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 In his article "The pain of that first Christmas gives us solace in our struggles," John-Henry Westen writes - "December 23, 2017 – A discussion with friends Wednesday night revolved around the events of the first Christmas with the few clues we are given in the Bible to discern what actually took place. In very few verses there is a whole world of experiences and events which unfold with their joys, sacrifices and sufferings. Sufferings, which when contemplated can bring great consolation in our times of distress. "I've always loved the brief passages in the Gospel of St. Matthew that precede the birth of Christ. They focus on St. Joseph and are likely the first great agony experienced by the Holy Family. In that brief passage I see wounds of doubt, the pain of betrayal, confusion of unimaginable proportions, heartbrokenness, rejection, anguish, weeping and torture of mind, heart and soul. Poor, poor Joseph! Why was he allowed to suffer such torment before being told the simple answer that gave healing? Poor, poor Mary! Why was she somehow not able to tell Joseph of her Divine predicament? Why was she to suffer his noble and well-meaning but wrong-headed rejection?" Even though the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Messiah, months later her fiance Joseph noticed her belly getting bigger. Imagine yourself in Mary's place: "He's never going to believe me! How will I ever live this down? I'll be a disgrace to my people: they could stone me to death!" And Joseph might have thought: "Here I am, engaged to this young woman, and look what she's done to me! Who must the father be? I've got to dump her, but quietly so nobody'll ever know and blame me for getting her pregnant." But then an angel appeared to Joseph, so he stuck with her. Still, the Pharisees later accused Jesus of being an illegitimate child (John 8:39-41). Either He is the Son of God, or else....? Get the whole story: read the full article & get our free weekly newsletter: subscribe below! |