We were still traveling these days and improvising as we went. This ornament is Joseph receiving his dream of a baby to come as he slept, hung from my in-laws ceramic Christmas tree.
There are so many emotions and thoughts to ponder about in this story. Joseph, engaged to Mary, learned from her that she was pregnant as a carrier of the child of God. Then an angel appeared to him in his dreams to confirm Mary's testimony and affirm him as the earthly father to care for Him who would save His people from all their sins. Joseph had a role to play in the fulfillment of the prophecies he had heard his whole life. Talk about entering your first year of marriage with some challenges!
"The Lord is Salvation" was about to enter the scene in the most vulnerable of ways.
If you are following along in the Bible In Stories: pages 442-3
In the Bible: Matthew 1
Day 24: The Journey to Bethlehem
We discussed this night the reasons for Joseph and Mary to take a long, dusty journey at the worst of times; bouncing upon a donkey, about to give birth at any moment or perhaps spurred by the travel.
There was the census to be counted, the tax to be paid, but also the prophecy to be fulfilled, that the Son of God would be born in the city of David, Bethlehem. Bethlehem, an over-crowded city that forced a King to be born in a stable. It is interesting the humble and identifiable means by which God created this awesome event- carried by an unwed mother, entrusted to a couple of no significant wealth or position, born and spent His first few nights in a barn crib, displacing the fodder of the livestock, probably to endure a misunderstood youth? AND THEN THE LORD'S GLORY AND HOST OF ANGELS INFUSED THE DARK SKY AND ANNOUNCED HIS ARRIVAL! What an unusual way to carry out the long-awaited prophecy. Looking down the situation looked humble but looking up the angels declared it glorious!
If you are following along in the BIS: pages 444
In the Bible: Matthew 1, Luke 2, John 1
