The birth of Jesus lies at the center of the Christmas story.
But have you ever wondered how Jesus’ earthly parents would describe the events?
Or what we can learn from His parents and His story to apply to our lives today?
In looking at the overall story, we learn valuable lessons from both Joseph and Mary.
Like how Joseph teaches us three ways to always trust God.
(1.) Always Trust God’s Promises: Christmas Story
The gospel of Matthew paints the scene of a man engaged to a young woman. Yet Mary’s with child before they marry. This situation was completely unacceptable in this time period.
In fact, the engagement period was a commitment similar to marriage today—a vow to remain true to your betrothed and sexually pure.
Matthew 1:19 describes Joseph as a “just man” who did not want to put Mary to shame in public, so planned to divorce her privately. But in a dream, an angel proclaimed to Joseph the child was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Joseph took Mary for his wife.
God promises if we move forward in His timing, His ultimate will and purpose is completed, not only in the present, but also in the future.
(2.) Always Trust God’s Protection
After the birth of Christ, an angel warns Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to destroy Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15). Once again, Joseph is completely obedient to the Lord.
When we are completely obedient to the Lord, He is working behind the scenes on our behalf.
(3.) Always Trust God’s Plan: Christmas Story
In another dream, an angel tells Joseph that Herod’s dead, to take the child and Mary and go to the land of Israel. There they dwelled in Nazareth.
Prophecy regarding Jesus is fulfilled in each part of the story.
Will you trust God’s promises, protection and plan?
Now let’s glean powerful truths and insights from Mary and her words recorded in scripture.
Because Mary responded to God’s plan in the way He desires from each of us—she believed Him.
(4.) Believe Who God Is
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel tells Mary she has found favor with God, she will conceive and bear a son. Luke 1:32-33 confirms the baby is God’s Son. God Himself.
A virgin, with child?
Yes. “For nothing will be impossible with God” (verse 37).
God’s the God of everything’s possible. He’s the God who takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things.
Mary’s beautiful words of praise magnifies who God is. She calls Him her Savior, mighty, holy, merciful, with a strong arm and a God who faithfully spoke to His people. (See Luke 1:46-55.)
(5.) Believe What God Says: Christmas Story
The story gives the end of Mary’s response to the angel.
“I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 (ESV)
Do we believe what God says in His Word? Do we believe God fully, no matter what culture says?
Even later in Jesus’ ministry, we find Mary believing at the wedding in Cana. When the host ran out of wine, Mary said to the servants in John 2:5 (ESV), “Do whatever he tells you.”
Wow! What if we believed in who God is and in what God says to the point that we do whatever He tells us?
(6.) Believe How God Works
Prophecy foretold a virgin would conceive and bear a son. And the messiah would come from the lineage of King David.
In Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus, we see Joseph comes from David’s family line.
Nothing is coincidence in the Christmas story or in our story. Instead, it’s God’s mighty work being carried out for our good and His glory.
God always confirms His word by His works.
Next Step: Journal about the 3 ways to trust God and the 3 ways to believe God and ask the Lord to help you grow in the areas most needed.
Merry Christmas!
Featured images from our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.
Also see, 7 Christmas Gifts We Need Most.
I’m so blessed by the quiet faith of Joseph. He believed and he acted. I want to be like that!
That’s a great insight on Joseph, Lisa. Thank you for sharing.