Love Sacrificially
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“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:5-7)
Passage: Corinthians 13:4-13
Mary was a young woman of deep faith, but being the mother of the Messiah, who was fully God and fully human had to be overwhelming. Through all she experienced and saw in His life, I’m sure they were many thing she wondered about, but there is one thing I am absolutely sure she never questioned. That was whether Joseph loved her. He showed his love even when he thought she had been unfaithful. Thought he believed God’s laws prevented him from marrying her, he looked for a way to divorce her without her being hurt any more. After the angel visited him, he married her and committed himself to protecting and providing for her and Jesus despite any ridicule he would receive. He then took her to Bethlehem to get her away from the rejection of family and community and set up a shop and home in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. He walked while she rode the 70-75 mile trip. He did all he could to turn a stable into a delivery room and turned a feed trough into a cradle. Finally, he postponed his own sexual desires until after Jesus was born.
The deepest love is not something that goes up and down on feelings. It is the agape love of God that is self-less, sacrificial and serving. Joseph showed that to Mary early and throughout their lives. He loved like Jesus would show the world. Follow his example and experience Christmas in your home.
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