2. THE NEGLECTED JOSEPH DAVIDSON

5. ‘Face The Facts’ Honestly, But With Compassion.

6. Matthew 1:18 tells us they were ‘…pledged [or betrothed] to be married…”, a year long, in-depth commitment, of great importance.

7. No, Joseph chooses an unconventional route, severing the relationship with Mary through divorce, doing it, the text notes: “…quietly…” (Matthew 1:19). Why? Because Matthew 1:19 tells us, that Joseph was a kind man, “…a righteous man…”– committed to doing the right thing in ‘any and all’ circumstances.

9. “If you are kind…people may cheat you. Be [kind] anyway…Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, [it’s] between you and God; it was never between you and them… anyway!” – Mother Teresa

10. Be Open To God’s Surprises, To Supernatural Information.

11. “… ‘Joseph son of David do not be afraid to take Mary…as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit…[And] when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel…had commanded him…” (Matthew 1:20; 24).

12. For God loves to surprise, disturbing our forgone conclusions, interrupting our established plans.

13. “I shall hear [the] word behind me, saying: “This is the way, walk in it,” [whether I’m attempting to] turn to the right, or the left.” Isaiah 30:21.

14. Grasp The Gospel Truth At The Heart Of Christ’s Coming

15. In spite of darkness, light can shine…a great light! (Isaiah 9:2).

16. In spite of violence, peace can prosper, along with good will toward men (Luke 2:14).

17. In spite of loneliness companionship can multiply, for God is with us, Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23).

18. “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus – because he will save his people from their sins….” (Matthew 1:21)

19. In spite of stalled life, self- absorbed life, salvation can come -- through the God who rescues -- powerfully -- in Jesus!

20. For through Jesus -- as prophet Isaiah reminds us -- our “…sin has been paid for -- [healed]…” (Isaiah 40:2) – thus “…every valley shall be raised up -- every mountain and hill made low -- the rough ground shall become level -- the rugged places a plain -- [for] the glory of the Lord [has been] revealed…” (Isaiah 40:4-5).

21. This Christmas, Jesus wants to swoop in and rescue us, saving the day! In the midst of our traffic jam, our life ‘out of control,’ Jesus wants to come and take control straightening things out.