Joseph's Dream

By Danny Saavedra

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”—Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

Joseph didn’t see this coming. He was a simple man . . . a carpenter from Nazareth. He was righteous, hardworking, and engaged to a young woman named Mary. His life was set in motion until suddenly, it wasn’t. Before the wedding, Mary was found to be pregnant . . . and not by him.

In a single moment, Joseph’s whole world must have felt like it collapsed. His dreams, his reputation, his plans for the future were all undone. The law gave him every right to make the situation public; to protect his name and expose hers. But Matthew tells us that Joseph was a righteous man, which means he was good, compassionate, and humble. He chose mercy over revenge and planned to end things quietly. Why end it? Because if we’re being honest, her story sounded crazy. That’s when God intervened.

In a dream, an angel appeared and said, “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.” Those words changed everything. Joseph woke up, and though it’s likely the confusion hadn’t disappeared (it may have been even more intense as he probably wondered, "Why Mary and me? What does it all mean? Am I supposed to raise the Messiah?"), his devotion to and faith in the Lord had deepened. Like Abraham before him, Joseph believed God and he obeyed immediately, taking her as his wife and naming the child Jesus, just as the angel commanded.

Joseph could have walked away. Instead, he stayed. He trusted God’s voice more than public opinion. He believed that the impossible story unfolding before him was, in fact, true. And because he listened, protected, and obeyed, the Savior entered the world just as God had planned.

Maybe you’ve faced moments like this... when faith requires courage in the face of misunderstanding. When obedience means stepping into something you didn’t plan for. Joseph’s story reminds us that God’s faithful to those who trust Him, even when the path makes no sense. And that’s really what this story is all about: trusting the God who not only commands, but comes close.

Because in the middle of Joseph’s confusion, God didn’t just send a message; He sent Himself. Matthew says that this child would be called “Immanuel,” which means ‘God with us.’

Immanuel isn’t just a name, friends . . . it’s the truth that anchors our faith. The same presence that gave Joseph courage now lives within us through the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to understand every detail to obey every word. Like Joseph, simply listen, trust, and remember that the God who calls you is the God who stays with you.

This Christmas, let the name Jesus remind you of what He’s done, and the name Immanuel remind you that He hasn’t gone anywhere. He is still with us. Always.

Put It To Practice: Serve

Another important part of following God is obeying His command to serve! Making service a daily habit can look like finding ways to love people around you simply, practically, and consistently. When you serve others, you’re also serving God! Today, practice service by doing a random act of kindness in your workplace, school, or neighborhood. You can bless a neighbor with cookies, your coworker with a coffee, or your classmate with a note.

For the Family

Today’s Main Idea: Joseph trusted God’s voice and obeyed, even when it was hard.

Ask Together:

1. What does it mean to listen to God?
2. How can we obey Him even when others don’t understand?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be like Joseph, the earthly father You chose for Jesus. Help me to be humble, faithful, and courageous. When You speak, give me ears to listen and a heart that trusts You more than my fears. Thank You for sending Immanuel, for being with me in every situation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.