He Came to Change the World: 7 Day Advent GuideSample

Joseph was a descendant of King David and had been taught the Oral Law from the time he was a young boy. Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was married to a priest, indicating her family’s values. Jesus would grow up in a loving home that observed the Jewish laws. But Jesus was conceived in a way that appeared to conflict with those Jewish laws. Mary and Joseph were betrothed. Betrothal was nothing like today’s engagement period. Mary and Joseph did not live together, but their betrothal was an arrangement so binding that it could not be ended except by divorce. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, the Oral Law gave him an additional option. He could have had Mary killed by stoning. Yet Scripture tells us that Mary was “highly favored!”

Scripture says the Lord was with Mary . . . and the Lord was with Joseph. The presence of God enabled Joseph to believe and trust that the rules of his religion were to be submitted to the author of his religion. If Joseph had obeyed what he thought was right, he would have missed obeying the One who is right.

Jesus was born into a religion that had become a set of rules and traditions to obey. His conception was an early indicator that he came to clarify the rules about God through a relationship with God. Will God call us to step outside of what is “conventional thought” in order to obey him this Christmas? Will you say “Merry Christmas” even if you are encouraged to say “Happy Holidays”? Will you gladly share the story of Jesus with a world that prefers Santa? Will you wish people joy even if they say “Bah Humbug”?

The angel told Mary she was “highly favored” and that “the Lord is with you.” Then she was told to faithfully accept a path that appeared to disobey the laws of her day. May all of us submit what seems to be right to the One who is right.