Merry Christmas to all of you.

This holiday is a favorite for many people, myself included. It brings feelings of excitement, joy, anticipation and sometimes even a sense of overwhelming dread with so many things on our “to do” lists. This year while thinking so much about Jesus’ birth, I found myself focusing on Mary and Joseph. I tried to imagine what it was like for them.

Mary, a teenage girl, receives a message from an angel. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:28-31 NIV).

Can you imagine her shock and initial fear? The young girl is a virgin and pledged to a man named Joseph. Then she is told she will become pregnant while still unwed. Did she think about what others would say about her? What about her parents? Surely they will be upset and disappointed in her? And Joseph; how would she explain this to him? Did she fear he would leave her? If she was fearful of these consequences she never shows it. She simply says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38  NIV). Mary had so much faith, so much courage. She put her trust in God the Father and said yes.

Now Joseph was known to be a righteous man. Can you imagine his fear, even anger when he finds out Mary is pregnant? How humiliated he must have felt. Then one night he has a dream. “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21  NIV). Waking up from a dream like that could stir up all sorts of emotions. But Joseph remained honorable. He trusted and had faith in God just as Mary did.

After accepting this challenge another one presents itself. They find out they have to move. They have to leave Jerusalem and move to Bethlehem. The thought of being very pregnant, traveling for days while riding on a donkey does not sound appealing at all. Yet again, Mary and Joseph remain courageous and deep in faith. We all know the end of this story. The end of Mary’s teenage pregnancy gave us the greatest gift of all, Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Mary and Joseph’s ‘yes’ to God’s call changed the world. Their lives had so much influence on our lives. Jesus is the reason for the season but I feel such gratitude and love for his earthly parents. Their faith, courage, hope and love are examples of what I must have when God calls me to do something. Who knows; maybe my yes will influence another life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you chose Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus. He will always be the greatest gift of all.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16  NIV