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Christmas Circumstances


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) 
          Neither Mary nor Joseph deserved that happened to them. On the one hand, they were sinners just like everyone else. On the other hand, God wasn’t putting them in a good place. Not only was Mary pregnant before she was married, and the baby’s father wasn’t even Joseph – not only would they have to live with the reputation of harlot and cuckold – but they would have to run from King Herod, live in a foreign land for several years. And they had to live with the knowledge that somehow, someday, He would save them from their sins. He would be the Messiah. God put both Mary and Joseph in a tough, tough place.
          Job had the same problem. God put him in a tough place, but those who spoke badly to him got scolded by God. As we look around, at Christmas or any other time, this is something we should consider. Are the people we see and believe to be in a bad place there because of something bad they’ve done, or because they’re not trying hard enough. At the same time, there were reasons God planned for Jesus to be born when, where, how, and to whom He did. 
          When we look at those who are in bad circumstances, we need to be careful and wise. Yes, we need to be loving and compassionate, too, but carefully, prayerfully, working with God instead of against Him.

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