Advent - Day Five

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust **************************************************************

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.”

Matthew 1:18-21 NLT

Yesterday the angel appeared to Mary, and in this passage, he appears to Joseph. The man engaged to Mary, who was about to quietly separate due to her pregnancy, now receives his own encounter concerning the news of Jesus.

Joseph was an honorable, godly man who was obedient to God’s leading in his life. An example to us all, especially because our first inclination might not always line up with God's will. You and I are also called to a life of obedience. A life of total surrender.

What is God calling you into, and will you be faithful with it?

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Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for the times we have not heeded Your first call to us. Thank You for persevering in Your pursuit of saving us from ourselves. Open our eyes to see Your way. Open our ears to hear You above the other voices clamoring for our attention. Open our hearts to willingly and faithfully follow You above all else. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen