By the Holy Spirit
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, come afresh into my heart, renew my mind and lead my life throughout this day.
Read Matthew 1:18-24
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
Why do you think it was important that the baby be conceived by the Holy Spirit?Apply
How would you have reacted if you had been Joseph? Has God ever asked you to do something quite incredible? How did you react?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, build in me a strong and trusting spirit so that I’ll be willing to do whatever You may call me to.