Christ is born: the scandal

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Nativity lectures 2023b

before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. (18b). And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. (19)

Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 2

Juicy scandal

The label single mother was once a terrible fate for a woman, young or old.  In our times promiscuity, casual sex, and extramarital affairs are quite common and frowned upon.  They definitely were in New Testament times Judea.  In an age when no one gets engaged for marriage casually one realizes that there’s a certain amount of publicity to one’s romance. 

So what can happen when a woman is found pregnant in a society where women are often the victim of both crime and the justice system?

God impregnates a young girl

Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married when she was found pregnant.  The Bible contains no narrative about family discussions on both sides, meaning Joseph’s side of the proposed family alleging infidelity of Mary and her family suspecting that the girl’s the story is unreliable, and that Joseph had bewitched the girl to say that God had made her pregnant.  Scandal of scandals!  

How does one extricate oneself from such a dilemma is the subject of the following inspired words by Luke.

Joseph her husband

  1. 19) being a righteous man and 
  2. not wanting to disgrace her,
  3.  planned to send her away secretly. 
  1. (Verse 20)  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:19-20, NASB)

God’s word to Joseph. Something extraordinary is happening, proceed with your marriage 

It is apparent that Joseph being extremely reverent about the matter not only puts aside his plan to send Mary away into obscurity, he embarked upon 9 months of celibacy.  We may even consider that he did not follow instructions precisely, because taking the woman as his wife would normally mean consummating the marriage.

Here’s a great reason to remember the Christ-child and marvel at the mystery Again this aspect of the Nativity story is transformed graciously from scandal into stepping stone.  We see how the Christ child becomes known as Joseph’s son, the Carpenter’s son, along with his brothers and sisters.  Some scandal!

Here’s a great reason to remember the Christ-child and marvel at the mystery.  He did not stop being God to become the world’s Saviour. This twist of human affairs relates precisely with the  Son of God’s demonstrated ability to turn things around. This aspect of the Nativity story is transformed graciously from scandal into stepping stone.  We see how the Christ child becomes known as Joseph’s son.  the Carpenter’s son along with his brothers and sisters.  Some scandal!