The Emotions of Mary and Joseph

A few years ago my husband and I attended a reunion in Branson, MO where we saw the awesome performance of The Miracle of Christmas at the Sight & Sound Theatre. I was impressed by how they displayed the emotions of Mary and Joseph when they were faced with the announcements of Gabriel.

While the Jewish nation was waiting for God to free them from living in Roman bondage God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary, “Greetings, You are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled and questioned the angel. The angel said to her, “Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Mary asked the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin.” Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. . . For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary recognized God’s voice and responded, “I am your servant, and may it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:20-38)

Joseph, Mary’s fiancée was troubled when he learned Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. He did not want to expose her to public disgrace so he had in mind to divorce her quietly. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (bondage).” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel commanded and took Mary home as his wife but had no union with her until she gave birth to a son, and he named the son Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a righteous man and Mary had found favor with God, they were greatly troubled, however, they recognized the voice of God, the angel delivered. Because of Mary’s obedience, she had the honor of giving birth to Jesus, the long awaited Messiah fulfilling what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah.

I have to ask myself, “Am I so committed to God that when the Holy Spirit tells me to do something my response is like Mary’s,’ I am your servant, and may it be to me as you have said.

Pray for your grandchildren, their parents and yourself to live so close to God that when He speaks to them they will recognize his voice, listen to Him, follow Him in obedience, and trust Him, as Mary and Joseph did.

By Lillian Penner