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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And He will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
— Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Christmas is more than tradition, nostalgia, or celebration — Christmas is a rescue mission.
God did not send a symbol. He sent His Son. Jesus was not born so we could escape struggle, but
so we would never struggle alone again.
 

The Apostle John reminds every man of the true catalyst behind the manger:
 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16 (NIV)
 

Love moved Heaven to Earth. Salvation began with a birth — but it ends in a choice. Every man
must answer the same question: Who is this child to me?
 

The mission:

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to redeem those under the law…”
— Galatians 4:4–5 (NIV)
 

Jesus came with purpose, timing, and assignment. His birth was intentional. Christmas exists
because God keeps His promises.
 

Don’t just celebrate the season. Submit to the reason. The Savior has a name. His name is
Jesus.
 

The rest of the story:
 

There is another side of the story we don’t talk about very much but as men its worth taking the
time to reflect upon. Behind every wonder and miracle there is usually a struggle that no one sees
except the people going through it. In this case it was Joseph’s struggle through the birth of
Jesus.

Joseph’s Struggle, Jesus’ Arrival, and a Man’s Faithful Response
 

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her
publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this an angel of the
Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to
take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. -
Matthew 1:19-20
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Joseph was a man caught between:
> What he knew to be true
As a man Joseph knew that he had not been with Mary. He knew biologically, Mary
could not be pregnant without having sexual relations with a man Mary. In his mind, the
human mind of a man brought up in the teachings or biology, science and logic, there was
only one answer. She had been with another man.
 

> And what God said was true
 

This event was not bound by the constraints of earthly, human knowledge of science and
biology. God has no boundaries and the birth of Jesus was omnipotent. Supernatural.
Beyond human comprehension. God sent an angel to assure Joseph. Before the dream,
there was doubt. Before obedience, there was internal wrestling.
 

“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.”
— Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
 

Joseph teaches every man a powerful truth:
Faith doesn’t mean the absence of questions — it means the courage to obey despite them.
 

A Father’s Responsibility Without Full Understanding
Joseph was not the biological father, yet God entrusted him with fatherhood. He protected a story
he struggled to believe. He carried a calling he didn’t ask for. He guarded a family formed
supernaturally. This was a tough time under tougher conditions physically and emotionally. Jesus
was born in an enclosure with farm animals. The town was full of people due to the mandatory
census which required everyone to come to the city to be accounted for. Resources were scarce
and there was no room at the inn. Mentally they had to struggle with the judgment of others in a
time of strict laws and customs. Mary was pregnant and not married. If Joseph struggled to
believe the virgin birth of Jesus at first, how do you think others judged them.
God honored Joseph, not because he understood immediately — but because he surrendered
completely.

 

Jesus — The Fulfillment
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel (which
means ‘God with us’).”
— Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
“She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger…”
— Luke 2:7 (NIV) Immanuel means God with us — even when life doesn’t make sens

e.
Reflection for Men
> Joseph wrestled privately so his family could stand publicly.
> Jesus entered the world humbly so men could walk confidently.
> God chose an ordinary man to carry an extraordinary assignment.
 

Closing Prayer
“Lord, teach me Joseph’s resolve, Jesus’ humility, and Your unwavering faithfulness. Make my
life a strong shelter for those You entrust to me, even when I don’t fully understand the plan.
Amen.”

 

Reflection Verses
> Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… acknowledge Him, and He   

   will make your paths straight.”
> Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge
    in Him.”
> Romans 12:1 – “Offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…”