Advent Day 6

 “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20 ESV)

There has been a lot, of news lately about UFOs, extraterrestrials, and whatnot. Do you believe in extraterrestrials? If you believe in Christ, you should; God sends angels who are not from here to earth! I am not saying that angels operate spaceships, only that they are sent from heaven and are not of this world.

As the birth of Jesus approached one such angel, Gabriel was busy with the Christmas rush. Gabriel visited two people on earth, most likely three. First, Gabriel visited Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. He next visited Mary, and most likely, it was Gabriel who visited Joseph. I wonder why the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream three times. He also appeared to the wise men in a dream, warning them not to return to Herrod.

Sinclair suggests perhaps, like in the Old Testament; God sent the angel in a dream to reassure Joseph that God is still revealing Himself to His people. I like that idea. Perhaps Joseph needed that light bulb to go off. You know, you are struggling with something and cannot figure it out. Suddenly, the lightbulb goes off, and there is clarity.

Joesph was seeking a piece of the puzzle before him, and the angel of God gave it to him. God handed the piece of the puzzle to Joseph so that Joseph understood it was not he who figured out the puzzle but that God, who had laid out the plan in the form of a puzzle, gave him the answer.

Joseph was devoted to God, and Matthew reveals his devotion when he wrote, “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife” (Matthew 1:24). Joseph followed God’s commands.

We should all admire Joseph; Matthew made that clear. Joseph was molded and shaped by God. God was preparing Joseph for the complex, dangerous, trusted task of being the father on earth to the true Son of God. God called, and Joseph answered. Would you?

Grace and Peace!

Sinclair Ferguson, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace”, The Goodbook Company, 2021