My Advent Journeyಮಾದರಿ

Others

'This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream 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. 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 1:18-21, NIV)

We recently read that Mary, the mother of Jesus, 'treasured up all these things and pondered…' the news of her role in the coming of the Messiah (Luke 2:19, NIV). She was not the only person who did some pondering. Today’s scripture says that Joseph 'considered' the angel’s announcement to him about Mary’s role.

Certainly, Joseph listened to and heeded the angel's words, but he also considered Mary's life-altering situation.

Perhaps in your journaling yesterday, you reflected on some of your Christmas traditions that have lost their value.

• If you were to make a change or even eliminate that tradition, who might it affect? Who needs to be considered in this change you want to make?
  
  
• How might you approach the subject with them?
  

Prayer: Lord, today, help me to be mindful of how you are moving in me and how it might affect others. Help me move with your compassion. Amen.