Slices
Prepare
Can you think of a time when your carefully considered plan was upset by God asking something different of you? What was that like for you?
Bible passage
Joseph accepts Jesus as his son
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 fulfil 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.
Explore
Matthew’s assurance is that the prophecy that was foretold (vs 22,23), happened (v 18): the birth of Jesus to a virgin (v 23). I am struck by the kindness of Joseph when faced with an impossible situation (v 18). We are told of a man giving careful consideration to his dilemma, protecting the vulnerable Mary and yet open to the voice of God who suggests an even better plan! As always, the command is not to be afraid of the purposes of God (v 20).
In this Christmas season, family often comes to the fore in our attention, for good or perhaps with struggle. As you prepare, you might like to consider how kindness can be the hallmark of your relationships this year, as it was with Joseph. We can never know the full impact of our kindness to others. For Joseph the challenge was of eternal consequence and rippled through the generations to come as the child who was born became the Saviour of the world (v 21).
As we seek to hear and obey the call of God on our lives, we can continue to share the experience and story of what it means that God is with us, Immanuel (v 23).
Respond
Give thanks for those whose care and kindness has spoken to you of the goodness of God and assured you that God is with you.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Zechariah 1,2; Psalms 146,147
Pray for Scripture Union
At this time of year, the number of cyber-attacks tends to increase. Pray that our supporters, customers and volunteers will be safe in the online world, and for SU’s Digital Solutions team as they ensure that our systems and data are secure.
