Read Matthew 1:18-23
On that Christmas night, Mary labored to give birth to God in flesh. Joseph naturally felt responsible for providing shelter and stability. Yet, this carpenter could not build provisions quick enough. Jesus was coming. Joseph had been trusting God for months that this baby was the Messiah. As we read in Matthew, the angel gave Joseph instructions for how to lead his family. First, he was not to fear taking Mary as his wife. Second, he was to embrace Jesus as his family. Joseph owned the responsibility of marrying his expecting fiancée and naming her son, the way a Hebrew father would do. Joseph had true Christmas hope, because he trusted that God’s salvation in Jesus was the greatest treasure in life.
The virgin birth with Joseph’s aid
Beheld the Son of God as babe
With longing eyes they looked upon
The people’s hope, the Holy One
Hope is the desire or expectation for a certain thing to happen. It believes something is concrete and absolute. Joseph wasn't hopeful that God would remove his difficulties in his journey. His concrete hope was that God’s salvation was ultimately greater than his difficulties.
Maybe you’ve had a tough year, faced loss, are overworked, or feel misunderstood. Or maybe, you know someone who needs encouragement right now. Our hope this Christmas is the Holy One who has come to deal with sin, the root of all our problems, by showing us grace in the cross of Christ. Think about that truth… First the Holy Creator and Judge has made himself accessible to be “with us” in every experience. And second, he has dealt with the penalty, power, and presence of sin by the blood of his cross.
We live in a world hoping in false saviors and promoting temporary happiness. But Jesus has come to give everlasting life and contentment. Jesus is the path to authentic living! What a thing to hope in! This Christmas week, opportunities abound for us to share the hope of Jesus. Enrich this season with the truth that God is with us and for us! May longing eyes look upon him.
