"Got a minute?" Gabriel asked God. "I was just wondering how it went with Joseph. Mary is ready to return home and I have been so busy making sure everything on my list is done, I haven't had time to hear an update."
God smiled, "Went just as I planned. I knew Joseph was a righteous man and when the angel came to him in his dream, Joseph understood that he was to take Mary as his wife. He is taking Mary home now. There will be no physical union until she has given birth but this will give them time to really get to know each other. Besides, these next few months are going to be busy."
"Tell me about it," Gabriel sighed. "The genealogy is verified and written down so there can be no question that the baby is of the house and line of David. Caesar Augustus has started work on the decree for a census. I don't think he realizes the confusion this will cause or that the census is all part of your plan. I know hotels and motels are ideas for the future, but they sure would come in handy during this census. So many people traveling. A mail in form would be a lot easier."
"Now Gabriel," God said with a bit of sarcasm in his voice, "you know all things in their time and what would the people of Bethlehem think if a seven story, 300 room hotel just appeared on the edge of town? Besides my Son needs to be born in a humble surrounding. And the angel has the lines memorized. The company of heavenly hosts would be so disappointed if they couldn't wake up the shepherds with the glory of the Lord shining all around them. Don't want to disappoint the heavenly hosts."
God continued, "I do so worry about Joseph and Mary. This time has not been easy for them and so many people just do not understand. Mary has been very strong but the trip to Bethlehem will be long and hard. Yes, the time is getting closer."
TODAYS SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1:18 - 25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and 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. 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."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel -- which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
THINK ABOUT JOSEPH
Joseph was in a binding relationship with Mary, whom he called his wife, which could only be broken by divorce. What must Joseph have thought when he found out Mary was with child? Did he believe her? Why would he divorce her if he believed her? Sounds like he had doubts. Do you think he might have gone and talked to someone? Asked for advice? Did he talk to Mary's parents? Or did he just ponder on this, alone and confused? Feeling betrayed. Then he had a dream.
Can you put yourself in Joseph's place? Can you feel his confusion? Can you imagine waking up from the dream? Would you have the courage to do as the angel had asked? Would you wonder if you could be a father to a son conceived from the Holy Spirit? Would you feel inadequate? Would you feel honored?
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