Mary and Joseph – Household Words:

The Family of JESUS. John 1:29-31.

Being born in a stable allows the lowliest of people to know that Jesus understands their hut or dirt floor or jungle situation. And Jesus was rumored to be a bastard child—a heavy burden in most cultures. But Jesus was from a good family. Mary was a descendant of David’s son Solomon, and Joseph wasContinue reading “The Family of JESUS. John 1:29-31.”

PARENTING FAIL. Luke 2:44-52.

Every parent has them: moments of failure you wish you could get back. I’ve made mistakes. Still, there are fails I have not committed. For example, I have never lost one of my kids … like, you know, Mary and Joseph. The “Holy Family” lost Jesus! The Godly couple that was chosen to raise theContinue reading “PARENTING FAIL. Luke 2:44-52.”

PARENTING IS SACRIFICE. Luke 1:38; 2:35.

God uses children to make us less selfish. Because what can yank you out of your self-absorption faster than a fussy baby or a screaming child? All parents make sacrifices for their children. But God calls some parents to unusual and difficult sacrifices. Mary was engaged when the angel Gabriel showed up and said, “Hail,Continue reading “PARENTING IS SACRIFICE. Luke 1:38; 2:35.”

JESUS’S PARENTS. Matthew 2:13-14, 19-20.

Mary had a job, right? A HUGE job! The angel told the virgin she would bear the Messiah. She raised Jesus. It strikes me as an exaggeration when people call her “the Mother of God,” but she certainly belongs in the Mom’s HALL OF FAME. Joseph played a smaller role. He obeyed and wed MaryContinue reading “JESUS’S PARENTS. Matthew 2:13-14, 19-20.”