Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Thinking About Christmas
Today’s Verse:
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ~Matthew 1:20
What are you thinking about this Christmas? Last-minute Christmas shopping? What to get for the person on your shopping list who is hard to shop for? What stores will be open on Christmas Eve for the last-minute gifts? Family get-togethers? What to make or bring for the family dinner? Whatever it might be, all of us probably have a lot to think about when it comes to Christmas. Our devotion this morning centers on things that Joseph thought about Christmas.
We see troubled thoughts.
Joseph was shocked, shattered, and shaking in his thoughts. Mary told him that she was with Child by the Holy Spirit. He was in disbelief and doubted in himself if she was genuinely truthful. He loved her and thought that he would have a bill of divorce prepared to break off their marriage. His thoughts at that moment were extreme. We must be careful how we react to information we hear. We can tend to think the worst of a situation and go into a survival or desperation mode of thinking. Joseph thought the worst concerning him and Mary. His thoughts at that moment were excruciating. He was broken-hearted and at a low point. Be careful of troubled thoughts.
We see transforming thoughts.
At the right moment, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph. First, the angel called him by his name. When you have troubled thoughts, always remember that the Lord knows all about it and how you feel. Second, the angel told him to “fear not.” Let go of your anxious thoughts, your fears, and your what-ifs. Third, the angel told him to stay in his marriage. Don’t quit what you are doing and where God has placed you. Fourth, the angel validated that Mary was with Child by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. He was told that she had conceived as a virgin! Fifth, the angel told him that Mary would bring forth a Son, and that His name would be called Jesus! The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 was placed in his mind, and he realized that the promised Saviour of the world would enter through Mary’s womb. Joseph had transformed thoughts. The Word of the Lord gave him the mind of the Lord for his life.
We see trusting thoughts.
Joseph was raised from his sleep and did as the angel told him by taking Mary as his wife. Joseph had complete faith in the message of the angel. He had faith that Mary would give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. He had faith in God’s plan for their marriage. He had faith in the reality that Jesus would be born through Mary and live with them. He had faith in God’s salvation, God’s plan for his future, and how God would work distinctly through him and Mary. He had faith in God’s plan for him in being in a servant role. By faith, Joseph obeyed the Word of God and did what he was told to do because he knew that God could be trusted completely. Trusting thoughts give us peace, comfort, and strength.
We see treasured thoughts.
For the remainder of his life, Joseph treasured the visit from the angel and how his troubled thoughts became blessed thoughts. This Christmas, let us treasure the fact that Jesus came into this world by way of a virgin birth to be our Saviour. Let us treasure the thought of our salvation and that Jesus is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Let your mind be stayed upon the Lord, His incarnation, and the gift of eternal life through His death for you.
Have a fulfilling God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 John 1-5
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