Making of Home: Day 5 Reflection
Read Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: 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. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Reflect
Think about Joseph’s deciding to deal privately with Mary rather than to denounce her publicly and about his accepting responsibility for a child that was n0t his. What experiences and influences do you suppose formed him into such a compassionate person?
Response
Who have you known like Joseph—kind, quietly faithful, reflective, good, compassionate? What experiences do you think shaped them to be so?
Response
God spoke to Joseph in a dream. What dreams do you remember? Have you ever asked God Whether your dreams had special meaning? Do you think dreams can bring guidance about life’s problems? Why or why not?
Response
What experiences in your life have prepared you to want to listen to God? What people are models for you of how to listen to God?
Rest
Sit in God’s presence and reflect on people who have taught you how to listen to God. Listen for anything God may want to say to you.
Pray a breath prayer
Until your next time of reflection, pray a breath prayer of your own creation or this one: “God of many paths, draw me close to you.”
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