The Road to ChristmasSample

Grace In Disguise

We recite the story every Christmas and know how the story ends – Mary and Joseph’s baby boy saves mankind from our sins. But dwell for a moment on the seismic shock of an engaged but not yet married couple falling pregnant? Then they have the audacity to say their child will be the Messiah! Prior to Roman rule, similar sins could have been punished by public humiliation and stoning.

In Luke (1:26–56), Gabriel gives Mary the good news that she is to carry the Son of God into the world. In Matthew 1:18–25, Joseph finds out Mary is pregnant. The initial revelation doesn’t come from an angel. It’s impossible to underestimate how foundation shattering this news would have been at a human level. Joseph loved Mary – their engagement was as legally and culturally binding as the final marriage ceremony. When Matthew records Joseph as a righteous man, he’s referring to Joseph prioritising the protection of Mary’s reputation through a quiet divorce over his righteous indignation. No public hearings; no public spectacle. What impeccably chosen souls our Father invested our eternal futures through!

Take a breath. Meditate for a moment on how this devout, but gossiped about; criticised and perhaps isolated young couple found the spiritual strength to bring Emmanuel to us.

Without the benefit of seeing how the story would end, these two stepped out, steadfast in their belief that God’s promises are true. Emmanuel. God IS with us.

Written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES