HIS EYES WERE HEAVY WITH SLEEP. BUT HE WAS STILL SO EXCITED AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED THAT HE WAS STILL AWAKE . . . .
Suggested Text: Luke 2:1-20
The first light of dawn was glowing over in the eastern sky beyond the hills. Joseph was tired, but he found the strength to keep alert even as he sat near his
young wife and new son. Poor Mary! She was understandably exhausted. He listened with a smile to her light snoring as she slept soundly after the events of earlier that morning. He remembered his own mother telling him years before about giving birth. She'd told him how exhausting it was for her, having her first child at the age of 15 (his older sister). He recalled that now, and was glad Mary was sleeping so soundly.
Then there was his son, sleeping on his mother's bosom. He was to call him Jesus. Joseph said the name out loud now sleepily, and his wife stirred slightly. "Jesus. I love you," he said even softer. Joseph yawned and saw the eastern sky glow just a bit brighter. The last visitors, some shepherds from not far away, had left a little over an hour ago, returning to their flocks. Joseph was surprised to see them at first. Then he remembered what God had said about this baby boy, and his surprise faded. Of course, if He really is the Son of God it
should be no surprise that others would learn about it, and then come to see for themselves as soon as they could. Something told him he had better get used to surprises for all the years ahead as the Son grew to manhood. His son. But not really . . . .
Everything was quiet now. The prospect of sleep began to look better. He might sleep a little himself for a few minutes, if no one else showed up. Before the birth Joseph had asked himself what his own role was in all of this. But now he remembered the angel's words: stay with Mary. Be her husband. Raise God's Son. Name Him Jesus -- and this is why . . . . Joseph smiled. He had been to synagogue many times, and had heard the law read every Sabbath. He had always thought obeying the law was a difficult thing. It took lots of intelligence, lots of watchfulness. But maybe -- beginning with him -- obeying God, doing what God really wanted us to do, was really not that hard after all. With that last thought Joseph slept.
Father God: the gift of your Son Jesus is truly an unspeakable gift! As we think of how He came into the world, we consider the earthly parents You chose for Him. They were perfect for the task you gave them. And they taught us what it means to obey. Now, we look to your Son Jesus, alive and sovereign with You and the Holy Spirit. We wait for His Word to come to us in the days ahead that we may, like Joseph, discover the joy of obedience, and find our rest in you. In His name. Amen.
LBC
Suggested Text: Luke 2:1-20
The first light of dawn was glowing over in the eastern sky beyond the hills. Joseph was tired, but he found the strength to keep alert even as he sat near his
 |
| Joseph could see the light of the sun over in the eastern sky . . . . It was going to be a good new day. |
young wife and new son. Poor Mary! She was understandably exhausted. He listened with a smile to her light snoring as she slept soundly after the events of earlier that morning. He remembered his own mother telling him years before about giving birth. She'd told him how exhausting it was for her, having her first child at the age of 15 (his older sister). He recalled that now, and was glad Mary was sleeping so soundly.
Then there was his son, sleeping on his mother's bosom. He was to call him Jesus. Joseph said the name out loud now sleepily, and his wife stirred slightly. "Jesus. I love you," he said even softer. Joseph yawned and saw the eastern sky glow just a bit brighter. The last visitors, some shepherds from not far away, had left a little over an hour ago, returning to their flocks. Joseph was surprised to see them at first. Then he remembered what God had said about this baby boy, and his surprise faded. Of course, if He really is the Son of God it
 |
| The law had seemed like such a difficult thing before all this. But not any more . . . . |
Everything was quiet now. The prospect of sleep began to look better. He might sleep a little himself for a few minutes, if no one else showed up. Before the birth Joseph had asked himself what his own role was in all of this. But now he remembered the angel's words: stay with Mary. Be her husband. Raise God's Son. Name Him Jesus -- and this is why . . . . Joseph smiled. He had been to synagogue many times, and had heard the law read every Sabbath. He had always thought obeying the law was a difficult thing. It took lots of intelligence, lots of watchfulness. But maybe -- beginning with him -- obeying God, doing what God really wanted us to do, was really not that hard after all. With that last thought Joseph slept.
Father God: the gift of your Son Jesus is truly an unspeakable gift! As we think of how He came into the world, we consider the earthly parents You chose for Him. They were perfect for the task you gave them. And they taught us what it means to obey. Now, we look to your Son Jesus, alive and sovereign with You and the Holy Spirit. We wait for His Word to come to us in the days ahead that we may, like Joseph, discover the joy of obedience, and find our rest in you. In His name. Amen.
LBC
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Hey, thanks for reading. Enjoy AND USE God's world to the full (otherwise you'll be disobeying Him!) Seriously. I'm serious, Mon!! Get your big shovel, and start digging in the ground . . . find oil, gas, coal, burn it, use it; refine it, and travel and function by it! It's God's will, AND we can now do it cleanly! It is time to obey God's orders from Genesis 1!