My boys have started celebrating Christmas with our tradition of opening a gift a day, two more days until Christmas. Two more days until we celebrate the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please do not lose focus of the incarnation of The Son of God during this Christmas season. The incarnation of Jesus is just as important to His deity as His death, burial, resurrection, and accession to the Father. If any of those events are dismissed from the life of Jesus, you have denied the deity of Christ. With that being said, I want to thank the Lord this morning for the character of Joseph. That he was “a just man, and not willing to make her (Mary) a publick example, was minded to put her away privity” (Matt. 1:19). Joseph and Mary’s engagement was final as if they were already married; the document was as binding as a marriage license. Joseph had all rights to put her away publicly, with open shame, or he could put her away privately and spare her some immediate public shame; but Joseph was a “just man.” Joseph was one who had to endure the talk, the finger-pointing, the open shame. Either folk believed the story that Jesus was virgin-born of the Holy Ghost or called Joseph a liar. “But while he (Joseph) thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (v.20). I not only want to thank Joseph for being a just man, but also an obedient servant. God spoke to Joseph through an angel in a dream, and because of that, he would rather be obedient to God and continue with his plans and engagement to Mary. But understand he will endure the people’s criticism, but the joy of being used by God to bring God’s Only Begotten Son into the World was stronger than the fear of criticism. Would you help me take the time and thank God for the character of Joseph? Strong godly character in the face of criticism is not something we often find anymore. People have many avenues to spread lies; however, if you stand with God, I promise you based on His Word, He will stand with you. Father, we thank you this morning for the involvement Joseph had in supporting Mary during her Virgin birth and bringing your Son into the world that He would eventually die for our sins. I pray blessings upon our readers this morning! Be Blessed in Jesus Name!

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” Luke 1:46, 47. There is joy deep inside the servant of God that rejoices over the opportunities God gives us to serve Him. Gabriel’s visitation to Mary concerning the birth of Jesus, and the obedient spirit she had to be the willing vessel God would use, created a spirit of worship in her soul. When we realize that we are not deserving of the love God has demonstrated toward us, my friend, and when we realize we are not deserving of the gifts God has bestowed upon us, we will serve with a grateful heart. Often, worship is hindered in our churches because we think we are deserving of a response from the people. As Christians, we must be grateful that God chose to use us, and that alone will create worship within our own souls. “For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (v.48). Mary was in awe that God would take the time to use a person of “low estate” as she considered herself. Mary is demonstrating the true meaning of humility. God said that He would “resist the proud and give grace to the humble.” And, as a result of her humility, God has allowed this young lady to give birth to the Son of God. He allowed Mary to raise Jesus and mother the Son of God. Goodness, we have done nothing close to that, or at least I am speaking for myself. I want to encourage us to serve God with a spirit of humility. I want to encourage us to serve God with the understanding that we are not worthy of His attention. But because He has chosen us as the vessel to use, we are the blessed ones. It is not the people we serve that are blessed; it is the ones who God has blessed to serve. Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for every opportunity I have to serve you. Lord, I thank you that you have blessed me with the opportunities to serve in your Kingdom. And, I pray for the readers of this devotion that they will serve you in such a manner that their “souls will magnify the Lord” and their spirit will rejoice in the God of their Salvation. Be Blessed in Jesus Name! .”

As we enter into the week of Christmas celebration. As believers, as the body of Christ, it is a joyous time of celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Many gifts will be bought, and many gifts will be given this week. But we celebrate the Greatest Gift anyone can receive, The Lord Jesus Christ being born of a virgin. As the angel appeared to Mary and began to explain how the Holy Ghost would come upon her, she would have a Son, and His name would be Jesus. We are thankful this morning for the angel Gabriel delivering that message to Mary. That was his task given by God, and he fulfilled that task. However, I want to bring your attention to Mary’s response to the announcement of Gabriel. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to they word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Mary acknowledges herself as a servant of God, the handmaiden of the Lord. Thank you, Mary, for your willingness to listen to the instructions of God. Thank you, Mary, for being a willing vessel; God could use to bring the gift of Salvation to the whole world. I ask you this morning are you saved, and if you so, do you present yourself to God as a willing vessel. Mary was special because of her response; Mary was special when the Holy Ghost came upon her. My friend, God, is still looking for the Mary spirit to present the Son of God to the whole world. How willing are you to submit your will to God’s will and be used through this week to bless someone? Father, I pray that we will have the Mary Spirit throughout this week and allow the Holy Ghost to use us to demonstrate the Gift of God to the Whole World. Be Blessed in Jesus Name!