Immanuel

Willful obedience is what brings about the great things God has planned for us!
One willing woman, who agreed to do God's will.
One willing man, who risked slander and disgrace, agreed to do God's will.
One Savior born to take away the sins of the world!


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.  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.
  But after he 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 has said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will 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.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.
  Matthew 1:1-24 

I pray Daddy for the grace to be willingly obedient.  Thank you for choosing Mary and Joseph, two people who were willing to be part of something bigger than themselves...and for Jesus....the Light of the World!