“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.”  Matthew 1:21

 My husband liked to tell the story of the man who would become his father.  His birth father walked out on their mother and left her with 2 little boys to raise, 4 and 2 years old.  It was hard going for a mother on her own, but three years later, an Army Sergeant back from World War II came into their mother’s life.  He embraced the boys and welcomed them into his family.  It must have been a challenge, but the boys always thanked God he didn’t turn and walk away.  When he proposed to their mother, he said, “These two little boys need a dad.”  And that year before Christmas they were married and the boys got a Dad!

There was another father, another man who “did not have to be,” who could have turned and walked away.  His name was Joseph. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph, her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  Matthew 1:18-19.

 Joseph was a simple carpenter.  He was also a direct descendant of David and the rightful King in Judah, but no one knew it.  He was chosen by God for the most honored “dad” job in the universe—to be the stepfather to the Son of God.  Joseph was betrothed to a young virgin, Mary, and their betrothal was not like today’s.  They were legally bound to each other and he could only put her away through divorce.  Imagine Joseph’s heartache when he learned his pure and godly young fiance’ was pregnant!  Her betrayal must have rocked his world!  At that point….He could have walked away!

Suddenly an angel appeared with incredible news!  “Joseph, son of David (he was reminded of his royal ancestry), do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”  Can you imagine this news?  God, not Joseph, would name this baby “Jesus” – Jehoshua!  Meaning “the Lord saves!”  His name told His mission, Savior!  The child’s birth was a fulfillment of prophecy explaining not just why He was coming but that He was “God with us!”  God was in the womb of Mary!  She had not been unfaithful to Joseph, they could get married after all!  Amazing news!  The baby was God in human flesh.  No message was more incredible.  “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.”  Matthew 1:24-25.

In December, 1946, the now five year old boy stood with his nose pressed to the window of his grandmother’s house.  He watched as his mother and new dad emerged from the church across the street.  He was unable to go to the wedding because he had whooping cough.  He missed the wedding, but his new dad adopted him anyway.  You may be on the outside looking in at God’s family.  Mankind has a disease called sin, but Jesus wants to adopt you anyway.  The choice is up to you!  Don’t turn and walk away!  “But as many as received Him, to those who believed on His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12.

During this holy season, let us not forget what the birth of Christ really means, Jesus came in human flesh to die on a cross for our sins.  He completed His mission!

Your friend, Jean