My boys have started celebrating Christmas with our tradition of opening a gift a day, two more days until Christmas. Two more days until we celebrate the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please do not lose focus of the incarnation of The Son of God during this Christmas season. The incarnation of Jesus is just as important to His deity as His death, burial, resurrection, and accession to the Father. If any of those events are dismissed from the life of Jesus, you have denied the deity of Christ. With that being said, I want to thank the Lord this morning for the character of Joseph. That he was “a just man, and not willing to make her (Mary) a publick example, was minded to put her away privity” (Matt. 1:19). Joseph and Mary’s engagement was final as if they were already married; the document was as binding as a marriage license. Joseph had all rights to put her away publicly, with open shame, or he could put her away privately and spare her some immediate public shame; but Joseph was a “just man.” Joseph was one who had to endure the talk, the finger-pointing, the open shame. Either folk believed the story that Jesus was virgin-born of the Holy Ghost or called Joseph a liar. “But while he (Joseph) thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (v.20). I not only want to thank Joseph for being a just man, but also an obedient servant. God spoke to Joseph through an angel in a dream, and because of that, he would rather be obedient to God and continue with his plans and engagement to Mary. But understand he will endure the people’s criticism, but the joy of being used by God to bring God’s Only Begotten Son into the World was stronger than the fear of criticism. Would you help me take the time and thank God for the character of Joseph? Strong godly character in the face of criticism is not something we often find anymore. People have many avenues to spread lies; however, if you stand with God, I promise you based on His Word, He will stand with you. Father, we thank you this morning for the involvement Joseph had in supporting Mary during her Virgin birth and bringing your Son into the world that He would eventually die for our sins. I pray blessings upon our readers this morning! Be Blessed in Jesus Name!