The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland

the finest care any human mother could have given.
And His stepfather Joseph deserves our respect. He
tenderly cared for the pregnant Mary and shielded
her from the terrible influence that a lonely,
shameful pregnancy without a husband would have
brought.
If before the birth of her child she [the mother]
is self-indulgent, if she is selfish, impatient, and
exacting, these traits will be reflected in the
disposition of the child. Thus [environmentally, not
genetically] many children have received as a
birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil
(MH 372, 374).
Thank God for the adverb "almost"! Though
Christ was not abused as a fetus or as an infant and
thus did not have our "evil propensities" or
"passions," He came in the genetic stream of fallen
humanity, and grew up to humble Himself to take
the full burden of our sins and to feel the effect of
our abuse. He was "made to be sin for us." He
knows the strength of our "almost unconquerable
tendencies to evil." And thus he is able to "save
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