The Promise of Christmas

Christmas is an amazing time of year. It’s one of the few remaining holidays when almost everyone’s attention is drawn to Jesus. People who rarely think about God or the things of God hear about wise men, shepherd, angels, and “the baby Jesus.”

Those of us who know Christ and are familiar with the gospel are reminded of the incarnation, the humbling of Christ to become human, and His birth to the virgin Mary. We are reminded that the humble birth of the king of the universe was a road leading to death and resurrection.

Mary and Joseph’s Path Toward the Future

We are reminded of Mary’s apparent betrayal of Joseph and the angelic intervention to stop the divorce. Philip Nation, writing in Bible Studies for Life, notes the uniqueness of life’s twists and turns we all face. “Like Joseph, our journey on God’s path will have many twists and turns…[but] He’s never caught unaware. In fact, He is orchestrating everything that happens in your life so that it will ultimately bring Him glory and illustrate His adventurous plan for you.”¹

Joseph’s plan changed several times. He planned to marry Mary. He planned to divorce Mary. But, with God’s guidance, he took Mary to be his wife and became the earthly dad of the Son of God.

After Jesus was born, the regional monarch, King Herod, sought to have Him killed. Joseph again had to change plans, taking his small family to Egypt to evade a slaughter. Upon returning, Joseph changed plans again, settling in Nazareth in Galilee instead of Judea.² Perhaps Joseph didn’t even know this decision would lead to a fulfillment of prophecy.

Following Jesus is Not Easy

Following Jesus is not always a straight path, though we often wish it were. Sometimes left, sometimes right, sometimes up, other times down, it sometimes seems only a very few steps are in the same direction!

Among the many stories of Christmas, Joseph’s experience may resonate with many of us. God’s plans are not always laid out for us from beginning to end. We cannot always see miles and miles down road. He knows, but we may not. What we learn from Joseph is the need to allow God to change our plans whenever He desires.

Scripture says, “A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in His way.”³ It takes faith to follow the steps God has established when those steps lead us into unexpected places.

Yet, God is Always Faithful

But, God is faithful to meet us in the places He leads us. The purpose for twists and turns in the road is not for God to lose us, but for us to trust Him. God’s plans always work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.⁴ Our faith and obedience glorifies God as He works in and through us.

Christmas is a reminder that the plans of God may not always make sense at first glance. But, in time as He works all things according to the purposes of His will, we are drawn ever closer to the experiences of God’s grace.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

¹– Bible Studies for Life, Storm Shelter, Philip Nation
²– Matthew 2:22-23
³– Psalm 37:23
⁴– Romans 8:28 (all scriptures Holman Christian Standard Bible)