A MAN of FAITH and HOPE

Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is one of the most admired people in scripture. In our Bible passage for today we see him as a committed man, devoted to God and His word. We see him as a merciful man not wanting to expose his fiancé Mary to any public disgrace or harm. We see him as a faithful man, believing God even for impossible things. And we see him as an obedient man, following God’s plan with integrity and hope, naming Mary’s new son “Jesus,” which means “Savior.”

(Matthew 1:18-25) 18 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. 19 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.

20 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. 21 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.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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