Joseph was at work, sawing wood and pounding nails, thinking of his lovely fiancée. He was a righteous man and committed to his bride.
Then shocking news arises: she’s pregnant. That was not his work. Doubt creeps in: perhaps Mary isn’t who he thought she was. But a righteous man gets right to work. He makes a plan to distance himself from the circumstances while minimising harm to Mary.
He falls asleep, his mind at work, settling on his plan of action.
Then, in the midst of fear, doubt and concern, God bursts in! He sends a divine messenger with a divine message, offering clarity, truth, and assurance. And the angel lays out the work to be done: Mary is to give birth, Joseph is to name, and Jesus will save. God’s plan was firmly in motion; God was at work as He had been for many centuries.
‘They shall call his name Immanuel.’
‘You shall call His name Jesus.’
God with us means that He will save His people from their sins. The presence of God is salvation.
Mary and Joseph got to work, fulfilled their parts. God is at work, fulfilling His part: revealing His saving presence to those who are called by His name.
What’s your part? How can you be at work, revealing that Jesus’ presence saves?
