Illustration from Masahiro Kasuya’s children’s book “The Way Christmas Came”

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18-19

One imagines the anguish in Joseph’s heart, when he learned that the young woman he was engaged to was pregnant. . . . and not with his child. Confused and hurt Joseph wrestled with what to do. He loved Mary, but could he live with this betrayal? Falling asleep, he decides he will quietly put aside the marriage contract, forget about Mary, and get on with his life.

Still torn with his decision, he wrestles through the night. Finally sleep comes, but then a dream . . . a dream so vivid he could not separate the dream from reality. He dreams of an angel speaking words of assurance, hope and confidence.  One who tells him not to be afraid to marry the woman he loves. Far from a betrayal, the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit. This child will grow up to be the Messiah, the Christ. He will be Emmanuel – God with us.

I don’t know many people who have such a vivid dream, and it changes the direction of their lives. But, Joseph was such a person. What seemed so sensible the night before, was not what God intended for him at all.

God has a way of interrupting our plans, our best assessment of a situation . . . And in our confusion, turning us around.  We are surprised to discover that God may have a plan for our lives, quite different from the one we were intent on.

When we listen, when we heed God’s call, our lives take on a new significance. In Joseph, the child Jesus will receive the love, nurture and acceptance of a Father’s love. Mary will know the love of a husband, who cares both for her and her child.

Prayer:  Loving God, Joseph listened to you and heeded the voice of an angel. We too, find ourselves in situations where we are confused about the direction we need to take. Guide us to your deep truths, so in our following Jesus, we are honoring you. Amen.


Daily Devotions and other Christmas resources can be found at this Link – Devotions for Advent to Epiphany

The Gospel of Matthew’s Pregnancy Story – “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” Matthew 1:18-23