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