This past Sunday our scripture was Luke 1:26-38, often called the Annunciation to Mary. In this passage we see the angel Gabriel appear to Mary. The angel's first words puzzle Mary, “Greetings, favored one!” Then Gabriel says that she will become pregnant and when her son is born, she will name him Jesus. Mary, greatly confused by this because she is a virgin, asks how that is possible. The angel clarifies that she will become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even Elizabeth who was thought to be barren is six months pregnant. “For nothing is impossible with God.” And then Mary says okay. She could have said no or run away, but Mary says yes. She says, “Let it be with me according to your word.”
So let’s take a step back. Mary, a girl of 12 to 14 years old, who has not yet moved in with the man she is engaged to, agrees to become pregnant by God. Sure, she may be able to hide this pregnancy for a little bit, but soon everyone would find out. And how would she explain it to everyone? No one would believe her that the baby was of God. In their society, it was very likely that Joseph would leave her, and she would be an unmarried pregnant girl, ignored and ostracized by everyone in town. That must have been terrifying, but she was willing to do it.
While reading this passage my girlfriend pointed out something I hadn’t noticed before. God chooses Mary, and Joseph, to make a family. In our society today, the media tells us that the perfect family is made up of one cisgender and heterosexual (cishet) dad, one cisgender and heterosexual mom, and biological children. Anything that falls outside of that is looked down upon as imperfect and invalid. But this so-called “perfect” family isn’t as common as you’d think in our world, and that’s okay. God favors and chooses Mary, a young unmarried girl, to have Jesus, the Savior. God could have chosen any other middle-aged married couple. Instead, God chooses the unexpected. Joseph becomes Jesus’ adoptive father, something that is often looked down upon too. And God favors this family. This tells us that God favors, loves, and affirms all family types. Single parent? Yes, favored. Same-gender couple with no kids? Yes, loved. Adopted and fostered children? Yes, affirmed. It does not matter if our families, legal or chosen, look like the “perfect” family. We are Sacred People, and guess what? Our families are Sacred too.
