Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty Two

Ponder with me the man Joseph.
What is his story?

Matthew 1:16-25
Luke 2:3-7
Matthew 2:13-23

Joseph was a compassionate man. He was a just (righteous, holy) man. He cared for Mary and did not want her to be humiliated. Hmmmm. Do you think Joseph was already humiliated, broken and hurt by the news? Yet in his own humiliation he did not want to seek revenge and humiliate his own 'humiliater'. A man full of compassion. My own Savior was one who showed great compassion even to those who sought to publicly humiliate Him. On the cross He cried out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." How did it happen that Jospeh the adopted father had the character of his adopted Son? Jospeh, God was with him too.

Joseph was a wise man. To the just man came God's word through an angel. Note what he was doing when the word came to him..."But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream..." He was pondering and probably praying about his circumstances since God Himself describes Joseph as a just man. The point here is that Joseph wasn't controlled by his emotions. He did not make a hasty decision. He wanted to do what was right even if it was not the easiest for himself. Let's all strive to do the same...more Word controlled and less emotionally charged. We have no idea what is at stake and what blessing we may forfeit if we make hasty decisions without regard to God's will.

Joseph was a obedient man. Once Joseph had God's word and will that is when he made haste to be obedient. He took Mary his wife. The Word also tells us that, "...and he did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son." Somehow Joseph knew that the consummation of their marriage would have to wait until the virgin birth of the Son, who he will name Jesus. The prophecies prophesied that the Savior would be born of a virgin. For their to have been intimacy between the two before the birth would have caused all sorts of questions about the miraculous birth of the Son of God. God made sure there would be no doubt in our minds that Jesus was truly born of a virgin. He used a just, wise and obedient man in the center of His plans.

Joseph was a loving father. Adoption is hard. Adopting the child that is half your mates and half someone other that yourself is harder. I'm talking about truly taking that child as your own and loving with the same lavish and unconditional love you would have if that child were your own. That was the kind of father Joseph was. Read the events in Matthew 2:13-15;19-23; Luke 2:41-48. Jospeh was always protecting Jesus. He was always concerned about the life of Jesus. He was a good daddy. We too have been adopted. Our adopted Father does not treat us like step children. His love for us is lavish and unconditional. He always seeks our protection. He is concerned about our life. Our Father in heaven is the best Daddy ever!

This CHRISTmas seek to be compassionate, wise, obedient and a loving parent. In Christ we can make a difference.

Merry CHRISTmas!