Have you ever thought about how often an ordinary event in life can become an extraordinary event? Sometimes we are simply making our way through life, and what seems like a simple event or an everyday occurrence can suddenly become overwhelmingly wonderful. We don’t expect it, so it usually catches us off guard.
I think about this in the case of Mary and Joseph. They were betrothed. We don’t do betrothals much today. However, in Bible times, betrothal was step #1 in the 2-step process of becoming married. Typically, marriages were arranged by the parents of the couple. Once both sets of parents came to an agreement, there was a betrothal ceremony held so that the couple could pledge themselves to a future union. During the betrothal period, the couple was legally a couple, but they each remained living with their own family until the wedding day. Step #2, of course, was the marriage ceremony, after which the couple would live together as husband and wife.
Since Mary and Joseph were betrothed, they were not living together. However, they would have been spending time together and preparing themselves for their wedding day. They would have been dreaming together about what their lives would look like. They would have talked about where they would live, that Joseph would continue to be a carpenter in his father’s carpentry shop, and how many children they hoped to be blessed with. These were normal occurrences.
But when that angel appeared to Mary, everything changed. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now you will bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31) This had the potential of destroying the relationship Mary and Joseph had. Because they were betrothed, Joseph had the right to divorce her and leave her on her own. In fact, when Mary told Joseph the news, he planned to do just that. However, God sent an angel to Joseph who said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20)
Suddenly an ordinary everyday occurrence became extraordinary. Suddenly Mary was preparing to bear the long-awaited Messiah. Suddenly with very little warning she was expecting a baby. Suddenly they were being visited by angels. Suddenly both Mary and Joseph had their lives turned upside down. And it all became a grand and glorious occasion that absolutely changed the world forever.
When our circumstances change from ordinary to extraordinary, they don’t usually change the world in this way. However, they change our lives forever. I encourage you to pay attention to the circumstances in your lives that change from ordinary to extraordinary and to celebrate them. Such unexpected occurrences are a blessing!
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!
Pastor Beth
920-562-2853
