A Christmas Birth - The Extraordinary Story of Unextraordinary People
For the past two years, Heartbeat Press' December edition has centered around the Christmas Story and the amazing Pro-Life message it holds - for mothers, fathers, and the greater population. We've discussed the example of Mary (as a profound example of what God-given peace looks like in the face of unwelcome surprises) and we've delved into the mind of Joseph (the reluctant father-turned-defender of a child who wasn't his, proving that love doesn't begin with blood). In both newsletters, we pointed out that the Christmas Story is, above all else, a tale of hope and joy and one that should be a yearly reminder that unexpected babies, no matter their circumstances, are worthy of life and love. But in this, our third exploration of the most Pro-Life holiday, Heartbeat Press wants to highlight another point, one that had little to no page space in previous years but that is still vitally important to remember. Namely, that a key reason that the Christmas Story is so spectacular and still inspires unrequited kindness to this day is the fact that Mary and Joseph were completely ordinary people - unimportant by their own rights but made capable of doing a great thing through the Lord.
Centuries removed from the time and place and offset by the holiday bacchanal that often bathes the nativity family in holy light sporting golden halos, most people tend to forget that Mary and Joseph were two very average people who, prior to the birth of Jesus, were not remarkable for their day, had no plans of grandeur, and were not expected to rise beyond the expectations of "success" that 4 B.C. Israel had for them. Compounding this (at the time of the Christmas Story), they were refugees and a disgraced couple (pregnant out of wedlock/accepting of a ruined woman) at whom no one cared to look twice. They arrived in Bethlehem ragged and dirty. Joseph was in the throes of panic trying to find a place for his wife to stay in an unwelcoming city. Mary was suffering through all the pains of labor and the anxiety of the uncertain. They were anything but the pristine picture of holy fortitude that we think of today.
And yet, even in their terrible situation, God was with Mary and Joseph. Not only watching over them from above but present in their very midst (in Mary's womb), feeling every shaky breath, rapid heartbeat, and falling tear, and glowing with pride for the couple He had chosen to be His parents on earth because they were trusting in Him, doing everything they could to bring their baby into the world safe, warm, and loved, despite their circumstances. Through dirt and sweat and blood, Mary and Joseph held onto each other. Everything was uncertain except God's goodness and their willingness to lean on that enabled this insignificant couple from nowhere to begin the most profound story of love every written. They didn't know it at the time, but their pain had a great purpose that was made far more beautiful by the emptiness (rather than polished holiday splendor) that they brought to it.
While missing the virginal conception aspect, writing this piece showed me that the story of Mary and Joseph (the Christmas Story) is not dissimilar to the condition of many couples that walk through the doors of pregnancy resource centers every single day. Just like Mary, the mothers may feel overwhelmed or afraid. Just like Joseph, the fathers may be lost for their next steps or questioning what they can possibly do. It the throes of "the worst moment of their lives," these couples are in emotional turmoil, they may be missing even the most basic necessities, and they feel utterly alone and unseen. They are looking for a lifeline of any sort...which the volunteers at pregnancy resource centers are uniquely placed to offer wholeheartedly.
This holiday season, please remember the ministry in which you have been placed and the God-given worth of every person who walks through your doors. Despite their appearance, situation, similarity to you (of not), they are God's children, and deeply loved ones at that. They are utterly deserving of love and support, as much as you can offer, given in genuine care. They're no different than the couple we now revere as the parents of Christ, so why do "unknowns" deserve any less attention?
At the same time, the interaction that you can have with these couples is a beautiful opportunity that God has asked you to take up. In ministering to the person visiting a pregnancy resource center, perhaps God has called upon you to display those other qualities from Mary and Joseph that Heartbeat Press has discussed in previous years. Perhaps you are meant to be that person's anchoring peace in the storm of their circumstances. Perhaps you are meant to be a strong arm to cling to. Maybe God has placed this person in your path to show you a picture of yourself in His eyes and the overwhelming, all-encompassing love that spills out as a result. Mary and Joseph were tow unextraordinary people, but God still allowed them to do an extraordinary thing. "May that be truly said of us...," that we followed God's lead when He calls us in every circumstance. One never knows what little thing will change the world, for even just one person.
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