Matthew 1:18-25 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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel”which means, God with us. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Joseph is described by Matthew in glowing terms - he is just and thoughtful of his wife to be - he was an honest man you could trust - like good ole Charlie Brown. But He was much more - He was a man who knew how to listen to God and a man of courage who did the right thing. He was a man who obeyed God in the details. God is not looking at "naughty or nice." He is looking even deeper. Christmas is a time to see how we will respond to God and the challenges He sends our way: will we trust and obey Him? Will we demonstrate a care for others? Will we live our lives to please Him?
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