Christmas

As the holiday approaches, I chose to reflect on the real reason why there is a Christ-mas.  As the name suggests it is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  Amazingly, God begotten his Holy son in a fashion that was a far cry from what is considered normal. 

Taking a closer look into the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the nature of Love and faithfulness towards men and each other was tested at its best.  We also see a relationship that weathered the storms of what we would refer today as infidelity.  Now, going back to the scriptures we learn:

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Then Joseph her husband, being just a man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit……………….” (Matt 1:18-24, NKJV) 

In our society we cannot fathom how disgruntled a young man (not grounded in faith) would be to learn that the woman that he loves, who he also chose to marry and have not yet deflowered is already pregnant with child. “How is that possible?” “Thank God she showed her true colors before I invested my all into her,” are some of the thoughts a man in Joseph’s position would ponder.  Can you also imagine the cataclysmic effect this revelation would have on his mind and how shattered his world would be? 

But Joseph didn’t take this matter very lightly either because he had intended to divorce Mary before he was confronted by an angel that changed their fate.  Today, we see quite the contrary because men who devote themselves to cheating and committing adultery can’t seem to understand the repercussions of their actions.  Not only do they take advantage of a forgiving wife, underestimating her level of commitment, trust and faith but they are the first to judge and disgrace their own actions when it’s done by someone else or when the shoe is on their foot.

On the other hand, there are unfaithful husbands who not only deceive their families but they get cuckold by the other woman (TOW) and fathered an illegitimate child.  He certainly did philander his way into this woman’s life having no clue of her intentions and she made the most selfish and unwise decision of all.  Unbeknownst to her unfair games always play twice because a married man will not leave his family to be with her and forcing a child on a man will only place her in the coldest spot of his heart.  Now, considering the conniving acts of these two individuals why would a man set his expectations on his heartbroken wife’s forgiveness and better yet think he deserves a second chance?  A man knows how much it takes to have to deal with all this horror so do they believe that women are less likely to feel the same pain?

In addition, women are always faced with double standards. Any behavior that is defiant of the principles of Love and Fidelity is morally wrong so there is no correctness based on gender or sex.  We are well aware of the outcomes of selfish acts and the emotional scars and bitterness that are implanted in the hearts of the people involved.

Moreover, according to the scripture, Joseph waited until after the birth to consummate their marriage.  Today we can’t even put thought to such sacredness anymore because both young men and women don’t value each other much more to respect themselves.  It’s as if we have total disregard in the belief of loving thy neighbor as we ought to love ourselves. (Matt 19:19 NKJV)  With that said, do we abide in Love of does Love abides in us?  Do we abide in hurt or does hurt abides in us?