In my previous post, we discussed Zacharias and Elizabeth’s story. Their heartache of not having a child was deep. Though hard to understand, God’s timing was part of their miracle. During this season of Advent, join me today as we visit another of this story’s unlikely stars—Mary and Joseph.
Choosing Stars
Casting roles for a movie is an intentional process. Directors look for qualities like physical attributes (though they have quick fixes for them), stage presence, and chemistry on camera. Movies based on books can create a dilemma for readers who imagine what characters look like. Translating a two-dimensional character from a novel to a three-dimensional person can prompt strong opinions like, ‘The book was better than the movie.’
We’d never imagine Danny Devito playing the lead role in an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie or Melissa McCarthy in a serious drama. We have preconceived notions of which characters fit, and those that don’t.
And we use those same filters every day when we meet new people. We typecast them at a distance and then find our first impressions are not even close.
More Unlikely Stars
We pick up from last time; Elizabeth is pregnant, and Zacharias is unable to speak. Our story takes us to Nazareth, a backwater town. Only 200-400 people lived on about ten acres. Nathanael gives us a hint of its obscurity in John 1:46: Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Nazareth is a quiet village nestled on a rock, with tunnels beneath where there were tombs and hidden passageways to escape invaders. Nazarenes were a humble people who worked hard and followed Jewish teachings and culture. It was in Roman-occupied territory where people lived in fear of their unannounced raids, high taxes, and harsh punishments.
You can read more in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25
Be sure to download this free printable.Unlikely Stars Printable two
This is where we find Joseph and Mary. They are betrothed, which is as binding as a marriage covenant. Joseph was likely about twenty-something and well-established as a carpenter and stone builder. Betrothals happened when a young girl was about 12 years old. The formal marriage ceremony would follow and be consummated when she began her monthly periods. So we know Mary was a young teen.
Gabriel visits Mary with More News
The Angel Gabriel visits Mary with news; that she is going to bear the Son of God—He will “be great and be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give him the throne of His father David and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”
Mary’s reaction is ‘How can this be?‘ since she is a virgin. The angel explains: that nothing is impossible with God. Even her cousin Elizabeth who was barren is in her sixth month.
How will she explain this news to her parents and Joseph? Her response is amazing; “Behold the servant of the LORD, may it be done to me according to your word.”
There was so much for her to process. But first, Mary hurries to see Elizabeth and stays with her for three months.
Time to Face the Music
When Mary returns home, no one believes her unlikely story. Joseph plans to divorce her quietly—otherwise, she would probably be stoned for adultery. She maintains her story about the angel, making her a liar. Shame and disgrace will follow her whole life.
In Matthew’s gospel, an angel visits Joseph in a dream, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. He kept her a virgin until she gave birth. He does this knowing the stigma will follow him too, as it appears they have both sinned against God by having relations before the marriage.
I cannot imagine the weight of their circumstances!! The unknown. Feeling shunned. Uncomfortable conversations.
As Mary’s time draws near, Caesar calls for a census—and they need to travel to Joseph’s city of birth to register. They travel together 90 miles to Bethlehem. When they arrive, the bustling city is full of other travelers. Joseph is well known here—his family, from the line of David, live there.
Yet, there is no room in the inn.
The Scoop On the Inn Situation
Inns of the time were along major trade routes—about 16-18 miles apart, the average daily travel distance of caravans. These were commercial establishments, overseen by an innkeeper but there were no rooms for rent, no privacy or security, just one shared common area. These were rough and tumble places. Not somewhere you would bring your family or pregnant wife. This inn would have been similar to the one from the New Testament story of the Good Samaritan.
It’s important to note there are two words for an inn. This root word for inn differs from the one used in our story.
The word here is Kataluma—meaning a guest room. Homes had one room, but when they had guests they would partition off one end due to a rule forbidding a Jewish man from sleeping in the same room with another man’s wife.
Beneath this room, there was space for animals to take refuge at night. So why didn’t Joseph’s kin provide a partitioned place for them to stay in the guest room?
So why didn't Joseph's kin provide a partitioned place for them to stay in the guest room? #UnlikelyStars in God's heavenly drama. A clue in #Luke2:5 Share on X
The clue comes in Luke 2:5 and is repeated from chapter one: Mary was engaged to Joseph and with child. The household would never invite a sinner into their home to stay.
The Costs Mary and Joseph Faced
And this shadow of shame follows Mary and Joseph. And Jesus. Even today, Jewish scholars continue to reject Jesus as the Messiah because of His illegitimate birth. Religious leaders of His day bring this up later in John 8:41.
The cost of belief for Mary and Joseph was huge. They sacrificed their reputation as so many misunderstood and rejected the truth.
Things to Ponder:
Joseph and Mary took the narrow way of being maligned and misunderstood, no matter the cost.
Belief takes trust in the One who spoke truth into our hearts.
Believing God can cost family and societal relationships.
Unlikely Timing Doesn’t Necessarily Mean It’s Not God’s Timing
God’s story has interwoven threads of people, events, circumstances, heartache, sorrow, and joy. Throughout this Christmas/Advent story, we see how God’s timing is everything. We can trust this in our own lives as well.
When there are delays, there are reasons. As we wait, hope, trust, and believe, God will bring about His plan in our lives and in the lives we touch.
Joseph and Mary were unlikely stars in this event. Humble and obscure, they were humbled more by their situation. Is it any wonder that Jesus, while on the cross, charged John with the care of His mother? Is it any wonder that Mary pondered all these things in her heart? The cost was enormous. Yet she trusted in the One whom she found faithful.
Thinking About Your Story:
- Have you seen a thread of God’s sovereignty and timing in your circumstances?
- In hindsight, have you recognized the bigger picture that unfolded?
- Will you trust God in today’s uncertainties, believing His purpose will be revealed in time?
Mary and Joseph have plenty to teach us through their faith, trust, and obedience. The Unlikely drama is filled with God's sovereignty. God uses #UnlikelyStars Share on X
Mary and Joseph have plenty to teach us through their faith, trust, and obedience, especially when circumstances are way out of our control. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Enjoy His Presence This Christmas Season,
Jeanne
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Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes
Have you seen The Nativity Story? Such a great production.
Hi Jeanne,
I don’t think many of us if we were honest would sign up to endure the disgrace, ridicule, and behind the back comments of others. It’s all about popularity these days. Who can get the most views on TikTok or who can get the most “likes” on our social media platform. However, if we claim to follow Christ , we can expect ridicule and slander for Jesus Himself endured such things. Little did Mary and Joseph realize they were already following in the footsteps of that little baby that would one day become Lord and Savior.
Love your insights, Sheree. Thank you! And God uses the unlikley to accomplish His plans 🙂