Everyone has pet peeves, right? If you don’t have one, or you’re not sure what I’m talking about, check out this video. I am sure you will find one!
I have a Christmas pet peeve. It isn’t sloppy wrapping paper, asymmetrical trees, or those mischievous elves on shelves though. It’s the mantra that Western Christians like to repeat about how “One Unplanned Pregnancy Saved the World” or, “Jesus Could Have Been Aborted!”
Now, don’t start thinking I’m a heretic. Jesus did save the world. And yes, He chose to begin his earthly journey as an unborn baby in Mary’s womb. However, He was not unplanned!
In fact, of all the pregnancies in the history of the world you could argue that Jesus’ time in Mary’s womb was the most announced and planned of them all.
In fact, the first mention of his coming goes all the way back to Genesis. Adam and Eve knew they messed up, and God promised that He had a plan. God even told us the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and that he would be born of a virgin. In fact, there are over 300 prophecies related to the coming Messiah in the Old Testament.
So, what about the “Jesus could have been aborted!” phrase we sometimes hear?
Just, no.
God did not plan the coming of His Son to earth for thousands of years for Mary to run out and get an abortion (and yes, that happened back then). In fact, He sent a special messenger to prepare Mary for the child she was about to bear. He didn’t leave Joseph out, he received his own messageabout his role in the coming birth. Not just them, but Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias also knew something was up. God didn’t leave anything to chance.
Although, now that I think about it, I suppose that while Jesus’ birth was carefully planned, Mary and Joseph weren’t exactly expecting it. Certainly, they knew a Messiah was coming. They understood, perhaps, that He would come from their own line. Perhaps Mary even fantasized as a child about being the chosen vessel. I am sure, though, that this all came as quite a shock.
When we refer to an “unplanned pregnancy” what are we really talking about? We’re talking about the parents’ plan. Or maybe the grandparents’ plan, or even society’s plan. We’re not talking about God’s plan.
At the very first pregnancy center I observed as part of a college class I read this phrase: “No child is unwanted, and every child is planned by God.” That might not be an exact quote, and I’m not sure where I saw it, but it’s true.
God planned every child that we see. None of them are a surprise to Him, or a mistake. They’re all planned, and they’re all wanted.
They certainly won’t come with all the of prophecy and celebration that Christ received, but they’re still part of God’s great plan.
So, this Christmas, don’t lump Christ in with all those “unplanned babies." Instead, remember that each baby is carefully planned and formed within their mother’s womb.
Changing Lives Together,
Sarah M. Bowen