In this holiday replay from last year, we see that Joseph faced a difficult choice -- the woman he loved was pregnant and the child was not his. What should he do? Though he likely felt betrayed, he chose a path that would spare Mary of any additional shame, even at great cost to himself. God gave Jesus parents who would raise Jesus in the path of true righteousness, a path of faith, mercy, and self-sacrificial love.

We will resume new devotionals in the new year that track with our congregational read-through of the New Testament.

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

Christmas Eve Services:

https://www.highrock.org/calendar/christmaseve2025

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Jesus was raised by two parents -- Joseph and Mary. Today we see some of the character that made Joseph a fitting parent for God the Son.

- However we picture Joseph's understanding of "righteousness", we see that he was willing to pay a high cost to spare Mary any additional shame. If you had to guess, why do you think Joseph might have made such a choice?

- And calling of God will involve sacrifice because it is a call to love something or someone more than we love ourselves. What or whom has God called you to love sacrificially?