Matthew 1:18-25 KJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he 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.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

How many stories of teen pregnancy do we hear and think will these two teens marry and stay together? Will these marry out of love or because of the child. Will these two marry only in hopes to be able to financial raise the child? There many reason teenagers should never have sex, never marry until they into their twenties. Main reason is finances, and another reason teens change alot from adolescents into adult years that their desires most likely will not be the same as they grow up together, beyond the roof over their head, and food in their belly. Some will chase the pot of gold and others just the comfort of stable life of work. Joseph was probably not a teen but he was just man. He probably not to old, but he old enough to not to be taken a full by some young girl having a baby, being told she was a virgin with child. And not just any child but a child of the Holy Ghost. Instead of marrying Mary he plan to put her away privately instead of making her a public example.

How would they know she was telling the truth that she was of the child of the Holy Spirit. If they followed the custom of the Temple when a woman was found to be pregnant and the husband doubted wither it was his, they would bring before the priesthood and make her drink a bitter herb, and if it did not kill her she was telling the truth. This is found in the old testament laws go and study and do some research if you doubt this custom. How much of the law was Israel falling at this time, with its reestablishment not sure. However Zacharias was a priest who could of verified the information for Mary by the Holy Spirit. Scripture does not say what Mary had to do before the Priesthood, or if she even went before the Priesthood. By tradition of the Jewish law this is what she would of gone through, as verification. The second verification is either divorce or remain with Joseph according to his will not hers. Yet in this case they were not married yet only bethrothe.

Joseph went to be that night thinking on the things told to him about this child Mary was carrying, and the fact that she was pregnant. I be honest, I wonder how God justified impregnanting a man's bethrothe. She was spoken for. Yet the pregnancy would not of sexual intercourse, and Joseph was not ordinary man who by Roman customs might of chosen to deflower her by now, but had not. He was waiting to take Mary has his bride when this occured, this event of Mary conceiving a child of the Holy Spirit. In the dream as Joseph was pondering the things concerning Mary, and angel came and spoke to him and told him to Fear not, but to take this woman to be his wife, for the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The child she brought forth was to be called Jesus and he would save their people from their sins. This is told so the fullfillment of the prophesy of the virgin birth would be shown to have come to pass.

Joseph when he awoke he did not doubt what to do next, or even thought anymore on putting her away quickly but took her to be his bride and did not have sex/knew her until after the baby was born. Unusual birth and unusual situation for the man to be asked to care fo the child of God. This story alone might raise eye brows, but in reality Mary life became in the hands of the man that said I will wed her anyway and do as the Lord directs him to do.

As the Christmas story continues we can not help but think of how two innocent lives would be changed by the child they would raise together as man and wife. This child not of Joseph but of the Holy Ghost. A child conceived by the word and will of God. How many men would of abandoned Mary, and how many would of obeyed if it had been them. I can not imagine the story that Joseph told when working of Mary's first born son, or about their choice to marry despite Mary was pregnant when they did. It would of been known by her people and no doubt some of his if not all of them. Yet despite it all God's word back the story of the Virgin conception and birth. Let us hold to the prophesy and the word of God that came to pass. Though the story in this chapter ends with Jesus being born, we continue the journey of Mary and Joseph where Mary had the baby Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, in trying events occur in our life, help us to hold to your word and the truth with in it. To hold your prophesy of Old told the story of what was to come at the time of Mary and Joseph. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Isaiah 9:6 KJV
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.