A Christmas Narrative Part 2

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the narrative. It's beautiful to imagine Mary in her obedience to God's plan and crazy all at the same time. How would you have reacted if God had asked you to trust Him with something so crazy, so impossible, and so unbelievable? So, let me kind of stir you a little...Has God asked you to do something that seemed so out of this world, and you did exactly as Mary? If you have been reading this little blog of mine for a while you know I'm on a journey of trust just like Mary. Trusting God with your life and everything is difficult, and it had to have been for her. I think when we read the story or see a Christian film on the birth of Jesus, we may tend to not think of Mary and her humanity. We see her almost as we see Jesus, but she was just as broken as we are and yet she was chosen. Gives me hope that's for sure. Here's part 2 of the narrative, enjoy.

Joseph's Story (Matthew 1:18-24)

For 3 months Joseph had not seen his betrothed, but a message had been sent weeks ago that Mary would be returning soon. Joseph had been hard at work, preparing his home for his wife. It wasn’t hard to admit that he was excited to see her, to begin a new chapter in his life and to start a family. As he contemplates this, a commotion is heard outside, and he knows Mary has arrived. There she was, surrounded by his community of family and friends, but they seem put out - angry even. As he walks through the crowd, Joseph looks at Mary’s beautiful face, and she is pleading in silence as he looks at her swollen belly. Joseph has no idea what has happened. Has Mary been raped by a Roman? Had she been unfaithful? Who did this baby belong to? He turns and Mary follows, pleading with him to listen to her. Joseph did not want to hear Mary’s silly explanation of Angels or the Spirit of God. He was a righteous man, he held to the very letter of the Law, he went to the Temple on all the Holy days; why would his God do this to her? To HIM!? He had a decision to make, dissolve the marriage proceedings quietly or bring up charges of adultery against her and have her stoned?

Joseph walked in stunned silence the rest of the day. He knew no one would blame him for wanting justice but something in his heart told him not to decide in haste. It was late, Joseph was tired, and he needed to sleep. His sleep was restless and unsound until his dream, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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 1:20-21 NIV). Joseph then slept peacefully the rest of the night and when he woke the next morning. He was no longer afraid of Mary’s story, keeping her as his wife and raise this child as his own.

This concludes part 2 of my narrative and hope you will read part 3 tomorrow. Remember to trust the process, no matter how crazy it may seem. Take a walk, let God speak, and you can't go wrong.

Warrior On!