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HOW JOSEPH LOVED MARY

"but before they came together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 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." -Matthew 1:18,19

Here he was "betrothed" (For all practical purposes, that's being legally married without the physical union.), and then she comes with this story that she was pregnant, not by another man, but by the Holy Spirit! Yeah, right? What was Joseph's reaction? Did he say, "How could you do this to me?" Did he get all offended? "He had a right to" you say. Perhaps, but love has nothing to do with rights. The Bible tells us that he was more concerned with Mary's well being than he was with his rights, or even his own hurt. He sought to protect her, and if there must be a divorce let it be done quietly so as not to humiliate her. You see, love is always otherly-minded. Love doesn't accuse, even when it's based in fact. "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Proverbs 10:12).

Joseph loved Mary by his protective actions. And this was all before the Angel appeared to him to tell him that Mary wasn't lying. The baby in her womb really was conceived by the Holy Spirit! And so, Joseph had the honor of parenting God's only Son. This Christmas season let us purpose in our own hearts not to take offense, not to accuse, but rather to protect and to minister the grace of God to one another, and see what miracle God can birth in each and every one of us this Christmas season.

Question for The Both of Us: Do you think I overlook offenses and cover you with love? Am I more concerned with your well being than I am with my own sense of being offended? Am I "otherly-minded?" How about some examples?

Prayer For The Both of Us: Lord help us to love as Joseph loved, not counting our sins against one another, but rather protecting and seeking the well being of one another. Help us to understand in our hearts that this is love.