THE WEEKLY BIBLE COMMENTARY by Wes Woodard 12-25

The Scripture says that Mary became pregnant while she was betrothed to Joseph before they came together.  “And Joseph … being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But an angel of the Lord appeared 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.’”

 Joseph thought that some other man had impregnated Mary. This is why an angel had to come and tell him that it was not so.  Bad news always travels fast and this is why the religious leaders still thought that Jesus was an illegitimate child. This is why they said to Jesus in John 8:41, “We were not born of fornication.”

Mary bore shame for her entire life. Most Jews of that time believed that she had committed fornication, but she and Joseph knew the truth and quietly endured. Her (shame) Son, is the reason for Christmas and the gift for our salvation.

Merry Christmas.