Hi how are you all today? I am well and have had another busy week. Today was my internship graduation at church. I did study on theology, leadership and personal development and worked across a few departments at church. It was a great learning experience. Have you ever done that?
This week I want to blog on Joseph as part of our Christmas story. His story is one of trust in God through ridicule, innuendos and people not believing that he got Mary pregnant before they got married so let’s tell his story. My story is purely fiction with an element of Bible verses in them. His story starts in Matthew 1 verse 18 in the Message Bible.
Joseph had just come in from work at his carpenter’s shop when a knock at the door sounded. “Who could that be”, he wondered knowing it was nearly dark outside.
He opened the door and saw Mary standing there trembling and visibly shaking. He knew it was wrong for her to come inside so he said “wait there”. He went back inside and retrieved his thickest coat to warm her up. He also carried out two chairs from inside.
After seating Mary and putting the coat around her, he spoke worriedly “what is wrong? Did something happen today or have I done something? What is it?”
Mary, with her voice trembling told him of her meeting with the angel and how the Holy Spirit had come upon her and she was now pregnant.
“Pregnant” exclaimed Joseph” but we aren’t even married. I am not sure I believe you. Who did this to you?”
Joseph was visibly upset. Mary’s story didn’t ring true. No woman fell pregnant the way she described. She must be making it up and had cheated on him. He loved Mary a lot but couldn’t go through with their wedding now- not after what she had done.
Joseph spoke angrily to her, “I don’t believe you. You cheated on me. No woman has ever fallen pregnant that way. You are making it up. We need to end this relationship immediately!!!”
Mary stood up, threw off the coat and started weeping uncontrollably. She ran off in the dark to home- she knew Joseph wouldn’t believe her. “God help”, she prayed.
Joseph also was angry, picked up the fallen coat and the two chairs and stormed inside. He slammed the door and cried out “God how could you do this to me”.
Joseph couldn’t eat so he washed and went to bed.
As he was lying there pondering these things, he soon fell asleep. As he slept, he had a dream. An angel appeared in his dream and said:
“Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic revelation to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
Joseph woke up with a start. Everything Mary had told him that night was true as the angel had just confirmed it in a dream. Oh, he had treated her so badly. How was he going to make it up to her? “ I know”, he thought, “ I will pick her favourite flowers and be there first thing in the morning”.
Joseph went back to sleep smiling. He was about to get not only a wife but a promised son.
Next morning, he rose early, went out to where the flowers bloom and picked some.
He then went to Mary’s home and knocked on the door. Her mother answered the door and then called to Mary “Joseph is here”.
Mary couldn’t not go to the door as her mother thought they were still getting married. She went to the front door, stepped outside and closed the door.
Before Mary could speak, Joseph said quietly “Mary I am so sorry I didn’t believe you. An angel appeared to me last night in a dream and confirmed what you said yesterday. I believe you now. Will you still marry me but it will have to be quick.”
Mary was overwhelmed by Joseph’s words and so happy. “Yes”, she said. She hugged Joseph then he gave her the flowers.
He said to her “I know people are going to talk but we will get through this together. We know the truth but let’s keep it to ourselves. Nobody else will understand. Maybe one day we can tell our story”.
The wedding preparations happened quickly and soon they were married but they didn’t consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born. A lot of gossiping and shunning by family and friends followed them but they trusted in God to get them through.
Jesus was born and then Joseph heard from God again to take his family to Egypt to live for a while.
Joseph’s story teaches us to trust God even when the circumstances around us are hard to understand. God is with us as He was with Joseph and will lead us through.
So this week trust God as you keep living the life God intended for you.
Bless you
Karen
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