In this understated account, we read how Joseph went to Bethlehem, ‘to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child’ (v.5).

It can’t have looked good. Joseph knew that Mary had not been unfaithful. However, he must have known that to everyone else around, it looked as if she had. The temptation must have been to dissociate himself from her (the account found in Matthew 1:19 even says he considered divorcing her quietly until an angel of the Lord spoke to him).

However, he was utterly faithful to God’s calling and to Mary, no matter how it looked from the outside.

Question: What has God asked you to be faithful to?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to me in Christ Jesus. Thank you that you give me hope, joy, freedom and purpose. Help me to be faithful to the things you’ve asked me to do.