Christmas women’s devotional series…….Think outside the manger part 3

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With the Christmas season fast approaching and lots added to our “to do” lists, I wanted to take a moment and help you reflect upon this season.  We as women can get so wrapped up in the “doing” that we forget the “being” part of Christmas time.  I wanted to write this devotional to help us identify with each of the nativity people.  This will be presented in a 10 part series–each day signifying a different person.  You can download it here for the complete devotional to use in your ladies group–includes all scripture NKJV.  Or you can enjoy a new person each day through my blog.  Be blessed as we go about remembering the reason for this season.

Day 3:  Joseph
Read scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Next we have Joseph. Here we have someone who exemplifies being a man who is strong and courageous. When he was told the news by Mary, instead of telling her to “get lost,” he decided not to disgrace her. He was going to just put her away secretly, otherwise if he married her it would show that they had had premarital sex and would have been disgraced together. He could have, according to custom, had her stoned to death but instead he chose, even before God spoke to him to be kind and show mercy to her. Shows much about his character.

Then when the angel appeared to him, he accepted what he was to do. He paid a high price for choosing to stay with Mary. He probably received much scorn from his friends and family. His reputation probably got tarnished among the people and he might even have lost a few friends.
That all sounds like much to endure but let’s keep going, he married Mary. As scripture says, “the Messiah was be birthed from a virgin.” He then had to live with Mary, sleeping next to her for months without knowing her. That would be a hard task, one of HUGE self control of his desires. He was a normal, healthy young man with desires and urges I might think and to do this, would tell much about his character.
Then after giving birth to Jesus, Joseph had the pressure and challenge to protect God’s son. Can you imagine how high of a regard that would be? Especially as scriptures states it was a life threatening time, that was a mighty task to endure.! God knew the type of man required to carry the burden of taking care of his children.

Are you like Joseph, experiencing a time of stress and anxiety during the holiday season? Do you need wisdom and strength to deal with the things of life that you are going through? Joseph is a person to model your life after—if anyone was given a stressful situation to handle, he did it with wisdom and strength that can only come from the Lord. The bible says that when we ask for wisdom he is faithful and just to give it us. The question is….are we ready and willing to receive?

day 4

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