From Nazareth to the Manger - Sacrafices

December 16-Sacrafices


Mary walks past the well with an apron full of kindling. This task was definitely easier a few months ago when she wasn’t also making room for the full moon of her pregnancy. A few friends of hers stop their drawing of the well bucket to stare at her as she passes by. Mary smiles. They do not. No doubt their fathers and mothers rebuked them months ago for their association with her. Pregnant and unmarried, she was now the most unworthy of outcasts. The story of the angel and her version of the tale had been circling Nazareth since she first returned from Elizabeth’s house. Truly, the last half a year had taught Mary what it means to stand firm and sometimes feel very much alone. There was so much more at stake right now. If only her “friends” could know and understand that.

Not far away, Joseph stands at the edge of the woods as he fells a small tree. He plans to use part of the trunk in the threshold of his new home. He pauses in his work to remove a thorn from his right hand and take a draw of water from his pouch. As he does so, he sees a group of young men enter the forest not far from him. He recognizes several as they talk and yell and clap each other on the back. These same men congratulated him not a year ago when he told them he had secured Joachim’s daughter in marriage. They laughed and made a few off color jokes as young men often do. When Mary returned from visiting Elizabeth and it was apparent that not all was as it seemed, Joseph had sought refuge in their company for a while. After the angel appeared to him, he approached Mary and her family and made it clear he would stand with her. His “friends” had quickly turned their backs. Joseph would never tell anyone, but parts of the work on his house had mysteriously fallen in. Stores of wood and supplies had disappeared. He would never bring such accusations before any counsel. It wasn’t worth it. There was so much more going on under the surface. Every pore on Joseph’s body knew that.

Sometimes God asks us to stand firm in His call despite what happens around us. We may sacrifice things that are near and dear to us but it is important to remember that we are far from the first called to do so. Despite what you have lost or sacrificed today remember, thousands of years ago, a young man and a young woman sacrificed so that a child could eventually come forth and make all things new.