Pregnancy before marriage is not uncommon in contemporary America, but it was rare in the Jewish culture of Mary and Joseph’s day. In the shame-honor culture in which they lived, it brought a life-long stigma upon the parents and the child. Unlike the engagement period prior to marriage today, betrothal was a serious legal contract which that could be undone only by divorce or death. It typically lasted a year, during which time the couple lived apart and observed sexual abstinence. Betrothal was as legally binding as marriage, and if one of the parties had sexual relations with a different person, it was considered adultery.

As was common in their culture, Jewish women at that time frequently married at age twelve to fourteen. Men, who took on adult responsibilities at age thirteen, generally married between eighteen and twenty.

This background helps us appreciate the very difficult situation that Mary faced as a betrothed teenage girl who was pregnant but not yet officially married. What would her parents think? How would the community react, not only to her but also to her father, whose had responsibility it was to safeguard the virginity of his daughters? How would Joseph respond?

Mary’s pregnancy was a calling from God that carried a high personal cost. But because of her trust in God and her devotion to Him, she willingly accepted the call, knowing full-well that the road ahead would not be easy. Mary’s response invites us to examine our own trust and devotion to God. Are we willing to follow her example of faith and costly obedience?