Joseph, Don't Be Afraid

By Mary Vee
Matthew the former Taxcollector 
Matthew 1

From Matthew's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Joseph. I have been engaged to be married to Mary. Recently I discovered she was going to have a baby. 

My heart was broken. I didn't understand. But this I knew, I didn't want her to suffer humiliation by all who lived in the town. 

I made a plan to divorce her quietly and move on with my life. That same night, I went to bed, not really happy about what would have to be done the next day. 

I fell into a deep sleep and at some point had the most amazing dream. An angel came to me and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby she is carrying is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. This child will grow up and save his people from their sins."

I remembered the teachings from the prophets, the one that said, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God with us."

I woke the next morning and remembered the entire dream. God sent a messenger to speak to me. Such a special message. Mary. She is the chosen one. 

I had to follow the angel's instructions. I would marry Mary. I would protect her and the child she God has placed in her. 

When I saw her at the wedding I said, "Mary, an angel told me the news."

"So you know?" she said.

"Yes. I will not divorce you. We will marry and I will take care of you and this child. Once he is born, we can have our own family."

She smiled a tender sweet smile. This is the woman God chose to care for His son as a child. God also chose me to take care of her. I want to do what is right. What God wants me to do. I only hope I will. I am honored.




Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty