Luke 1:18-24...Joseph's Understanding...

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
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. 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”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife

It is hard to imagine all of the thoughts that must have raced through Joseph’s mind when he found out that Mary was pregnant before their marriage and knowing that they had not been together. I am sure his head was spinning. According to the law at the time he could have easily dismissed her through divorce (even though they were not yet married, the law considered them as if they were, once they were betrothed). In the midst of these conflicting thoughts the angel of the Lord came to Joseph and explained to him that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that his name would be called Jesus. He is the Son of God, Emmanuel. With this news Joseph set forth to care for his family with a divine purpose and direction. Fathers of today, we need to listen to God’s direction for our lives and our families and devote ourselves to making sure they understand the love and compassion of Christ and that they know God. This is our highest calling. Like Joseph there is a purpose and a direction for each of us.

Blessings,
Alan B Conner