Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV)
The Birth of Jesus Christ
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. 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, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
I find the obedience of Joseph amazing. It is not just in today’s readings, but Joseph is obedient to God in many places. He listens and reacts. He also is not playing the poor, pitiful me… but is genuinely
concerned for Mary and he loves her. The Lutheran Study Bible states: “Joseph serves as a model for believers. Before he knew the reason for Mary’s pregnancy, he wanted to treat her justly but mercifully. However, when God’s angel reveals
the unique miracle of a virginal conception, Joseph believes, and he fulfills his responsibilities by marrying his betrothed and raising Jesus. Some people today struggle to believe the virgin birth, but it takes no more faith for us to believe than it did
for Joseph. In fact, we have the evidence of Joseph’s testimony to help us. He saw and believed that God can do what He promises. Likewise, the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts to believe that God can do anything good and that Jesus is truly both
God and man.
I pray: O Holy Spirit, strengthen my faith, and fill me with joy as I reflect on the miracle of Christ’s
birth. Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The
Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1579). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.