A traumatic first year of marriage

While the first year of marriage can be filled with challenges, Mary and Joseph faced a unique set of adversities. 

In addition to dealing with the implications of what some thought was an illegitimate birth, Mary and Joseph were trying to establish their home and learn to live with each other.  Joseph was running a business which he was forced to leave behind. The trip to Bethlehem with Mary riding on a donkey must have been difficult.  Where did they sleep at night? What were their meals like? What discomfort did she experience while in an advanced state of pregnancy?

And then they were not able to find a room but had to settle for a stable.  Talk about emotional and physical stress!

Things got better with the exciting visit of the shepherds reporting the news of the angel’s proclamation.  More comfort and affirmation of what God was doing came through the words of Simeon and Anna later during the visit to the temple. This was followed by the dramatic visit of the magi with their gifts.  But then the relative stability of their lives was again interrupted when an angel warned Joseph of Herod’s desire to kill the child. Instructions were to immediately flee to Egypt! They obeyed that very night. Mary, Joseph and Jesus became refugees.

It is comforting to realize that God provided at every step of their dramatic start of married life. The gifts of the Magi even provided financial resources for their trip to Egypt. During this Christmas season you may be tempted to focus on your loss. But it is my prayer that this story will encourage you to look for God’s miraculous provision for you, even if your surroundings are dramatically changed.