*Day 20 - Joseph*

Today’s story is about Jesus’ earthly father – Joseph

Yesterday we learned about Jesus’ mother, Mary. Today we’ll learn a little bit about Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. –Matthew 1:18-19

Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. As you can imagine, Joseph was a little shocked to find out that Mary was expecting a baby from someone else. He had planned on quietly breaking their engagement so Mary wouldn’t be embarrassed. He didn’t know how she could be pregnant, since they weren’t married yet.

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, --Matthew 1:20-24

Do you recognize these words? They are the same words the prophet Isaiah spoke of a few days ago. The prophecy was being fulfilled. Joseph would have the honor of being the earthly father of Jesus Christ. He would raise Jesus as his own, and train him to be a carpenter just like he was.

Joseph accepted the task ahead of him. He was apparently a good man. During this period of time, he could have made a huge deal out of Mary being pregnant, but he chose to keep it quiet. It took a good man to not want to shame Mary.

Joseph thought through his decision carefully. He was already a good man, and he wanted to make sure he didn't cause Mary any shame. When you are faced with an uncomfortable situation, especially one God puts before you, what is your reaction?

Do you give in to your anger and frustration? Do you think about what you are doing before you do it? Are you careful with your words, or do you just say whatever comes into your head?

Today think about Joseph and what raising Jesus would have looked like. Jesus wasn't his biological son, but he was the Son Of God. Joseph accepted the task ahead of him with grace. What is God asking you to do that may seem uncomfortable? If God called you today to do something huge, what would your initial response be? Think on these things today.

"Dear Lord, Joseph seems to have been a man of high moral character. He was a descendent of your servant, David. I don't know how I would have reacted if I had been Joseph. He accepted his new responsibility, and appears to do so without grumbling. Sometimes I don't always act like I should when I am being called to do something. Sometimes I reject it all together, or grumble considerably. Change my heart to be a heart that longs to do what you want, Lord. Give me a heart that wants what you want. A heart that is gracious and willing. In Jesus' name, Amen."