Scripture & Thought
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
The birth of a child is not a time for asking questions – unless there are concerns about issues that are unknown in advance of the birth. The birth of a child is a time to celebrate – hopefully, without any complications at all. But we know there were complications surrounding the conception and subsequent birth of Jesus.
Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married, but not yet married. There was concern about Mary traveling such a great distance so late in her pregnancy. There was concern about whether or not there would be lodging for them in Bethlehem. And there was concern over where the birth would actually take place. But there was no concern over whether or not this was the plan of God.
Normal gestation is approximately 40 weeks from conception to delivery. Modern medicine divides pregnancy into three, three-month periods, or trimesters. Physicians warn young mothers about the dangers of strenuous activity during the third trimester – after the start of the 28th week of gestation. Mary was going to travel – by mule, no less – in her 39th week! And no physician was available.
But the timing of the birth of Mary’s first child was not the central question. The primary question was, “Why Mary?” Why would God select her for such a huge responsibility?
The Jews believed that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, according to the Isaiah 7:14 passage. Simply stated, this is what the Scripture states:
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES!
In the Old Testament, God’s promises were often accompanied by special signs. With Abraham, God “signed” his covenant with a ram caught in a thicket. With Moses, God “signed” his covenant with a flaming bush, a rod of power, and a series of miracles. When Mary asked, “How can this be, since I have no husband,” the angel offered two signs – her child would be conceived miraculously, and her cousin Elizabeth would bear a child in her old age. Both promises were fulfilled.
The signs were more than enough. Mary never questioned God further about the child. Not once, from those moments of revelation until her son was crucified on a cross.
Advent is not a time for questions. Instead, it is a time to celebrate Christ’s birth. And it is a time to celebrate God’s Covenant with all who follow him in faith. During Advent, let us celebrate the God we worship – a God so committed to keeping his promises that he accompanied them with signs that still cause us to wonder, and to worship!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that you remind me – with all the excitement of the Christmas season – that the central reason to celebrate Christmas is based on a promise God made through Isaiah many centuries ago, “And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!
Amen.