Because the Christmas account is one that is so familiar to us, without realizing it, we tend to gloss over words because they seem to roll off our tongue. What would happen if paused for a moment to reflect on those well- worn and somewhat overlooked words and phrases?

Pledged

“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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him….” Luke 2:4-5 (NIV)

Mary was “pledged to be married” to Joseph. Other translations use the words “betrothed”, “engaged”, “promised to”. We don’t pledge much anymore. “Pledge” sounds so colloquial. In our modern society we tend to enter contracts that allow loopholes or every amendment to cover any situation, in other words, fine print for the “just in cases”.

Mary was pledged to Joseph and for or all intents and purposes she was married to him. She belonged to him and he belonged to her.

We are pledged to Christ…we belong to Him and He is our God.   All that we are, all that we are becoming has His image stamped all over it….no holds barred.

Prayer:

“All that I am, all I can be, all that I have, all that is me,

Accept and use, Lord, as You would choose, Lord, right now, today.

Take every passion, every skill, take all my dreams and bend them to Your will.

My all I give, Lord, for You I’ll live, Lord,

Come what may.” (William Himes)

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