How to Take the News

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly. 
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins." 
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." 
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. 
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

I couldn't imagine being Joseph here, I mean the woman I am to marry comes up pregnant and I know it's not me. I would have a massively broken heart. In this day and age these are the things that Jerry Springier shows are made of. Yet Joseph is a righteous man and says nothing and intends to divorce her quietly. That says a lot about a mans character. Secondly to have an angel visit me in my dreams and to take direction from that. I would love to see this dream. It must have been amazing and convincing. Myself I usually have dreams about trying to kill sharks with dill pickle spears. I couldn't imagine how this dream must have been. I read about the birth of Jesus and I just am in awe of Mary and Joseph's character. If God were to come to me today would I be able to risk being stoned to death like Mary? Would I be able to overcome being the town laughing stock like Joseph? Would I have been able to trust the message from an angel in a dream? Would I have been able to take on the massive responsibility of raising the Son of God as a poor tradesman/carpenter? But here's the thing God has entrusted much to me. By the worlds standards I am rich. What do I do with it? God has given me 6 children. Do I raise them well. God approaches us all and blesses each of us with unique gifts. How are we using those gifts each day?

Jesus, I love you so much. You are so patient with me. I'm going to be celebrating Christmas soon and it's hard for me to fathom that you would want to come here considering how you knew you were going to be treated. Thank you. Please help me to see all the gifts that your father has given me and help me to love them the way you want me to. Help me to be the best man I can be. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen