Advent Day 20

Day 20

Matthew 1:18-22 ~ 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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Unknown often scares us. If you are waiting at the doctor’s office for test results, waiting to see if you passed your big test, or waiting to get back a call that says you did or didn’t get the job. Each of these roles and so many others cause us anxiety and turmoil. During these times we have a choice to make. Where are we putting our security? Is our security in the things of this world or is our security in Christ? I can’t imagine what Joseph felt when he found out the news from Mary, let alone heard God in a dream. Both of those situations would be hard to fathom. However I do know that with God there is peace, even in the hardest and lowest moments. He is with us. He is carrying us through, guiding us and providing us with an option greater than fear, faith.

This faith will guide us to where God is calling and if we listen will guide us to where and what we are supposed to do. Fear is valid, it is real, and it is scary, but fear is not a final say. Through our greatest fears, we find our deepest strengths, our strongest values, our most courageous victories, and our most encouraging stories. Don’t lose faith, but trust that fear will not be the end and that God will guide you through. Joseph did with the most important life in human history that he hadn’t even met yet and so can you.