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By Guest Columnist Deborah Dennis
Oh, how I love the holidays! All the decorations, Christmas music, getting together with family and friends, not to mention the food. Yet, there is no way I could write to you without talking about the real Reason for the Season. My heart wouldn't allow it. Jesus. He has been my Savior, Redeemer, Best Friend, Help in Times of Trouble, and so on. But I think it would be an injustice to Him not to mention the two people that were hand selected to be His earthly mom and dad.
There is really not much more I can say about Mary. She is forever remembered as a symbol of purity and goodness, the young woman favored above all others to carry God's very best. Her eternal goodness and holiness is a bit intimidating to me. It's not that I don't appreciate her, I just don't measure up. I wonder if she ever lost it with Jesus while he was growing up, like I have with my children. He was the Son of God who knew no sin, but he was still a kid. Surely he must have tried her patience at times. We know He did when He decided to stay at the Temple when he was twelve, causing Mary and Joseph much distress about his whereabouts. Did she ever turn to him while cooking and say, "Jesus, if I have to tell you ONE MORE TIME...." As a mother, I just wonder.
No, I feel like I have more in common with Joseph. I know that may sound strange, but hear me out. The first chapter of Matthew ( and I'm paraphrasing) tells the story of Joseph tossing and turning, wrestling with the idea of what to do about Mary. It seems that sweet little Mary was not so innocent. She was pregnant, and the baby wasn't his.
He was in the moral dilemma of his life. But after finally falling asleep, the Angel of the Lord spoke to him in a dream, telling him not to be afraid, go ahead and take Mary as his wife, that the child she was carrying was the Son Of God, and to name him Jesus.
Joseph was at a pivotal point in his life. If he had went on his emotions and not taken Mary as his wife, the entire plan of Salvation would have been aborted. Instead, he took God at His Word, and stepped out in faith. Of course, God knew what Joseph would do before He chose him to be the earthly father for His Son.
Sweet little Mary graciously accepted her role as the mother of Jesus. But Joseph wrestled. His struggle with God's plan and his role in it, causes me to identify with him more. I don't think the guy gets enough credit. Every nativity scene I see, which are few and far between these days, the poor guy is almost standing behind the scenes with the animals. Push that man to the front, he deserves it.
If a family unit is going to work, it takes mom and dad on board. That's why God chose two very special people to take care of Jesus. He wouldn't have trusted just anyone. They were willing to face all the obstacles of raising a child that was literally like no one else. Having a child with Autism, I can relate to that. But should't we all?
Whether having a child with a Special Need, or having a blended family, or just simply doing the best you can with the children that you have, we are stronger when we lean on our spouses. Being a good parent doesn't even mean that the child has to be biological. Let's face it, Joseph was a step-dad that chose to love Jesus anyway. I know so many people that choose to do this very same thing everyday.
As nice as it would be if you did, you don't even have to be a Christian to appreciate the life story of Mary and Joseph. Together, they carried the responsibility of bringing another life into the world, and did the best they could for their Son. Jesus was a carpenter, just like his dad. And while the disciples ran and hid, Mary followed her Son to the foot of the cross. A momma until the very end.
So, this holiday season, let's not only remember the birth of Jesus, but remember how important family is. I think that would please God. Let's not forget that He chose to send His Son as a baby.
Click here to read Deborah's first column.
Click here to read Deborah's second column.
There is an Autism and Spectrum Disorders Support Group in our area. Go to the Calendar of Events page and scroll down from the top to find out about Jeremiah's Promise and how you can become a part of this group.