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. 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.

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. 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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1: 18-24 (NIV)

Do you make huge life decisions based on dreams? I know I don’t. Actually, I rarely remember my dreams let alone make choices based on them.

Unlike me, however, God spoke to Joseph in his dreams. Not just once, but Matthew recounts at least three times Joseph received direction from God in a dream (1:20, 2:13, 2:19).

Joseph, like Mary, was faithful to the law of God. He went through the proper stages of betrothal—he submitted a written (or oral) contract to Mary’s parents, they accepted and the engagement was established. (Engagement typically lasted one year during which time relationships developed and a wedding was planned.) During their year-long engagement, it was understood by everyone that there would be no physical contact between the pair—it was unlawful and would bring shame and discipline from the community.

I wonder how betrayed Joseph must’ve felt when he found out Mary was pregnant. And it wasn’t his doing! I’d be furious and so disappointed. I’d want everyone to know I was innocent. Good thing God chose a man like Joseph rather than a person like me.

Joseph convinced he shouldn’t go through with the marriage, had compassion on Mary and was considering how to divorce her quietly—good man. Then he had a dream…

God spoke to Joseph, apparently convincingly, and told him the Holy Spirit conceived the baby Mary carried. The baby was the long-awaited Messiah, who would save his people of their sins. Joseph was told to go ahead with the marriage!

And Joseph believed and took Mary as his wife—faithful man.

Imagine the stares. Imagine the community gossip. Imagine the way even Mary’s family would’ve treated Mary and Joseph. I’m sure they all believed Joseph and Mary had sinned.

God chose this man to parent His Son.

I am surprised that this was the way God chose to incarnate his Son into the world. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus experienced every feeling/temptation we experience and therefore understands and is able to mediate between God and us (Hebrews 4:15).

He understands how it feels to be born into a family which experienced shame. He understands what it feels like to be an outcast. He has empathy because he understands how I felt as a child.

As you anticipate Christmas, consider how and why Jesus understands and loves you.