Next [Opinion Column]

 

To the Girls

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I’m pregnant.

May I predict your reaction? I am happy to say that for most of you disbelief would come first. Following closely on its heels is shock. You’re probably incredulous and want to confirm the news; how and perhaps more importantly why did I become pregnant?

Suppose I told you I didn’t really have a choice in the matter. Rape, you say. No, I reply; I’m still a virgin. You thoughtfully check my pulse as I tell you an angel visited me and wonder if I’m insane when I tell you this baby is the Son of God.

Seeing as I have never been pregnant, am not currently, and by the grace of God will not be until after marriage, I can only imagine the feelings of confessing to an unexpected, unwanted pregnancy. Can you fathom sharing such scandalous news if you really did know you were completely innocent? Nobody would believe you. (You’re pregnant and you’re still a virgin? That’s not pregnancy, that’s insanity.) They’ll drag you beyond the city wall and stone you. You’re only a young girl; there’s so much to live for. And oh, did I mention you’re engaged?

Although I’ve heard countless references to her, traced her veneration throughout history, and acted out her part six years in a row in our annual family play, as I looked closer at this section of the Christmas story I discovered a lot more to Mary than I’d ever seen before.

She had some golden qualities. Here is what I found out about Mary:
            --She was a virgin. “. . . God sent the angel Gabriel . . . to a virgin . . . .” (Luke 1:26-27)

            --She’d made a life-changing promise. “. . . pledged to be married to a man named Joseph . . . .” (Luke 1:27)

            --She was human. She was scared, and she doubted. “Mary was greatly troubled at his words . . . ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1: 29, 34)

            --She did not question. Her heart waited to serve. “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to be as you have said.’” (Luke 1:38) No “How am I going to tell my family?” or even “When’s the due date?” only “I am the Lord’s servant.” Period.

--She was humble. “’My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’” (Luke 1:47-48)

When I stopped to think about it, I realized Mary was going to need all the help she could get. She was going to be mother to her Savior. She had to raise a perfect child . . . among other siblings; those are some major peace-keeping skills right there!

God didn’t leave her without help; he will never make our burdens too heavy.

--Her betrothed, Joseph, was a godly man. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19) That’s known as true, reallove. He cared about her and about her reputation.

--Mary’s cousin Elizabeth just “happened” to be pregnant at the same time. “’Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age . . . .’” (Luke 1:36) This would have been some awesome moral support. Mary was excited too: “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” (Luke 1:39, emphasis mine) This is also symbolic: just as John the Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus, Elizabeth was the “forerunner” for Mary.

Jesus knew what he was doing when he chose Mary to be his mother. He gave her everything she needed. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (II Peter 1:3) She responded with a willing heart. “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38)

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” –Isaiah 7:14