This Sunday Joseph knocks on the door of Mary’s home to arrange the betrothal contract with Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne.
Marriage in those days had three separate parts. The first was the betrothal, the second was a time of preparation (around a year), and the third was the wedding feast and consummation of the marriage. Betrothal was a contractual agreement between the groom and the parents of the bride. Once the marriage contract is agreed to, the couple are considered married, though the bride remains with her family until such time as the wedding is celebrated, perhaps 12 months on, and the marriage consummated. This was a legally binding document with significant consequences if the marriage was broken.
Today’s weddings in Australia are also legal contracts – with significant implications in terms of both commitment to each other and financial implication if the contract is broken. It’s good for us to remember this. It’s also good for us to remember that the relationship we have with the Lord is defined by a contract, a covenant, between God and his people.
I don’t know about you, but I think it is a totally amazing thing for God to remain so committed in love toward his people – despite the ways we break the covenant with Him. From the time he broke open the heavens and came to visit Mary with the promise of a Son, continuing on when the Son showed his for us by laying down his own life for us – He has remained fully faithful.  This is love – God’s love for the whole world.
God bless you with a fresh appreciation of what is means to be in this covenant relationship with him. Loved by God // Loving God!