Advent | Week 3 | Day 1
Reading
Read Matthew 1:18–24
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This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Reflection Questions
- Reread Matthew 1:18–25 and imagine yourself in Joseph’s situation. What would your response be to Mary’s pregnancy? To the angel’s message in a dream?
- How does fear of what others think paralyze you?
- How does this story lead you to trust God’s plan more instead of trusting in your own control or feelings?
- We see in this story that despite some fears and insecurities, Joseph and Mary are willing to move forward with what God has for them. Are there fears or unknowns in your life that you need to move past so you can trust God better?