Thursday Thoughts

Happy December!

November completely blew by, and I hope that everyone was able to enjoy their Thanksgiving holidays with loved ones, and are also joyously celebrating this Christmas season~ :) I love December; I know it's been a couple of years since I last did a Christmas giveaway series, but my love of Christmas has definitely not changed. Who knows, maybe this year, there is something waiting right around the corner for those who wait patiently 😉

As much as I love the cheerful displays of this time of year, the happy Christmas songs about mistletoe, love, and the birth of Jesus, I can't help but find this time a year a little melancholic. Not in a bad way - but I always feel like this time of year brings about a lot more thoughts and reflection.

Something that I'm always struck by in the story of Christmas is that there is so much more to the Gospel message than just "He came. He died. He rose again. We're saved." We definitely should keep our focus on Jesus and God's love, but I think there are so many aspects of that get watered down when we gloss over details that give meaning to what a Christmas miracle Jesus is. Immanuel -- God with us -- is not just a product of the New Testament with a few Old Testament foreshadowings. We see that even in just following Mary and Joseph.

Mary

Can you imagine being Mary? During a time where purity culture and slut shaming were literally grounds for death (John 8:3), she was found pregnant out of wedlock. Even back then, they understood that babies came from sex, and she was very clear that she was a virgin. She didn't understand how she could be pregnant, but she chose to obey:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” -Luke 1:38

What would that obedience and faith have cost her? She was at the time betrothed to Joseph - which back then would have the weight of marriage, but they would not yet have consummated their marriage. The Bible doesn't specify on how well Mary and Joseph knew each other, but historical context tells us that it's likely that their families had arranged the marriage, and that the two may have just been acquaintances who knew of each other before their betrothal. This means that Mary would not only be trusting God - and that the angel spoke the truth about her being in God's favor - but trusting that Joseph would not turn her in to be stoned to death upon finding out about her pregnancy. She obeyed, despite her life being on the line.

Joseph

And what about Joseph? The Bible says that Joseph was a just man, who was going to quietly divorce Mary to avoid humiliating her (Matthew 1:19), when an angel appeared and told him that Mary was not unfaithful, and therefore he can marry her (Matthew 1:20). His reaction was also obedience:

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. -Matthew 1:24

It did not change the fact that Mary was pregnant before they were officially married and consummated their marriage. As much as a woman's chastity was the forefront of her social identity, a man's reputation was just as important. It wouldn't just be a reflection on him as a person, but even his family. It is so important that Scripture documents Joseph as a just man - not just any normal dude. His reputation was in his just-ness -- having integrity, being faithful, righteous, etc. Staying betrothed to Mary and marrying her was social suicide.

Even back then, people knew how long a pregnancy should be - and they can do the math. Either Mary and Joseph engaged in premarital sex, or Joseph was letting Mary cheat on him and he was willing to take care of a child who wasn't his. He would essentially be admitting to be one of: sinful man, or a cuck (for lack of better modern terminology), and neither of those social titles would have served him and his family well.

Faith

Both Mary and Joseph surrendered their worldly identities and trusted in God's plan and redemption. It wasn't as simple as being bullied for something they didn't do, but they both literally put their lives on the line. They trusted that there was something so much greater for this son-to-be, and that they were selected specifically for this task. What was it like to be Mary and Joseph, having faith through this? And then being turned away from an inn while Mary was in labor and having to give birth it in a manger? And then even having to flee to Egypt to avoid King Herod's massacre shortly after giving birth?

The sacrifices and the faith of those before us literally shaped Christianity. I often think... what if Mary didn't want to obey? What if it was too much, and she said no? What if Joseph decided to go ahead and divorce Mary anyways, for the sake of his reputation? What if they ignored the warnings regarding King Herod? What if?

But on the flip side of the coin, we see God's faithfulness throughout this entire situation. He knew the hearts of Mary and Joseph - He selected them, knowing Mary's willingness to serve, and Joseph's integrity. He forewarned them and let them choose to move forward. He knew they would be able to step up to the plate. He knew that they would be tested and tried during this, but He also knew they would pull through. He let Mary and Joseph (and baby Jesus) be a part of the census, so that there would be documentation. Yet, He did not let them stay in the inn, where they may have been an easier target for Herod. Instead, by giving birth in a manger, they were able to be visited by the Magi and be warned and run. Despite every obstacle, God continually showed His provision and plan for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Prophecies told us that Jesus would be a king. What we didn't know was that Jesus was born to bear our sin on the cross. He was born to die for us. King of Jews - the throne He was lifted up on was a crucifix while He was crowned with thorns. He died so He could defeat death and rise again, and give us that victory, so we can also have hope in eternal life. But all of that has been orchestrated by God the Father - the God who had forsaken Jesus on the cross - so that He could be with us more intimately. It was God's desire to have God with us, and God made a way, and the cost of that way was in no way small. And it's because of this, I find Christmas a joyous, yet melancholic season to celebrate.

What about for you? What does this holiday season mean to you?

I wish you and your family and loved ones a fun and joyful time! :)