What I’m listening to: White Christmas by Bing Crosby 

Wow! We are a week into our advent series! As always, if you’re new, be sure to check out my previous posts in the series. The first post also has some additional information about our Advent devotionals. Now let’s get started! 

 But after he had 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.”

                   Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV)

As Christians, we often recognize God’s love for us in the many blessings He bestows. Yesterday we talked about how God gives us four gifts, the first of which is the gift of  love. Today, we are going to be talking about the second gift, the gift of faith. Here, Joseph’s faith in the Lord keeps him from quietly divorcing Mary after he finds out she’s pregnant. It can be easy for us to not want to use our faith to believe that God knows best. We want to do the things we want, the way we want. However, God offers us this gift so that we may humble ourselves before Him and let Him guide our lives for the best. Joseph may have known the law, but God knew the way. 

Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you use the gift of faith to guide your path. Think of  something that you have been feeling stubborn about handing over to Him, and ask Him to use His wisdom to help you resolve it.