Monday 5 December 2011

Journeying with Mary Day Nine

Day Nine - Monday 5th December 2011

Matthew 1:20
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."

Today we move from following Luke's gospel to that of Matthew. Whilst Luke's gospel is relational and deals in depth with Mary; Matthew is more concerned with ancestry and Jewish family lines which brings Joseph into the foreground.

It is not clear when the Angel appeared to Joseph in the timeline we are following; it might have been immediately after visiting Mary and before she left to be with Elizabeth.  Or perhaps Joseph was visited whilst Mary was away.  Maybe Joseph had his doubts and concerns about Mary's miraculous pregnancy quickly allayed, or perhaps he was questioning his choice of fiancee and was pleased she was away from him.  We don't know.  But we do know that he must have been doubting and fearful since the Lord sent an angel to reassure and instruct him to take Mary as his wife.

Prayer of the Day
Father as we journey today with Joseph we do not know how Mary was feeling; we know that she must have been doubted and that this must have been difficult for her to bare.  Lord we know that you understand our pain and torment and ask that you come close to us, as you did to her, when we need you.  Amen.

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