Ephesians 2:5-6 “He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

During this season of Advent I look at Joseph while I ponder these verses.  Joseph has his betrothed Mary and much to his dismay she is found to be with child.  After a dream he received from God, he obeys the directions and keeps Mary as his wife.  He watched this baby grow in her belly and I cannot even fathom the questions and struggles he went through during those months.  He chose to adopt this baby as his own.  He raised Jesus and taught him everything he knew as his own son.  I wonder if he realized, somewhere deep inside him, that this boy, his boy was the Beloved that Paul writes about here.  From the beginning of time, the Christ was destined to break the barriers between God and his children.  Through his birth, life, death and resurrection we can come to the stable and celebrate the birth of our brother and Lord; our King and Savior.  This Christmas I kneel at the manger to gaze upon the one who brings me to God.  He is Emmanuel, God with us!  Amazing grace, indeed.

Lord,

You sent Jesus because you love us.  You know our needs and brokenness and Jesus willing came to heal and bind us to you forever.  Help us embrace the joy of Christmas like children because we are your children.  Through Christ, Amen.