Think of Mary. She was a young woman, obviously of pure heart who lived her life in an exemplary manner. She was worthy to be visited by the angel Gabriel and had faith enough to not fear the experience. She willingly accepted her role with meekness and humility. What a great amount of faith she must have had. And then she had to tell this man she was going to marry that she was pregnant and he was more aware than anyone else that the child was NOT his. I imagine she must have been a bit scared but received necessary reassurance that all would be well.
I wonder if she doubted when Joseph left her after hearing this amazing news. He must have taken some time to ponder this and we know from the scriptures that he was seriously considering walking away from her and this challenging experience. What did the angel say to him in that dream that changed his mind? And how must he have felt knowing that he had been the man Heavenly Father trusted to help raise His Beloved Son?
With faith, these two amazing people went forward with their marriage plans and chose to raise the Son of God. They were obedient to the law and traveled to Bethlehem from Nazareth. I am sure this was terribly uncomfortable for Mary. Joseph must not have been too laissez-faire about the journey either. I don't know many men who have not been anxious and concerned about the safety and comfort of their wives when they approach the delivery date. When they arrive in Jerusalem, there is no place fit for human habitation in which they could stay. There would be no offer of comfort. And if there was no room in the inns, there must have been no family with whom they could stay either. Who would assist in delivering the child who had made it known that he was ready to grace the world with his presence?
I imagine those two people, so far from home, finding a private place where Mary could labor to bring forth her child. I imagine Joseph being strong and helping her to deliver the babe. Her encourages her to breathe and push when the time comes. Finally, she pushes the baby from her womb. Joseph cuts the umbilical cord and assists in delivering and disposing of the afterbirth. Mary cleans her child and wraps him in the swaddling clothes she has prepared for this moment.
As the new parents are oohing and aahing over their beautiful son, counting fingers and toes, shepherds quietly impose on the new family. They had been tending the flocks for the Passover feast and an angel had appeared among them to tell them the glorious news: The Messiah has been born! The heavens were opened to their view and they hear and witness choirs of angels singing in exultation the glories of this magnificent event. These humble men desire to see the miraculous event and follow the direction of the star to see the babe who would be their Savior.
We are told in the Book of Mormon to "liken the scriptures unto ourselves." I think of the story of the Nativity and stand in awe of Mary and Joseph and all men and women who live with the faith to choose to marry and have children. For me--maybe because I'm a woman--I am very much aware of the fact that becoming a mother is a role I have been commanded to fulfill, just as was Eve in the beginning. I am also aware that, like Mary and Eve, this is a role that I cannot fulfill alone. I also know that each baby born is a son or daughter of God. There was only one Begotten Son of the Father, but we are all children of God.
In effect, each man and woman is asked to be the father and mother of sons and daughters of God. And it is not a temporary assignment. Mary stood alone at the cross and witnessed her son's crucifixion. She was present for his birth, his death, every scraped knee, his first carpentry project with Joseph, etc. And who was there to take him to the synagogue so he could learn? Joseph was. What a magnificent and challenging thing it must be to be a parent! You have been entrusted with a child of God! How Father in Heaven must trust you and desire to consistently assist you in guiding His children!
At this time of year, I express my heartfelt appreciation to those of you who have the faith and courage to ask another to be your partner in life and throughout eternity. I applaud your willingness to bring children into your homes and love them. I hear so many people talk about how Satan is trying to destroy families in these days. I think the biggest thing he is doing is making people afraid to risk everything with another person, thus preventing God's children from coming to the earth to do marvelous things, just as His other children have done. Thank you for having the faith to move forward in life and making sacrifices that only your spouse and Heavenly Father know of. You have made important decisions, sometimes only knowing that you have been told, "All will be well."
May all of us strive to have the faith and courage Mary and Joseph had to obey and do hard things. Because of their choices to follow what Heavenly Father had asked of them, all of God's children have been blessed. In the New Year, I hope we can all remember their examples and move forward with the faith to know that our Father in Heaven has great things for each of us to do and that we can do them if we trust Him and do not doubt.
Happy Christmas to all!
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