The Story Of Joseph And Mary In The Bible
The story of Joseph and Mary is a remarkable one that is recorded in the Bible. It is a story that has touched the hearts of many people over the years and has been a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world. This story is about two ordinary people who were chosen by God to carry out a divine plan that would change the course of human history forever.
Joseph and Mary's Background
Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth. He was a descendant of King David and was engaged to Mary, a young woman who lived in the same town. Mary was a virgin and had never been with a man before. One day, an angel appeared to Mary and told her that she had been chosen by God to give birth to a son who would be the savior of the world. Mary was amazed by this news but accepted it with faith in God's plan.
Joseph, on the other hand, was initially troubled by Mary's pregnancy. He knew that the child was not his and wondered what he should do. However, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained to him that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed the angel's instructions and took Mary as his wife.
The Birth of Jesus
When the time came for Mary to give birth, she and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to register for a census. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room for them at the inn, so they had to stay in a stable. It was there that Mary gave birth to Jesus, the son of God.
Visitors from Afar
After Jesus was born, three wise men from the east came to visit him. They had seen a star in the sky that they believed was a sign that the savior of the world had been born. The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus as a sign of their worship.
Escape to Egypt
After the wise men left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. Herod, the king of Judea, had heard about the birth of Jesus and was afraid that he would be overthrown by the new king. Herod ordered that all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under be killed. Joseph obeyed the angel's instructions and took his family to Egypt until it was safe to return.
Return to Nazareth
After Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take his family back to Israel. Joseph and his family returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up and became known as a carpenter like his father.
Conclusion
The story of Joseph and Mary is a powerful reminder of God's love and plan for humanity. It teaches us that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things and that faith and obedience are essential to fulfilling God's plan for our lives. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate symbol of God's love for us and the hope that we have for a better future. Let us remember this story and the message it brings as we celebrate the birth of Jesus each year.