How Joseph Gave Us Christmas - Matthew 1:18-25 - Skip Heitzig

TL;DR

The often overlooked Joseph played a crucial role in the Christmas story by obeying God's command and raising Jesus as his own.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] Good morning. We wish you a blessed joyful Christmas season with your family, with relatives, with new friends that you meet. We are today in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, if you have a Bible. And I think you brought one. That's a good thing to do to a Bible study, bring a Bible. Matthew, chapter 1-- the next few messages are go... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 Families thrive when Christ is at the center.
• 🤑 Sometimes the best decisions are the hardest ones to make.
• 💅 The world needs more individuals like Joseph, who are men of integrity and willing to follow God's will.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Joseph often overlooked in the Christmas story?

Joseph is often overlooked because much of the focus is on Jesus and Mary. Additionally, traditional Christmas carols and hymns mainly center around Jesus and Mary.

Q: What were Joseph's options when he found out about Mary's pregnancy?

Joseph had the options of exposing Mary publicly as unfaithful, divorcing her privately, or marrying her. He chose the second option to show compassion and protect Mary from public shame.

Q: What emotions did Joseph experience throughout the Christmas story?

Joseph initially felt excitement when he and Mary got engaged, but this quickly turned to shock when he learned of her pregnancy. He then experienced confusion and fear as he contemplated his options and the future. Finally, Joseph resolved to follow God's plan, leading to a sense of relief and gratitude.

Q: How did Joseph's resolve impact his decision to marry Mary?

Joseph's resolve demonstrated his commitment to God's plan. He chose not to touch Mary until after the baby was born to emphasize that this was a God-given miracle and to protect her from gossip and rumors.

Key Insights:

• Families thrive when Christ is at the center.
• Sometimes the best decisions are the hardest ones to make.
• The world needs more individuals like Joseph, who are men of integrity and willing to follow God's will.

Overall, Joseph's obedience and commitment played a significant role in the Christmas story, highlighting the importance of his role in raising Jesus as his own.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joseph is often overlooked in the Christmas story, but without his obedience to God, there would be no Christmas to celebrate.

• Joseph's initial excitement turns to shock when he learns that Mary is pregnant, and he is faced with the decision of how to handle the situation.

• Confusion sets in as Joseph weighs his options, but ultimately he resolves to follow God's plan and marry Mary.

• Fear is present as Joseph contemplates the future, but a dream from an angel reassures him and strengthens his resolve.

• Joseph's final decision to marry Mary and raise Jesus as his own demonstrates his unwavering faith and commitment.