1. The Christmas Stories: Joseph Matthew 1:1-25, 2:13-23

2. While with Mary we found that God had a plan regardless of her opinion and that she could not escape much of the reality of being a part of His purposes, with Joseph we find a new kind of faith- one that willingly believes and enters into the story by invitation.

3. Joseph shows us the normal man that has been mostly lacking from the Biblical narrative until now. He is common, significant only in an obsolete bloodline, without a natural enemy or grand scheme for life until someone shows up and tells him it would all change if He was willing to be himself in God’s plans.

4. As much as Mary’s story and faith is characterized by the words “May it be…,” Joseph’s faith is summed up in these: “Joseph obeyed and… .”

5. Many would point at his father, David, or cousins like Samson, Elijah, and Gideon, to find inspiration about what men of God look like. These men shed blood to protect the name of God and His people, but in Joseph we find the man God trusts enough to sacrifice himself and care for His actual life: the man of courage and mercy.

6. Joseph’s faith stretches into the everyday
Joseph’s faith stretches into the everyday. Invited to be the protector of another, laying down our own lives and being people of mercy looking forward to the arrival of Christ in another’s heart, do we have the courage to rise with Joseph and let it be said: “________ obeyed and…”