December 23rd
Crisis reveals character.
In some form, most people have heard or read that said.
When things are going smoothly, it is not hard to get along, be kind, smile, and show some measure of respect. But when things start to fall apart, true character is revealed. And leading up to the first Christmas, things seemed to have fallen apart.
Joseph was a simple man from a very small and insignificant town. He was engaged to a relatively unknown girl. It doesn’t appear that Joseph had any grand dreams of anything other than being married, having a family, and paying the bills. Then his fiancé told him she was pregnant, and everything was turned upside down.
His quiet life was about to become the town gossip.
His confidence had taken a hit. He must have wondered, “What did Mary see in this other guy? Was it money? Was it looks? What does he have that I don’t?”
His character was tested. And if crisis truly is a test of character, Joseph mastered the class!
The grace and mercy with which he had chosen to handle Mary’s perceived unfaithfulness and his own embarrassment said more about who he really was than anything leading up to that point.
When Joseph understood that Mary had not been unfaithful, but rather had been chosen by God, Joseph was surely relieved he had chosen not to shame her or disgrace her.
It is easy to see why God entrusted Joseph with this incredible mission. Joseph was not your average Joe.
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. 19 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.
20 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. 21 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.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
Right now, take a moment to reflect on how you handle stress and surprises. Ask God to examine your life and reveal the areas that lack integrity. Take steps to making the necessary changes so that the next time your world is turned upside down you are able to handle it with grace and mercy.