22nd December 2025

Keeping God's Word 

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep,

did as the angel of the Lord commanded him

and took to him his wife.  

Matthew 1:24

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and then to shepherds with good news for the world (Luke 1:26-27; 2:10), was it good news to this young girl? Perhaps Mary was thinking: How do I explain my pregnancy to my family? Will my fiancé Joseph call off the betrothal? What will the people of my village say? Even if my life is spared, how will I survive as a mother all alone?

When Joseph learned about Mary’s pregnancy, he was troubled. He had three options. Go ahead with the marriage, divorce her publicly and allow her to be publicly scorned, or break off the engagement quietly. Joseph chose option three, but God intervened. He told Joseph in a dream, “Do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:20).

For Mary and Joseph, Christmas began with submitting themselves to God in spite of the unthinkable emotional challenges before them. They entrusted themselves to God and in doing so demonstrated for us the promise of 1 John 2:5: “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.”

May God’s love fill your hearts this Christmastime—and every day—as you walk with Him.

Prayer:   Fill my heart, Lord, with rejoicing at the gift of Your love and forgiveness found in Your Son Jesus. Amen.