The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 1:18-21, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Marriage was quite different in biblical times. Young people, of marriageable age and attracted to each other, needed parental consent, which included sufficient money to insure that they had substantial means to commence a life together.

The first stage of marriage in Jewish culture (what we today would call “engagement”) generally lasted for a year before the
couple were legally married and began living together as “man
and wife.” In Mary’s case, she discovered she was pregnant
prior to their physical union.

Joseph, a pure and righteous man, now faced a serious decision. Were he not to marry her prior to the Child’s birth, Mary would bear the Child without being legally married, and would cause everyone to believe that the Child had been born
in sin, outside of the bonds of a pure marriage.

Joseph had a tough decision. Were he not to marry the Child’s
mother, she would bear shame for the remainder of her life. On the other hand, he would have to put her away quietly and she would be forced to live the rest of her life alone with the Child.

Wisely, Joseph seriously considered what he should do. He did
not act hastily. And while he was considering the matter, “an
angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream,” informing him that this whole matter was the plan and purpose of the LORD. In fact, Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the LORD. It was His plan that she was to bear a Son and His Name would be called “Jesus.” What’s more, the Child would ultimately be the means of saving His people from their sin.”

The Christmas story, as it is called, was all in the Hands of the
LORD! We often face decisions that seem impossible! What are we to do? We are best to wait on the LORD. Joseph could have made a mess of things by making a decision on his own. Instead, he simply “considered” the matter-at-hand, and the LORD interceded and ultimately provided salvation for all who would believe on Him.

Have you been saved? Have you truly trusted the LORD to forgive your sins and straighten all things out in your life? Simply repent; ask forgiveness for your sins and trust the LORD Jesus to forgive them. That’s why He came to earth! He came to rescue you and me from sin and make us His children. This could be your best CHRISTmas ever!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom