“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. 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.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:20b-23
A thousand thought raced round and round inside my head.
"Why has this happened?" I whispered,
"Why did Mary betray me?"
The events of yesterday bewilder me.
Yesterday morning I was content with life.
Working with my carpenter's tools,
making and mending items as required.
Waiting until the day when Mary and I were to complete our betrothal
and become man and wife.
"I wish yesterday had never happened." I said bitterly
A voice in my head reminded me
that yesterday was not when the problem happened.
The previous day was merely when I found out
that my plans were in tatters.
"And now I face a future without Mary for she has clearly chosen another."
Joseph lay down on his bed and wept,
for the future which had been snatched from him.
Eventually exhaustion took over and I fell into a deep sleep.
In my dream I say Mary standing before me.
Her growing stomach distorting the clothing she wore.
He face was radient with joy.
A deep voice spoke to me
Joseph, son of David.
I have chosen you to fulfill and difficult mission.
The words Mary spoke to you are true.
Incredible as it may seem,
the child she carries is not from some act of human will.
Instead the child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Take Mary home to be your wife.
I am trusting you to be my son's father here on earth.
When he is born, you should give him the name, Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.
All this is to fulfil the scriptures."
When I awoke, my tears were gone
and, despite everything, I felt such peace.
"What and amazing dream," I reminded myself,
"Everything is going to be OK.
Mary has not let me down.
Our betrothal still stands
Mary has not chosen another.
It is just as she said,
part of God's plan for mankind
and we have been called to play our part in bringing this plan to fullfillment.
I should have listened,
but I was so shocked by her news.
It is not going to be easy
tongues will wag, and some will shun us.
But with God on our side,
together we CAN do this.
We can raise God's Son,
just as he wishes us to
Now, the most important thing for me to do is to apologise to Mary.
I hope she will accept my apology.
Why am I worrying?
I know Mary.
I know she has already forgiven me.
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