Advent Devotional 12.8.21

 

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

 

 

The Perfect Earthly Father

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way.  When his Mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss 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.’

Matthew 1:18-21

 

I’ve most often thought about the birth of Christ through Mary’s perspective. In Matthew, we see Joseph’s experience. I find it inspiring to consider his response when confronted by Mary revealing that she was expecting a baby that he knew wasn’t his. In his time and culture, Joseph was left with few acceptable choices. Wanting to do the right thing by Mary, he made the compassionate choice to quietly divorce her. In a dream, he was told that this child, a son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Joseph was to name him Jesus because he would save his people from their sins.

What can we learn from Joseph? Despite the exceedingly unusual circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph accepted, without question or complaint, his important role in the life of Jesus. He protected Mary and Jesus and brought up Jesus as his own son. He guided him, took him to the Temple, and taught him his trade. With faithfulness, humility and courage, Joseph was the perfect earthly father for Jesus.

 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the example of Joseph, the father of Jesus while on earth. May we have the faith to hear Your voice and the courage to act upon what You ask of us.

Amen

 Karen Rich