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Joseph was happily completing the last few touches on the roof of the home he was preparing for Mary and himself. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was comfortable, and seemed just right for the future family they were planning.

 As he worked, he heard his name called, “Joseph, come down. A message just arrived for you.” Joseph scurried down the ladder. He read the message: Please come over as soon as you finish. I have something important to tell you, Mary. Joseph felt a pang of concern as he hurriedly walked the short distance to Mary’s parents’ home.

 Joseph found Mary in the garden behind their humble home. Mary seemed edgy and nervous and not herself. She barely spoke above a whisper.  “Mary what’s wrong?” Joseph asked.

 Mary’s response was hardly what Joseph expected to hear.  “Joseph,” Mary said looking into his eyes. “I’m pregnant.” Joseph was stunned. He stared helplessly at her, without uttering a word. Mary gazed back hoping Joseph would say something.

 Meanwhile Joseph kept thinking, I can’t believe what I ‘m hearing, Mary has never been the least bit flirtatious and never showed any sign of weakness in that direction. Mary is always loving, caring, and faithful.  How can this be? 

 Mary broke the heavy silence, “That’s not all.” Pausing she added, “There’s more that I am at a loss even to know how to begin explaining.” Mary looking directly at Joseph with tears in her eyes said, “But let me say first say Joseph, I have never been unfaithful to you.” Now this really confused Joseph. Was Mary raped! But with a firm voice Mary continued.

 “God has initiated my pregnancy.” Joseph heard her words but couldn’t believe what they were suggesting. Then Mary told Joseph everything. She described the angel’s visit, and his message saying, “I am to bear a son. He will be conceived by the Holy Spirit. He will be called the son of the highest God, who will sit on David’s throne forever.” And then Mary said, “And Joseph God is the baby’s father. And when he is born, he will be hailed as the long - awaited messiah, the savior of the world.” 

 Mary paused. She then said, “Can you believe all this, Joseph?” Joseph was dumbstruck by what he heard.  He felt his mind was going to explode into a thousand tiny pieces.  He thought, is what she’s telling me true or is it blasphemy?  He quickly consoled himself thinking, my Mary is not capable of lying or blasphemy. Stammering Joseph said, “I don’t know… I just don’t know what to say to you Mary.” He continued, “I love you Mary but right now my head is spinning, and I can’t even think straight.” Then he said, “I need to be alone. I need to think this through.” As he left, he said, “I’m sorry Mary.”

 This was not what Mary wanted to hear. But she understood. She said, “Maybe we both need some alone time to sort this out.” Looking straight into each other’s eyes they both said simultaneously, “Let’s talk first thing in the morning.” Mary slowly turned and went inside.

 Joseph took the long way home. As the sun was falling behind the hills, Joseph thought about what Mary told him about the angel and a message.  Joseph murmured aloud, “I don’t remember anything Mary told me as taught in the synagogue or read from the Torah.”

 At this point he yelled at the early twinkling stars, “Yahweh, show me what to do?” Sobbing, Joseph entered his almost completed future home thinking, Mary’s story is so incredible. I will just end our engagement quietly, because in my heart I still love her, and I don’t want to hurt her. 

 Then exhausted he collapsed on his bed. Joseph thought how drastically his life had changed from joy and happiness to grief and bafflement. Then an angel came in his dream that night telling him that all Mary said was true. Awake, Joseph smiled and softly said, “Everything is going to be okay.”

 God chose Joseph for his role just as he chose Mary for hers.  But he engaged them both differently. God writes straight with crooked lines. Thus, the above conversation had to be a most awkward exchange. God doesn’t spare us from these awkward and painful discussions or decisions. 

 God has his plan in every situation. God can always be trusted to give the guidance and adjustments needed when the time is right. Mary and Joseph assure us of that!