Advent reminds us that we need to prepare our hearts for Christmas. I hope these daily devotionals are helping you understand a small portion of what Mary must have experienced as she carried the Christ child within her womb.
When Mary told Joseph that she was pregnant, he planned to divorce her. Mary felt overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a single parent.
But that night, when Joseph lay down to sleep, God spoke to him in a dream assuring him that this child was not the result of unfaithfulness on Mary’s part but just the reverse: Her faith-full-ness to God was the reason God chose her to parent this child.
When Joseph told Mary that he too had received a message from God and that they would still be married, Mary must have felt…relieved.
The load of responsibility that threatened to overwhelm suddenly seemed less heavy. Joseph would be at her side to help carry the load, and as her husband he would protect her. She would not have to face societal condemnation alone. She must have thanked God over and over that night for this special man who would help her raise this amazing child.
I too thank God for my spouse. This week my credit card number was used fraudulently. I wouldn’t have known who to call or where to begin straightening out the account. How relieved I was as my husband Gene handled the whole problem for me. In a matter of minutes, he canceled the old card and ordered a new one. What a relief to have him take charge for me.
Have you ever passed through a stressful period and then found that someone was willing to come alongside you and lift a portion of your load? Take a moment today and offer a prayer of thanks to God for that person. Even if you haven’t found that person, you are not alone. In Hebrews 13:5-6, the Lord tells us, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”
