Affirmation of the dignity of the unborn baby and prenatal parenthood of spouses. Mariological and Josephological Perspective

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show the specifi city of the process of affirming the dignity of life of the yet unborn child and the affirmation of prenatal parenthood in a Mariological and Josephological perspective. In the piety and tradition of Christmas, the question of the affirmation of the unborn Jesus is sometimes reduced to the question of the lack of a place in the inn, which is a historical misunderstanding and diminishes the question of the affirmation of the couple’s prenatal parenthood. A different problem of affirming the dignity of the unborn Jesus and affirming the prenatal parenthood of Joseph  and Mary was visible in Christianity developing in a pagan environment. In the historical an theological part the fundamental attitude of pro-family and fertility in the environment of Joseph and Mary indicated, related to the recognition of children as God’s gift, good for marriage and society. The conception and birth of a child in marriage was seen as good news for the whole community. However, the timing and manner of Jesus’ conception was a difficult experience for Joseph and Mary; both were taken aback by the situation and made the decision alone. The ultimate argument for the acceptance of prenatal parenthood by both – regardless of their feelings for each other – is the recognition of God’s will and the dignity of the yet unborn child.