December 8, 2019: How Did This Happen? - Kent Dobson

The announcement to Mary and Joseph was something that had been talked about before. What was shocking was not the announcement itself, or even Mary being pregnant as a virgin. What was most shocking was the fact that they went along with it. Joseph was to be a good son and do what his father and father’s father did before him. Carry on the family trade, and more importantly, the family line. He risked all of this by taking Mary as his wife. 

How is it that the risk of Mary and Joseph, their going against the established norms and expectations and both of them defying the set boundaries of morality that religion held in place – how is it that we have missed this scandal when celebrating Christmas? If we give ourselves over to this story and immerse ourselves fully in the craziness of it all, we just may have a keener understanding of Jesus and why he pushed boundaries himself.