Xanthe Hancox

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. 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. 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.  Matthew 1:18-20

We tend to talk a lot more about Mary than we do about Joseph. After all, he’s not Jesus’s biological father and we tend to think of him as the guy who made sure everyone got to Bethlehem.

Matthew’s account of the nativity includes a passage that gives us some insight into how Joseph might have experienced that first Christmas. Here’s a man who hears his fiancée confess to him that she’s pregnant. Furthermore, she tells him she conceived by the Holy Spirit. People in first-century Palestine knew as well as we do how babies are made, and Joseph wasn’t buying her story. Would you?

I imagine Joseph lying awake at night heartbroken, disappointed, angry, and considering his options. Considering the situation, Joseph had all rights to divorce her. The Jewish authorities could have stoned her to death (Deuteronomy 22:23, 24). Joseph must have loved Mary dearly, because he decided to break off the engagement quietly so shame would not be brought upon her.

But then God enters the scene. When an angel of the Lord speaks in a dream to Joseph about the identity of Jesus, Joseph doesn’t hesitate to change his plans and marry Mary (Matthew 1:21). Mary knew for sure, but Joseph believed the impossible with only a dream and Mary's word.

Joseph teaches us to stand strong when things are difficult and to faithfully obey even when we don’t understand. He shows us how to continue in faith when it would be far more convenient to do our own thing.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to obey your Word when the situation seems impossible. Help me to follow Joseph’s example and continue in faith instead of taking the easy way out. Amen.