This is what folks in New Zealand saw on a billboard recently. It is Mary, the future mother of Jesus, being aghast while holding a pregnancy tester in her hand. It has brought both controversy and condemnation, and praise. For those who are devout and venerate Mary, this would be blasphemous. For those who recognise that it is obviously meant to stir the pot on our attitudes towards unwed pregnancy, it is mildly amusing. I see it as misinformation, apart from the obvious fact that Mary did not have access to a pregnancy tester.
What it most certainly portrays, is that Mary was surprised, and that far away look in her eyes tells us that she is pondering her most uncertain future when she finds out she is with child. But, hold on just a moment. The fact that Mary was pregnant was no surprise to her.
An angel came to her and told her she was most honoured among women and that the Spirit of God would descend upon her and she would be with child. She knew in advance, and the Bible said that she pondered these things in her heart. When it was confirmed that she was pregnant, it was no surprise, but rather a confirmation that it was indeed as the Angel had said. She even knew that the baby's name would be Jesus and that he would be the son of the God most high!
That is vastly different than a woman being surprised after the fact.
Are these people not reading their Bibles?
2 comments:
What was the point of this photo for NZ?
Whatever the case, it's just tacky.
That's all.
The purpose of the ad was to stimulate dialogue on the attitudes toward unwed mothers and unexpected pregnancies, that they can be a very good thing.
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