Have you ever been afraid to commit or be faithful to someone or something?
You’re not alone if you answered yes! It’s a really hard thing for any of us to do, and it was no different for Joseph. His situation was both difficult and unusual and the angel had to reassure him not to be afraid. So why did Joseph choose to be faithful to Mary in the end? Not because he now somehow found an hidden inner strength, but because he knew that God is always faithful. Time and time again we see in the Bible that God proves his faithfulness to his people by keeping his promises, and, having promised long ago to save his people, here he was proving his faithfulness once again by coming into the world as the promised Saviour as “Immanuel, God with us”.
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. 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.
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 conceive and 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 did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18–25
Today's Craft
Today’s craft is light catcher. God brings light even into the darkest times. He is faithful.
Items needed: Car, tissue paper or sweet wrappers, glue
1. Cut some shapes out of the piece of card. Ask a grown up to help
2. Have fun sticking pieces of tissue paper or sweet wrappers to the back of the card
3. Next hang in your window for all to see. Let the light shine through
Any questions?
…send a message through the contact page here and send it to ‘General Enquiry’.
