Matthew 1:18–23 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “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. ²¹ 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.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

How did Mary tell Joseph she was pregnant? Scripture does not tell us. It could not have been an easy conversation. And his reaction is understandable. Joseph received what seemed to be devastatingly bad news. Betrothal was to make sure this did not happen! So no one would fault him for his decision to divorce Mary.

But God sent an angel to straighten Joe out. He heard and now knows the truth. This was God’s doing, the keeping of His promise. What appeared to be bad news was actually the best news ever for the world. God’s promised Messiah was about to be born. While it was still not an easy thing to accept, that he would be raising a child not his own, this knowledge changed his attitude and His behavior.

Hearing God’s Word and having it applied to our lives is not always ready to hear.

“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20

But those words are needed. It may sound like bad news, and it would be if that was the entire message. But it is not. Because of the one who would be born to Mary and Joseph, we have certainty of forgiveness and everlasting life.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10–11

“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