Monday, December 25th Barbara Coburn
Love
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Can any of us imagine having a dream like Joseph experienced? We are told the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and gave him specific instructions for his future with Mary, the mother of Jesus. We recall that Joseph was a very law abiding and righteous man. He planned to put Mary away quietly after she told him that she was expecting a baby so as not to make the situation worse for her or him. Being a man familiar with the scriptures, he knew God’s Son would be born to a virgin. He just didn’t realize that “his Mary” would be the mother of this Holy child.
Joseph must have loved Mary so much. When he was first told of her pregnancy, he must have been so disappointed in her. Surely, his heart was broken. He must have wondered who, why, when, and where. Yet, he was willing to protect her from harm and gossip that were sure to follow her as this news of her being pregnant and not married leaked out. Doesn’t the Lord love, protect, and forgive us when we disappoint Him?
Also, the Lord must have loved Joseph so much to trust His only begotten Son to be raised and influenced by Joseph, just a good, honest man with no outstanding title, power, or riches. Just think of the responsibility for and influence on Jesus that Joseph offered. What if Joseph had chosen to be like we all do sometimes – ignore the Lord’s leading in our lives. Think of the blessings, joys, and experiences Joseph would have missed by not being in the presence of God’s holy Son if he had not obeyed God’s leading in his life. Don’t we sometimes miss out on special blessings and gifts from the Lord by ignoring His gentle prodding in our lives?
I pray that we listen for the small voice we could so easily miss during the hustle and bustle of this Holy season. Let’s not get so caught up in the rush and commercialism of Christmas that we miss the blessings and opportunities the Lord may have planned for each of us that just might be delivered by one of His special angels to us! Merry Christmas!!!
PRAYER: Our precious Heavenly Father, we love you so much, and we thank you for
your love for us. Thank you for allowing Jesus to come to earth so that we might always have you in our lives. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins and loving us even with our shortcomings. Help us to look to you for guidance and to listen for Your loving voice in our lives. Amen.
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