Matt.1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The Christmas story as told by Matthew is a reminder that all things were not easy for Joseph or Mary. It is no small thing to believe that “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Joseph was a special sort of person who risked much on a dream and on a willingness to be used by God.
He did not reject Mary openly; he did not even “put her away secretly”, but took her as his wife and became a part of the greatest drama to ever happen - the birth of Immanuel - God with us!
As we celebrate Christmas the question looms - Is it possible God would do something through us, like God did through Joseph, if we only dared dream enough and risk enough?
Marry Christmas as you pounder “how Jesus the Savior came forth to die,for poor ornery sinners like you and like I...” and how God would use you
to make Christmas live again through you!
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." Mother Teresa
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