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.”

Joseph is an interesting figure in the Bible. We don’t know a lot about him and he is not mentioned much. However, he kept the law and was faithful to marry Mary, even though she was pregnant. He heard God in a dream and listened to him.

The risk here is that if he did not believe God in his dream, he could have thought he was dealing with a woman who had a secret life. Or, even if he did believe God, his pride could be injured in a few ways: 1) Jesus was technically not his offspring, 2) Jesus was going to become greater, smarter, and more powerful than he ever was, and 3) some people could do the pregnancy math, and determine he was conceived out of wedlock. This could have been a challenge for Joseph’s status in society.

So the angel tells him to not be afraid. Not to fear any of the possibilities or assumptions that aren’t true. Instead he is to trust God. And this visit from the angel was a faith marker for Joseph, that he could build on.

What is God asking me to trust him for or about today? How can I act in faith, instead of fear?

Lord, thank you for the story of Jesus’ birth, and how Joseph had a role and a choice to make in whether or not to trust you. Teach me to be faithful in how I live, and to trust you deeply. You honor those who serve you!