Suppose your 13-year-old daughter announces, “I’m pregnant. And the father is God.” Mary’s parents would understand if you had doubts. So would Joseph—not to mention his parents and the entire village.
No one believed her. There was a strong possibility she could be stoned.
The angel had told Mary her elderly cousin was miraculously pregnant. Mary hastily flees 90 miles to the only place she might be believed and safe—the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah.
She stayed until she heard the baby boy’s cry and mute Zechariah proclaim, “His name is John!”
Then she knew it was time to face up to what was to be. As she climbed the steep hill to Nazareth, we wonder what type of reception she imagined. Stoning? Divorce? A lifetime of ostracization? Or was it possible they would welcome her home with belief and open arms?
Christmas may spark memories of wounds of rejection by family, Mary would understand. It took an angelic visit for Joseph to believe her.
Jesus would also understand. It took His resurrection from the dead for His family to believe He was the Son of God.
Nazareth never did believe. His hometown wanted to stone Him.
Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth, and Life. Drawing courage from Him, you can forgive and heal.