Night 10 of Advent – Joseph’s Obedience

Night 10 – Tonight we picked up where we left off last night in the pages of Matthew’s gospel, specifically focusing in on Joseph’s role surrounding the coming of Jesus. Reading from Matthew 1:18-25, we explained again that the baby growing in Mary’s womb was conceived by God, without the help of a husband. According to God’s Word in the Old Testament, we explained, it is God’s will that a woman not conceive a child until after she has been married, and that according to the Old Testament law, conceiving a child before she is married would mean that she had sinned against God and could very well be killed for her sin. But we also explained that Joseph was a just man and because he loved Mary he had no desire to publically shame her. Instead, not yet knowing the circumstances behind Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph planned to end the betrothal quietly, humbly.

Really, only the appearance of an angel in a dream could have sufficed to explain to Joseph Mary’s extraordinary circumstances. Only an angel could have persuaded him to proceed with the coming marriage in full confidence that it was God’s will, despite the misunderstanding of everyone around them. Only the testimony of an angel could have prompted Joseph to take on the responsibility of raising a child whom the public would look upon with derision and contempt and scorn. But whether or not Joseph knew what his task would entail, he embraced it with simple, humble obedience.

“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS” (Matthew 1:25).

Our LEGO creations: Joseph, Mary, and a table and chairs built by Joseph himself.