Take time today to understand their backgrounds more deeply as we Journey to Bethlehem.
Joseph: A Man of Faith and Obedience
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:24 (NIV)
The earthly father of Jesus was a skilled craftsman from Nazareth whose background and life of unwavering trust shaped the Christmas story in significant ways.
Matthew’s genealogy emphasizes Joseph to show that Jesus is the rightful heir of David and Abraham, fulfilling God’s covenant promises. This is significant because Mary is a descendant of Aaron. (Luke 1:5) Although Jesus is not biologically descended from David through Mary, Joseph’s marriage to Mary legally adopts Jesus as his son.
Joseph’s life is changed by a series of divine interventions. Joseph marries Mary despite the cultural stigma after a visit from an angel (Matthew 1:20-21). He then flees to Egypt to protect young Jesus (Matthew 2:13). After Herod died in 4 BC, Joseph received divine guidance once more, instructing him to return to the land of Israel with his family. (Matthew 2:19-23)
Sometimes, our well-laid plans are redirected by unexpected circumstances. Joseph’s journey teaches us about the courage to follow God’s guidance, even when it leads us into the unknown.
Mary: A Humble Servant of God
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (NIV)
Mary’s life in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, was marked by the simplicity of daily routines, hard work, close-knit family bonds, and a strong adherence to faith.
Nazareth, nestled away from the main highway, retained its unique character. With a population of 200 to 500 predominantly Jewish residents, it remained relatively untouched by the Roman or Greek influences of larger cities. The people knew each other well, their lives revolving around family, work, and faith.
God didn’t choose a royal, biblical scholar, or prominent leader to carry his Son. He chose a young girl whose strength, grace, and enduring trust would create the perfect home for Christ. After her remarkable encounter with the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-27), she responded with humility and submission.
Even in the face of uncertainty, Mary’s willingness to submit to God’s will inspires us to surrender our lives to Him with trust and humility.
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Go deeper with Jesus & learn more about the context for Christmas.
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This Christmas season, I’ll be sharing more about the context of Christmas and diving into the stories of many of the people who were important to his story. Each episode is a chance for you to grow deeper in your faith as you fix your eyes on Jesus.
