Christmas with Compassion - Day 11
Day 11 - Monday, December 18
Read Matthew 1:18-25
Highlight
We don’t know much about the specifics of Joseph and Mary’s courtship, but based on what we know about the Jewish customs of the time we know that they were likely young. Mary was probably in her early teens and Joseph not much older. They would also have come from the same tribe, perhaps related in some way which would have been a normal practice. It’s possible they knew each other well, but their families would have made the match. In the Jewish custom an engagement was a covenantal arrangement between families. It would have begun with a contract presented by Joseph to Mary’s family and would normally last around a year before the marriage was officiated. During this time preparations for an elaborate wedding feast would have been underway and Mary’s family would be preparing her dowry. In other words, this engagement period was significant and public.
Suffice to say, the news of a pregnancy would have thrown a real wrench in the plans and would have been incredibly shameful for Mary and her family. Joseph would have been well within his rights not just to break off his engagement to Mary, but to make her an outcast in their community. We get a glimpse into the heart and integrity of Joseph in this passage. Before he hears the news from the angel, Joseph is already preparing to end this engagement as compassionately as possible. We can only imagine what Joseph must have been thinking or feeling, but his actions reflect the character of a kind and noble young man. Moreover, when an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he, like Mary, is quick to respond with obedience despite the potential consequences. We don’t know the details of what happened next. We know Joseph followed through with his commitment to take Mary as his wife, but it’s possible this was a complicated and difficult season as they navigated the social implications of this decision. And here begins the arrival of our Savior, in perhaps the most unlikely and unusual of circumstances, with two faithful teenagers who receive with courage a sacred calling. Surely they could not have imagined the full implications of their assignment, but nonetheless they choose to trust and obey.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 1:18-25
Highlight
We don’t know much about the specifics of Joseph and Mary’s courtship, but based on what we know about the Jewish customs of the time we know that they were likely young. Mary was probably in her early teens and Joseph not much older. They would also have come from the same tribe, perhaps related in some way which would have been a normal practice. It’s possible they knew each other well, but their families would have made the match. In the Jewish custom an engagement was a covenantal arrangement between families. It would have begun with a contract presented by Joseph to Mary’s family and would normally last around a year before the marriage was officiated. During this time preparations for an elaborate wedding feast would have been underway and Mary’s family would be preparing her dowry. In other words, this engagement period was significant and public.
Suffice to say, the news of a pregnancy would have thrown a real wrench in the plans and would have been incredibly shameful for Mary and her family. Joseph would have been well within his rights not just to break off his engagement to Mary, but to make her an outcast in their community. We get a glimpse into the heart and integrity of Joseph in this passage. Before he hears the news from the angel, Joseph is already preparing to end this engagement as compassionately as possible. We can only imagine what Joseph must have been thinking or feeling, but his actions reflect the character of a kind and noble young man. Moreover, when an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he, like Mary, is quick to respond with obedience despite the potential consequences. We don’t know the details of what happened next. We know Joseph followed through with his commitment to take Mary as his wife, but it’s possible this was a complicated and difficult season as they navigated the social implications of this decision. And here begins the arrival of our Savior, in perhaps the most unlikely and unusual of circumstances, with two faithful teenagers who receive with courage a sacred calling. Surely they could not have imagined the full implications of their assignment, but nonetheless they choose to trust and obey.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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