Help me put it in 8 yr old terms

[franciscanheart]

My brother and I were reading a book called like the Story Bible or something. There was the story of the Nativity. When we got to the part where it said that Mary conceived God's only son he stopped me. He said "Okay I have a good question." ((I had asked him to please not ask a million questions because we were running low on time before my sister's dance class and this was homework.)) I said okay and let him ask his question. It was this:

"Since Mary was pregnant with God's baby does that mean she was married to him or what? What about Joseph?"

Yeah yeah yeah... I should have been able to answer. I was tongue tied. I didn't know what to say and how. I couldn't get across the meaning of betrothal which is difficult when he doesn't understand really the meaning of engagement which is even still so different than betrothal.

Help?

[Didacus]

That's a tough one... really hard to help you without actually seeing the child...

things to consider;

Marriage was made by god and for God and so God does not need to be married.


Joseph adopted Jesus - plain and simple, and add "as per God's will"

Knowing my own son, I would probably add something to the effect that NO ONE is above God's rules (marriage) except God Himself. God has no limits - we do.


Don't know if that helped... good luck! *snickers*

[Church Punk]

I think you could touch on this:

Jesus tells us that in heaven there is no need for marriage, thus God is above marriage.

God needed Joseph to marry Mary in order for the baby Jesus to have a eathly father and someone to protect him and teach him.

After all Jesus is God the son. So how can Mary be married to her Son?

You could then explain about the love that exist between God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, as it is the greatest love in the Universe.

I think it could be a great teaching oppurtunity!

Edited December 16, 2005 by Church Punk

[franciscanheart]

and .... i dont know how this is gunna go haha but ill do my best... i told him we'd talk about it this weekend when we had more time so im up for more suggestions until prolly saturday night!

[Didacus]

If all else fails I find that a good slap to the head works well with my kids!



back to you Bob...

[franciscanheart]

:

[phatcatholic]

would he understand the word "spouse"? tell him that, yes, Mary was married to the Lord. She became His spouse b/c they loved each other very very much and God wanted Mary to give birth to his Son, Jesus. But, since we can't actually see God, God asked Joseph to take care of Mary and Jesus for Him so that they would have a caretaker that they could see and touch. it would be like if daddy asked uncle so-and-so to stay with us while he was on a road-trip.

[franciscanheart]

thanks for the help so far yall! now what i need is prayers to do this without sounding like an idiot! : ((or an encyclopedia))

[tojo]

Good luck!

[franciscanheart]

: thanks

[franciscanheart]

he said "oh"

i dont really know what that means... haha oh well.