…the angel Gabriel was sent by God…to a virgin…and said “you will conceive in your womb and bear a son…”  And Mary said, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” (Luke 2:26-34)

The Christmas story is a story of an unexpected pregnancy.  Forgive me.  For in God’s sovereign plan (from eternity past) there is no such thing as an unexpected pregnancy.  No human life ever goes unplanned or unwanted…by God.

God is the Creator of every human being (Psalm 100:3).  And He makes no mistakes; for each and every conception (at which time life begins – Psalm 51:5) was preconceived of by God long before He ever spoke His first word of creation (Ephesians 1:4; 2:10).  From the moment of conception on, He knits us together in the womb wherein life begins (Psalm 119:73; 139:13-14; Exodus 4:11); each one being fearfully and wonderfully made.  And for those considered “untimely born” (1 Corinthians 15:8), God’s timing is always perfect.  For in His perfect timing He plans for each of us to be conceived and born at a particular time and place in history, for the purpose of being brought into the kingdom (both Right and Left Hand) for such a time as this, as predetermined by Him (Esther 4:14).

The Bible is replete with stories of, what the world considers, unexpected, unwanted, untimely births, to show that with God there is no such thing.

God is the author of life.  Regardless the circumstance surrounding conception and birth, His plan is perfect; for in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments and how unscrutable his ways!  (Romans 11:33)

A teenage girl, pregnant out of wedlock, facing shame, scorn, pre-marital divorce, even death by stoning, Mary humbly acquiesced, trusting in God’s sovereign plan, “let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 2:35).

I’m so glad!  Aren’t you?

My wife sports a sticker on her water bottle which reads: “It’s okay to like babies being born.”  Especially the baby of an unwed teen, born long ago in Bethlehem.

Amen?  Amen!

Pastor Greg Schram