The story of the birth of Jesus is a common one told around this time of year. Let’s take a fresh look at well-known verses and explore the perspective of the people involved, specifically Mary. Those who have attended church or know enough of the Bible may have heard that Mary is the mother of Jesus. She was a virgin when Jesus was conceived, around the age of 15, living in the village of Nazareth.

Matthew 1:18 says, “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. ²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph believes the angel. Matthew 1:24 says, “When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.”

Mary’s pregnancy progresses and she becomes more uncomfortable, probably enduring pain, as the birth of her baby draws near. As if being a pregnant virgin and a teenager is not enough for Mary to be working through, a census order is issued. Now she and Joseph have to travel 90 miles. Mary may have experienced emotional pain, ‘Why a census on top of everything else going on’? Riding on a donkey is not the most comfortable thing, but Mary was also very pregnant. She was most likely in pain with a sore back and feet all while on a donkey enduring varying terrain and temperatures. She was leaving her family behind as they traveled farther and farther away from everyone and everything she knew, which can be painful and scary.

When the time came for Mary to give birth, she was in a cave-like place laying in hay surrounded by animals. Mary was a teenager in pain with no doctor, no pain relief, little knowledge of what to expect, and no parent there to hold her hand. Mary had little to no privacy, she was a virgin giving birth with no medical team to check the baby and tell Mary he is ok. There were no books to read or pre-birthing classes. She and Joseph had to put all pain and confusion aside and go on faith that everything would be ok and that God would provide for and protect them.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Your love, guidance, provision and protection. Thank You for Jesus and for giving us Your Son. Thank you for the strength and courage shown by a teenager, may we have faith that can move mountains. Help us to keep our eyes on You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

The story of the birth of Jesus is a common one told around this time of year. Let’s take a fresh look at well-known verses and explore the perspective of the people involved, specifically Mary. Those who have attended church or know enough of the Bible may have heard that Mary is the mother of Jesus. She was a virgin when Jesus was conceived, around the age of 15, living in the village of Nazareth.

In the Old Testament, there are prophesies of Jesus’ future birth. One example is in Isaiah 9 verse 6, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.” Why is the child born, but the son is given? Mary gave birth to a child, Jesus. The same Jesus that is the Son of God. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son. It was through Mary carrying the baby and delivering the human child that God gave us His Son, His perfect sacrifice for our sins. Isaiah 53:10 says, “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin. . . the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.” It is confusing that God’s plan to crush His own Son is good. But, it is for our good that God sent His Son to be born of a virgin to then lay down His life as a sacrifice for our sin.

In the New Testament, Luke 1:26 says, “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” ²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! “³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” ³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Mary was given a promise by the angel, Gabriel, that came to visit her. The promise came true, Mary found herself pregnant as a teenager and as a virgin. From the time the angel addressed her as a favored woman, she was confused. How can she be highly favored by God, she was a humble servant to the Lord? Mary was engaged to a man that she loved, Joseph, but they had not engaged in sexual relations. How can she be pregnant?

When Joseph learned about the pregnancy, he was confused and hurt and going to divorce her. At that time when someone was engaged, it was as if they were married. Mary was now pregnant, confused, and alone with a story that sounded like a fantasy, a lie. Nobody would believe her and the Law demanded that Mary must be stoned for her promiscuity. How does someone who is called ‘favored’ by God wind up confused, considered a sinner by family and friends and now has her life in danger? In times of confusion, we must lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). We must cling to the fact that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than we can even think or consider (Isaiah 55:9). Mary had the faith and trust in God to say, “I am the Lord’s servant.” May we also be filled with faith bold enough to say to God, “Thy will be done.”

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, we thank You for giving us Your Son. Thank You for Jesus Who died on the cross for all of our sins and all we have to do is believe that truth. Father, please help us to stay focused on Jesus today and everyday. In the blessed name of Jesus we pray, amen.