Chaos for Christmas

"All this took place to fulfill what the the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means God with us). Matthew 1:22 & 23 (ESV)

One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel, which means God with us. It is indeed interesting that Matthew brings this information out in the midst of what had to have been a tumultous and scandulous relationship between Mary and Joseph. Mary was pregnant before her marriage to Joseph. However, Mary and Joseph were betrothed, which is engagement on steroids. They were legally pledged to be married. They were legally married without the ceremony and benefits.

Mary is pregnant. The baby is not Joseph's. But Mary got pregnant from someone. Can we say "Soap Opera?" Adultery was rewarded with stoning. Joseph trusted Mary enough to dismiss her behind the scenes. Enter the Lord (or the Angel of the Lord). He tells Joseph this is God's doing, to be patient, and wait. Joseph was to still marry Mary. The people talked ... no doubt the people talked. "Soap Opera?"

This is what Jesus was born into. Jesus was born in choas. That first Christmas was surely choas. Today, when things are sheer madness, I want the Prince of Peace that was born in sheer chaos to be born anew in my heart.