Rahab (center) in James Tissot's The Harlot of Jericho and the Two Spies.

What do Ruth, the Moabite, Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho, . Bathsheba, the adulteress, Tamar the accused, Mary, the young unmarried pregnant girl have in common?

Disrepute and shame.
Great faith and resilience.
Listing in the genealogy of Jesus

What they were was this: remarkable women who were used of God in a specific moment with timeless repercussions. They created ripples of influence that have impacted generations.

They joined their sisters Sarah, Naomi, Esther, Mary Magdalene, and others in leading the way of commitment to God;s ways.

Like King Lemuel's unnamed mother, they set an example and taught lessons for all of us to learn.

Like Timothy's grandmother , Lois and mother Eunice, like Priscilla, and Miriam the prophetess, they are our grandmothers, mothers, and sisters in the faith who often lead the way for us in matters of devotion to God.

Mary, the mother of Jesus holds a place of prominence in the Christmas story for some very good reasons and she is one of a long line of outstanding women who are pioneers of godly living … even when their reputations suggested otherwise.