special moment in time, history, and eternity.
Joseph was engaged. He probably felt fortunate that his fiancée’s parents had agreed to the marriage. She was sweet, kind, a hard worker, and she had a deep faith in God. He could not have asked for more.
But then… imagine his shock—Mary is pregnant! And he knows he is not the father. The hurt only depends when she tries to tell him this is the Holy Spirit's doing. It just seems to add mockery to the pain. He can’t stay with her, but he doesn’t want to shame her publicly either. He cares about her. And his struggle is intense. He wants to do the right thing… if he only knew or were sure what that (the right thing) is. Heartbroken, he decides to break up quietly and walk away.
Mary is met by an angel who tells her she is to be with child. She is not married. She knows people will talk. Worse yet, she knows she will be in danger of being stoned to death for her perceived sin. And Joseph… will he believe her? Will her parents believe her? She faces their pain and the recrimination in their eyes. Her reputation is shot. She is innocent. She has no way to prove it.
Two special people. Each deeply tried in a different way.
I like the simplicity with which Alexander Maclaren states their response. “Joseph took up his burden, and Mary hers, because God had spoken and they believed.”
God had spoken … Funny how belief and feelings can at times be so out of synch with each other. Yet inner turmoil and obedience often start out hand in hand, Peace is the fruit of obedience, not its seed.
So here they were. They knew this was long-awaited Messiah … lying in a manger. The creator of the universe… with no place to stay.
What a strange mixture of bewilderment and joy!
And because of that night, that strange mixture still holds true, for divinity inhabits human clay! Bewilderment … and joy!
--Maria Lund