Daily Word Of God
Matthew 1:18-21, 24
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the 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 she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ conception were anything but happy: an unplanned single motherhood that caused public suspicions, shame and scandal. Yet, the obedience of Joseph to God’s Will made Mary’s “Yes” to God possible.
- It is now exactly one week to Christmas Day. Let us ponder more deeply on how the Lord wants us to prepare our hearts to receive Him more worthily and wholeheartedly.
- How may we make more room in our hearts for Jesus? What unnecessary baggage are we carrying within us? Could it be certain bad habits, unforgiving hurts and grudges and the like?