Jesse Tree 26. Joseph - Thursday, 23 December 2021

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23 December, 2021

READ Matthew 1

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”     (Matthew 1:18-21)

REFLECT

The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 lists so many of the characters that we have read about so far in the Jesse tree. It shows the long list of descendants all the way from Abraham through to Jacob, Rahab, Ruth, Jesse, David, and Joseph.

In the story of Jesus' birth, Joseph plays a big part. He’s not as central to the narrative as Mary, yet we shouldn't overlook him. Joseph could have said, "No way! I'm not going to marry her anymore. Even though I love Mary, I want to have a normal life. I don't want to be the adoptive dad of the Son of God. That's weird. People will think I'm weird." But he didn't. Joseph said, "Yes, I'll marry her. I'll help raise the Son of God. I'll let people think I'm weird."

Joseph cared less about what other people thought and more about what God thought. He cared more about Mary and less about himself. And because of that, God gave him a pretty cool part in God’s story. God used Joseph to raise Jesus. Joseph got to teach Jesus how to use a hammer and build a chair, how to read the Bible, and how to love other people. Joseph got to be Jesus’ dad.

TALK

  • What things did Jesus learn from Joseph?
  • What can you learn from Joseph?

 PRAY

God, thank you for inviting Joseph into your story, and for the example, he sets for us. Help me think less about my reputation and more about following you and your good ways. Help me to be brave and strong to do your good in the world. Amen.

BLESS & DO

Add the next picture to your tree

Think about someone who has been a positive influence in your life and find a way to bless them. 




Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html                 

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