Adapted from Calvary University Christmas: Devotional Day 9 – Who was Joseph
Ask children to observe the wood chip. What is it? Is it pretty or fancy? Is this little piece useful?
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Joseph was not wealthy or powerful. He was a simple young man.
Joseph, believed to be a carpenter by trade, was a young man with a problem to solve. His betrothed, Mary, was pregnant before they were married. This was bad.
As a righteous young man, Joseph knew this meant he needed to divorce and could not marry. Instead, God sent an angel to Joseph to tell him it was ok–more than ok! He wanted Joseph to still marry Mary because she carried the Savior of the world!
Joseph had an important job to do. He needed to make sure the Savior was born safely–what a HUGE job!
He also needed to protect Jesus after he was born. “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13).
Joseph was not powerful or wealthy, but God used him in VERY important ways to send us our Savior.
Was such a plain and unremarkable person someone you’d expect to be used in such a huge way in Jesus’ family? No, but God used him anyway. He needed a Savior just like we do! Jesus is coming!
