CHRISTmas Challenges

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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to call him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin . . . When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name JESUS. (Matthew 1:20-25)

Joseph was confused. Here he was engaged to a wonderful young woman and ready to move on with what he planned to be a wonderful life. Then he heard the bad news. She was pregnant! The child was not his. They had not been together physically. Why this Lord? Why to me? What kind of woman was this Mary anyway? What am I to do? 

He received all the answers to his questions as the Lord's angel revealed the news to him while he slept. One thing was for sure, Joseph trusted the Lord enough where he was not up all night worrying! Once he awakened from receiving the news Joseph, did what he was told. We do not read of any wavering, just obedience and trust. 

What if we could be so obedient to our Lord? What if we could be so trusting? Joseph lost no sleep worrying. He even stayed resting throughout the dream, continuing in sleep and when he woke up, he simply did what the Lord told him to do. We don't read of panic, stress, or unrest. Just trust and obedience . . . 

As a husband, father, son, and brother, all I want for CHRISTmas is to be like Joseph; trusting and obeying God with my life and family!