The Show Will Go On.

"What if Mary said No?"

This was the thought provoking question on a bumper sticker.

Mother Mary's hailed amongst women to this day for agreeing to be the mother of Jesus. By saying yes, she not only risked public humiliation but also a dishonorable death. Who'd believe an incredulous story of getting pregnant by the spirit? Indeed, she risked her life to fulfill God's plan.

But what if Mary did say No? Will God's plan of saving us from our false beliefs not be carried through? Will God's son, our savior, not be born?

And what about Joseph? Even today when most societies have a more open minded view on relationships, it is still difficult to accept in marriage a woman pregnant with another man's child, more so, if the woman claims to have been impregnated by the spirit! Had Joseph followed logic and human reason, he would have refused.

But what if Joseph did say No? Will Mary be left without a man to care for her? Will Jesus be left without a human father to care for Him?

If God created us to fulfill a specific purpose BUT also gave us the freedom to choose, then God, as a loving father, is allowing us to say NO to Him.

Christian faith is anchored on all events being willed by God for purposes known to Him. God's WILL will always be done.

If Mary did say NO, God would probably have chosen someone else to carry His son and Mary would have forfeited the honor of being Jesus' mother.

If Joseph said NO, then God probably would have chosen another suitable partner to care for Jesus and Mary and Joseph likewise would have forfeited the honor of becoming Jesus' human father.

Jesus likely will still be born but probably in an entirely different setting, with new personalities or characters involved BUT still accomplishing what God wanted and intended Him to.

The script has already been written but the roles offered may be turned down. THIS is the greatest tragedy of being alive... to be given the opportunity to live with a purpose but choose a meaningless death instead.

God's show will ALWAYS go on . Even if we say NO.