As the Advent season progresses, I find my mind traveling to those ancient streets of Bethlehem more and more, to the beautiful story of the pregnant woman in the stable, the animals keeping watch as our Savior was brought into the world in the most humble of circumstances.

But every so often I have to stop and remind myself that this isn’t a story. Or, rather, that this isn’t just a story. This is real life. And these were real people in a real place in a real time, used by God in a very real way.

And perhaps that’s why my heart continues to feel for Mary the deepest. I, too, have been with child (though, thankfully, both mine were born in hospitals and not the floor of a barn!) I, too, experienced the thrill and fear of having a baby growing inside, excited for the unknown but fearing it all the same. That sensation of feeling physically drained but emotionally full simultaneously.

But, of course, Mary experienced all of these emotions on a heightened level. For hers was a child born of the Holy Spirit, one who had been promised to be called “the Son of the Most High” and be given “the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32). When her son was born, a host of angels appeared and, later, a procession of wise men who called Him king. Her baby was like no other that has ever or will ever be born.

He was Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.

And his mother?

Just a girl pregnant out of wedlock.

It was only the grace of God, moving the heart of her soon-to-be husband Joseph, that kept Mary from being stoned (Deuteronomy 22:20, Matthew 1: 18-25). But though He had saved her from death, that didn’t mean the whispers, rumors, and gossip suddenly ceased in Nazareth. It’s highly possible that Mary had to live with the stigma and public shame that went along with her unplanned pregnancy long after she put her metaphorical maternity clothes away.

She had been told she was “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). That her son would be special. That He was God’s own Son.

And yet it is within reason that, for many years after Jesus’s birth, His mother was treated as anything but.

What must that have been like for Mary?

In regards to her pregnancy, Mary knew she had not sinned. She had not been unfaithful to her betrothed, broken her engagement vows, or committed what amounted to adultery in the eyes of her culture. And yet she could not prove any of it. The angel had appeared to her and to Joseph alone; only they two knew the truth about where Jesus had come from and who He truly was.

During those days before Jesus began to make His identity known, I wonder if Mary secretly suffered. I wonder if whispers and stares followed her, piercing her heart and wounding her soul. Even with all her trust and faith in the Father, I wonder if she called out to Him in her weakest moments, asking for an end to her unfair societal condemnation.

Do you ever feel that way too?

As Christians, we have so many promises from God:

*Promises of Love (Psalm 89:38; Isaiah 54:10; Matthew 10:30-31; 1 John 4:9)

*Promises of Forgiveness (Psalm 103: 8-12; Luke 15: 3-7; Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7)

*Promises of Salvation (Isaiah 25:9; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 7:25)

*Promises of Everlasting Life (John 6:40; 10:28; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17)

*Promises of Peace (Psalm 29:11; John 14:27; Romans 5: 1-2; Ephesians 2:4)

*Promises of Joy (Psalm 16:11; John 15: 10-11; Romans 16:3; 1 Peter 1:8)

*Promises of Freedom (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:6, 14, 20-22; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Revelation 1:5)

*Promises of His Presence (Joshua 1:5; Matthew 18:20, 28:20; John 6:37; Romans 8: 38-39)

*Promises of His Return (John 14:2-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17; Revelation 1:7)

But there may be times in your life–perhaps even right now–where the proof of these promises seems limited or even nonexistent. Yes, you have God’s Word, but the world doesn’t care. To them, you have no proof that what God has promised you is real; instead, a hostile culture mocks you day after day for clinging to ancient words when the evidence for why you SHOULDN’T believe is staring you right in the face. Mary may have been shamed for her perceived sin; you, perhaps, are being shamed for having faith at all.

Friends, can I just ask you, especially during this Advent season, to take heart? Our lives are being lived in the time between promises; while we have the assurance of the Holy Spirit living inside us, providing us what we need here and now, we have not yet arrived at the time of Christ’s Second Coming, when “every knee will bow before [Him]; every tongue will confess to God” (Isaiah 45:23). Much like Mary, we have nothing but the promises of God to refute the whispers, ridicule, and slander that may come our way. We may not be able to offer the kind of concrete proof that would soften the hearts of our mockers, but also like Mary, we have TRUTH on our side–and our so-called “foolish” ways will one day shame the “wise.” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

In the meantime, let us take our cue from Mary, counting ourselves like her as “blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” (Luke 1:45).

Because it will, friends. It will.