December 9
Joseph’s Dream of Peace
Matthew 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.”
If we were to place ourselves in Joseph’s sandals, it would have been easy to be discouraged. Your bride-to-be, pregnant, but not with your child. However, in the middle of confusion, the angel whispered, “Do not be afraid.” Out of disappointment comes the extraordinary. The Son of God, the One Joseph and Mary had most assuredly been praying for, was about to be their child. I’ve often wondered… What kind of people must you be, to be chosen as the earthly parents to the Son of God? What a compliment to these humble servants! What initially looked like a mess, was indeed a miracle. God’s plan is often disguised in uncertainty.