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Hope and a Future December 17.

Hope and a Future: December 17

bySeana Scott
December 17, 2023
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An Advent Devotional Study from Caring.

Christmastime can carry many mixed emotions—and lots of stress. But this year will be different.

Reserve five minutes a day to read the daily devotional entry in this series and journey through the Christmas season with peace, perspective and hope.

This “Hope and a Future: Advent Devotional Study” will guide you through the month of December to ponder afresh the story of the Bible with Jesus’ birth as the focus. Find daily a reflection, highlighted Scripture, meaningful questions and a prompt for prayer.

Connect with God this Christmas season and experience hope for the future.

December 17: Joseph’s Decision

Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.

Joseph faced a difficult decision when he discovered Mary’s pregnancy. Do you face any difficult situations this Christmas season? Maybe his story can help.

Mary returned home from her cousin Elizabeth’s house about the time she probably started to show a bump. Soon, her stomach looked more like the size of a breadbasket. We can imagine the neighbors whispered, her parents probably questioned—and Joseph’s heart may have plummeted with disappointment.

Now, Joseph faced a challenging decision: what should he do with the woman he was betrothed to marry? If she was unfaithful, she deserved death under the Law. If she was raped, she did not deserve death—but would he want to father such child?

He decided to quietly divorce Mary (engagement was a legally binding agreement at the time). He wanted to save her from public disgrace, but also maybe wanted to save himself from a messy situation.

Then, an angel appeared to him in a dream and declared to Joseph to take Mary as his wife (and thus Jesus as his son, although not through intimacy with Mary). Joseph’s decision might seem simple to us—but take a moment to imagine the amount of trust Joseph placed in God. He took a young woman who appeared unfaithful to those in her community—as his wife. He displayed courageous character in his obedience to God.

Sometimes, like Joseph, we come to difficult circumstances. Should we stay? Should we go? How should we move forward? And the reality is, following God does not mean we always take the easy route. Sometimes obeying God’s leading means we also need courageous character.

Read: Hear from God

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus (Matt. 1:18-25).

Reflect: Focus on God
When have you needed courageous character in following God?

How might you need courageous character in following Him this Christmas season?

Pray: Talk to God
Talk to God about your reflections above. If you would like a sample prayer, here is one to follow:

Father, God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for your grace in loving me all the time and helping me to see where I need to make different decisions. Lord, I want to follow you in everything—all my time, all my relationships, all my finances. But sometimes I am a coward rather than courageous. Oh, Spirit of God, please help me to be courageous in my obedience to the Father in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do Good:

  • Looking for a meaningful way to prepare your family for Christmas? Try our new, classic downloadable Advent Paper Chain. For 25 days, reflect on the love we receive from God and give to others during the holiday season.
  • Join us in making a difference with The Salvation Army this season and help families in your community during the holidays and beyond.
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