Joseph #adventbookclub
Matthew 1:18-24 (CEV)
The Birth of Jesus
18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding.
20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
24 After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord’s angel had told him to do.
How has this happened? How can it be? I thought Mary was a good ‘un. But a baby?!? Well I know for a fact it’s not mine.
What can I do? I don’t want to cause the poor girl any more embarrassment, she’ll suffer enough as it is. People pointing, whispering, wondering…
Then this dream, well not exactly a dream. It seemed to be God, speaking, very clearly. He explained it all. Well I think he did. Though I’m not sure I’m any clearer.
But I’m sure it’s of God.
Lord,
sometimes you surprise me,
with what you ask of me,
and the path my life takes.
I don’t always understand,
can’t see where we’re going,
and when you tell me,
I don’t always get it.
Help me to trust,
to hold tight,
to walk with you,
who never lets me down.
Join us reading Walking Backwards to Christmas by Stephen Cottrell from SPCK Publishing this advent. Be part of #adventbookclub, share your thoughts here, on your own blog (and let us know we’ll link to it), on Twitter using #adventbookclub or on the Adventbookclub Facebook page
Pam's Perambulation 
It seemed to be God, speaking, very clearly. He explained it all. Well I think he did. Though I’m not sure I’m any clearer.
But I’m sure it’s of God.
I don’t always understand,
can’t see where we’re going,
and when you tell me,
I don’t always get it.
Help me to trust,
to hold tight,
to walk with you,
who never lets me down.
Amen. In spades…