What just happened?  Why would God choose me to be the mother of the Christ child?  I am no better than anyone else.  I am just an ordinary Jewish girl.  Why would the angel call me highly favored and blessed among women?  I know that God has chosen me, but I am so undeserving. 

Oh my!  How will I ever explain this to Joseph?  He is not going to believe me.  I wouldn’t believe me.  I must tell him.  What about my parents?  No one is going to believe me.  They are all going to think I was with another man.  I need your help, God.  How do I tell them?  How do I tell Joseph I am pregnant?

I don’t know how long it was before Mary told anyone about the angel’s proclamation.  It may have been right away, or she may have thought about it for days.  When a Jewish couple was espoused, it was like being married without living together.  The engagement period was taken very seriously.  If she was unfaithful, she could have been stoned.  All of this must have been going through her head.  Luke 1:26-38 shares how the angel proclaimed Mary the chosen one. We must realize Mary could have refused, but Mary chose to be obedient.  In verse 38, Mary says, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”  In other words, she said, “Yes, I will do it.”

Just as Mary was a chosen one, Joseph must have been chosen, too.  When we look at Joseph, we learn some things about him.  Mary was right.  Joseph did not believe her.  But he did not react in haste.  He pondered over what to do.  Most of us would have been emotional and reacted out of hurt or anger, but not Joseph.  He loved her and did not want her hurt.  Luke 1:19-25 tells us of Joseph’s reaction.  Perhaps he was lying on his bed thinking to himself.

How could Mary do this to me?  I thought she loved me.  I cannot believe she would be unfaithful to me, and she has the nerve to say it was the Christ child in her womb. She even said an angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and He would be the Son of God.  Does she think I am a fool?  Why would I believe such a story?  Maybe, I can put her away privately, and no one will know. 

Then Joseph’s thoughts were interrupted by an angel as well.  This angel verified everything Mary had told him.  Can you imagine the thoughts that rushed through his mind?  I am not sure from Scripture the total chronology.  When did Joseph marry Mary?  Was it before Mary went to see Elizabeth, or perhaps it was when she was at Elizabeth’s home?  Did Joseph go with Mary to Elizabeth’s house.  Judah was 100 miles away.  Zacharia was a priest. Is this a possibility?  Joseph probably stayed awake thinking about what to do next.  Wouldn’t he be planning how to do this discreetly.  Can you imagine what Joseph may have been thinking after the angel’s visit?

What kind of father can I be to the Son of God?  How can I, a sinner, be the earthly father of the Savior of the world? What could I possibly teach Him?  What is our family going to think?  People will think that we have been unfaithful to our vows and had relations before our marriage vows were complete.  We will cause all of our family shame.  Okay, Lord, I will do as you say.  If you have chosen us to be your Son’s earthly parents, then we will do our best to honor you.  I must admit. I don’t feel up to the task.  I am afraid.  I will marry her right away.

We find Joseph obedient to God’s voice.  He does not say maybe tomorrow.  He does not say in a little while.  He does not argue with what God told him to do.  He just does it.  Joseph obeys other times in the Scriptures, too.  He immediately obeys.  Joseph obeys when the angel commands him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because the child’s life is in danger.  The Bible says, “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt.” Matthew 2:14. He did not even wait until morning.  He obeyed right away.  What would have been the consequences if Joseph had waited?

Don’t we realize God trusted Joseph with His Son?  How many of us would have gotten right out of bed to obey?  We would have said, “Okay, Lord.  I’ll get on it in the morning.  I am sure you don’t mean now.”  Could we have been trusted with the amazing honor of raising Jesus?

Then Joseph was told by an angel to return to the land of Israel since Herod was dead.  He went into Israel, but Joseph became concerned because he heard Archelaus reigned in Judea.  He was afraid to go further.  So, Joseph was warned in a dream to go to Nazareth. How many times does Joseph listen to God?  I am sure there were many more times Joseph was obedient that are not recorded in God’s Word.

What is our excuse for not obeying God?  Well, if an angel appeared to me, I would listen.  Joseph had an angel talking to him, so he has an advantage over us.  If an angel came and told me to do something, I would do it.  Would we really?  Does Joseph really have an advantage over us?

We have God’s Word and the Holy Spirit living inside of us.   Joseph did not have the Scriptures he could hold in his hand.  The Holy Spirit made appearances, but He did not live inside of Joseph as He does in us today.  Joseph had faith in God, just as we should.

I cannot imagine being chosen to be Jesus’ parent.  That would be such a daunting task.  However, we each have been chosen to carry out God’s will for our lives.  Each task that God gives to His children is important and designed just for us. No job is insignificant if you have said “Yes” to God.

Some people may feel they have messed up too bad to be a part of God’s will.  They don’t feel He can use them anymore.  Many times, we get off the chosen path, and God designs a new plan, but we are never thrown away or discarded.  He loves us so much.  Just as Peter strayed and denied our Lord, we may stray, but He forgives us.

My Father in Heaven perfect.  My earthly father loved me even though I messed up so often.  If my earthly father can forgive and have faith in me and he was not perfect, my Heavenly Father who has a perfect love for me will always love me, even when I mess up.  He may change my path, but He will always be with me.

In this New Year, may we each search for God’s perfect will for us.  Don’t hesitate!  Say, “Yes, Lord,” and do it now.  Be like Joseph, and don’t hesitate.  Happy New Year!

Mrs. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren.  She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.