Unpacking Joseph

This weekend we now add Joseph’s figurine to the nativity set. Chronologically, Mary’s announcement in Luke 1 must precede the angel’s appearance to Joseph in Matthew 1, for her pregnancy is now visible and Joseph plans to divorce her quietly. With God, however, things are not always as they appear to us. Hence, God sends an angel to Joseph in a dream to inform him that the child in her is not from another man but from the Holy Spirit, that God Himself is behind this big development! Once again, the angel does a gender-reveal and even gives the Baby’s name. In faith and obedience, Joseph wakes and does exactly as the angel of the Lord commanded him: (1) he took his wife; (2) he remained abstinent until after His birth; and (3) he named Him Jesus.