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REFLECTION

On the way to Bethlehem” is the theme for our reflection. The theme “on the way to Bethlehem” invites us to revisit the story of Joseph and Mary even as we consider Paul’s instruction to husbands and wives. We shall reflect on the fact that a successful marriage thrives on love and respect.

Once upon a time, there was a decree from the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus for everyone to participate in a census in the Roman empire, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” (Luke 2:4-5). Before their journey, Joseph found out that his betrothed virgin wife, Mary, was pregnant without having any conjugal relationship with him. Matthew tells us that “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19). The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed God’s plan for the world through Mary to him. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25)

Beloved in the Lord, we realise that Joseph loved Mary to the extent that when he felt she had been promiscuous, he wanted to divorce her quietly without disgracing her publicly. Again, we realise that Mary was very humble and respectful to Joseph regardless of the divine favour that had come upon he, in that, she would become the mother of the Saviour of the world! It is a fact that some wives easily become arrogant or begin to demonstrate pride towards their husbands immediately after they become successful or elevated in society. This development has led to myriads of divorce cases. As we come to the end of the Advent season and prepare for Christmas, Christian husbands and wives are greatly admonished to learn from Joseph and Mary’s marriage relationship. Joseph loved Mary even though the baby she was carrying was not his biological child. He cared for her through their journey from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to Jesus. We have been greatly admonished by Paul when he summarised his message on the relationship between Christ and the Church and its lesson for Christian marriage in Ephesians 5:22-33, “each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) In other words, there is no way a husband will love his wife without respecting her and there is no way a wife will respect her husband without loving him. Put another way, love begets respect hence as a husband loves the wife, he shows her respect and a wife’s respect for her husband is borne out of the love she has for him. I love my wife therefore I will respect and care for her. Again I feel respected and cared for by my wife because she loves me. Beloved in the Lord, have you been a loving husband in your marriage? Have you demonstrated your love through the care and respect you have for your wife? Have you been a respectful and caring wife as a sign of your love for your husband? May the Advent season and Christmas remind us of Jesus and His relationship with the Church and may this relationship of love, respect and faithfulness be the foundation of our marriages and relationships.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “On the way to Bethlehem” We have discovered that a successful marriage thrives on love and respect. May our marriage and relationship be filled with the love of Christ and may this love cause us to respect, care and remain faithful to our spouses even in challenging moments. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to love and respect one another so that we shall overcome the misunderstandings, bitterness and resentment in our marriages and relationships to the glory of God. May the message of the Advent season and Christmas revive and renew our relationship. Amen.