There has been a lot of fuss in New Zealand lately about a stupid billboard put up by a liberal church designed to get people to think about the virgin birth.  The problem wasn’t that it was challenging but that it was offensive, and unnecessarily so.  The church involved would do well to consider just what message they are trying to get across.

At the same time, those who call themselves Christians but saw fit to break the law and deface the billboard needed to rethink their actions as well.

Maybe they, and we, could look to Mary for guidance on how to respond to both unlikely situations and circumstances that are bound to bring conflict and derision.

In Luke 1 and angel visits Mary and lets her know that she’s going to have a child.  The child is going to be conceived before she is married.  The father isn’t going to be her betrothed and her child is going to be the son of God!  The angel then finishes are by telling her that nothing is impossible for God.

For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

There is an interesting concept in the printing of books called “white space”.  When we type of computer we put two new lines in to represent a new paragraph.  But when it is typeset, the printer uses “white space” instead.

Sometimes in the Bible the most interesting things are found in the “white space”.  This is one of those times.

In the white space between the angel speaking and Mary saying, “I’ll do it” there is a time of thought, faith and courage that we could all use as we head into 2010.

Photo credit: alexeggert

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