Monday: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Were Joseph, Mary and Jesus “poor in spirit”? No, the bible makes it clear that they were rich in their spirits:
Mary: But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
Joseph: 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.
Jesus: 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.
But to the outside world, they looked bankrupt: He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Mary is pregnant – she and Joseph are not married.
They can’t find any place that would take them in to have a baby
All three were good people, and did what was pleasing to God.
But to the outside world, they looked bankrupt: He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Mary is pregnant – she and Joseph are not married.
They can’t find any place that would take them in to have a baby
Jesus is born in a cave with animals - unclean in that culture
From the outside they looked really immoral. So God starts them out with the appearance of being “poor in spirit”. Most likely, the family lived with the stigma of this for the rest of their lives.
God, thank you for faithful people like Mary and Joseph. They were willing to trade their reputations to do the good you asked them to do. I hope I can follow their example.
From the outside they looked really immoral. So God starts them out with the appearance of being “poor in spirit”. Most likely, the family lived with the stigma of this for the rest of their lives.
God, thank you for faithful people like Mary and Joseph. They were willing to trade their reputations to do the good you asked them to do. I hope I can follow their example.
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