Four Unusual Women – The Christmas Story Part 2

INTRO: It seems unusual for God to have chosen these women to be included in the ancestry of the future Saviour of the world. This poem is based on Matthew Chapter 1 verses 3-6 in which four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. It is a brief overview of these women who had troubled or scandalous life stories.

The second last verse of this poem refers to 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 ‘but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.’ At the end of the poem, on my website, I have included two Youtube links to songs that I love, and I feel reflect the above Bible verses and the need for these women to be rescued by God from their desperate situations.

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This poem is Part 2 of 8 parts to the poetic script that follows the Christmas Story from the very beginning to end. I will be publishing one of the Christmas poems each week leading up to Christmas week. I wrote this Christmas script for a Christmas Service that we held at the local church, that I was attending at the time, in 2019. In between each poem, being recited by a small group of children and adults, we sang Christmas songs as a singing group, and the whole congregation sang Christmas Carols relevant to that part of the story. Beverley Joy

I was so pleased to find this image of a woman with a veiled face as this poem’s Featured Image. I didn’t want a photograph of a particular middle eastern woman. I searched for an image that would represent all four women in the poem.

I love the artist’s choice of colours which gives the image a modern appeal, which I feel connects these ancient women with modern women, as both groups of women have experienced similar troubles or scandals in their lives.

I love the sheer soft effect of the veil across her face. Her eyes are not weary or sad, brash or harsh, instead, they reflect composed victory, which is how each women’s story ends.

PODCAST – The story behind the poem Four Unusual Women – The Christmas Story

PODCAST – Four Unusual Women – The Christmas Story

Matthew chapter one mentions four women

In Jesus, the Saviour’s genealogy

Who had troubled or scandalous life stories

They seem unfit ancestors of the future king?

Tamar was left childless and widowed

By her two abusive husbands

All sons of her unjust father-in-law

Whom she deceived to conceive twin sons.

Rahab, supporting her family through prostitution,

Helped two foreign spies, for whom she risked her life

She lived in a city God would soon destroy

Later, she married one of them and bore him two sons.

Ruth, a despised immigrant

Left her hostile land with her step-mum

Both childless widows struck with poverty

God soon blessed her with marriage and a son.

Bathsheba fell pregnant with King David

While her husband fought in his army

King David killed him, then God killed their baby

But, once forgiven, God blessed her with a son.

God chose women that the world considers

Foolish and weak, outcast, and downtrodden

To shame the wise and strong of the world

To show His mercy, grace, glory, and honour.

His mercy toward these ancient women

And the men for whom they bore children

God’s grace to forgive, rescue and protect

His honour and glory and his future king.

Down through the ages

God’s people wait and pray

For the long-awaited Saviour

Not knowing the day or hour.

To be continued…

Why not listen to or read the whole Christmas story: The Christmas Story Part 1, Four Unusual Women Part 2, 700BC Part 3, Mary Part 4, Mary and Elizabeth Part 5, Joseph Part 6 and The Saviour is Born Part 7.

Read or listen to my poems of Women of the Bible: It Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, Sweet Temptation Eve Genesis 3, Feast or Famine Ruth and I Am Ruth, ‘Thirst Quenching’ The Woman at the Well, Mary – The Christmas Story Part 2 Four Unusual Women, Part 4 Mary, The Christmas Story Part 5 Mary and Elizabeth, The Busyness Excuse Mary and Martha, Her Touch of Simple Faith The women with the bleeding issue,