JOSEPH’S STORY

At Christmastime we have no trouble viewing the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary. A very young woman who sacrificed everything – her reputation, her family, her fiancé – for the sake of obeying her God and bearing a Child she did not conceive naturally. We sympathize with her, admire her, love her and lift her up – and rightly so.

How often have we stopped to think about what Joseph was dealing with? His fiancé was pregnant, and he was not the father. He had every right to put her away. Yet, he too was a godly man and obeys a Voice who spoke quietly to him. His story is found in Matthew and I would like to take a few minute for us to consider his thoughts. He too dealt with the pressures of the day in a way we cannot imagine. He had the added pressure of taking care of a woman, and her Child, while claiming them both as his own. I admire Joseph. A lot of responsibility was thrown on his young shoulders, yet he handled them all with grace and courage. I share this Scripture from The Message:

Matthew 1:18-25

18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.

20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — 'God saves' — because he will save his people from their sins." 22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:

23 Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").

24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. 25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

How Joseph loved Mary. How Joseph loved his God. And, although Scripture does not tell us, I know Joseph loved Jesus as only a father can love his son.

Recipe for Friendship

2 cups of patience
1 heart full of love
2 handfuls of generosity
2 cups of loyalty
1 cup of understanding
dash of laughter

Mix ingredients well. Sprinkle generously over a lifetime. Serve everyone you meet.

Merry Christmas to all my Blog friends. Thank you for visiting my page. God bless you in the New Year.