Before the month of December I decided I would read through Matthew, if not also Mark, Luke and John, as well as the "Mary" story by Francine Rivers. This season I have started thinking about a different side of the "Christmas" story- one I'd never though of before. An adoption story.
Maybe, like me, you have never given this much thought, but have you ever thought of how Jesus had an adoptive father?
God could have chosen a virgin not engaged-to-be-married as Jesus' mother. But, He didn't. He wanted a complete family for his Son born into the world. And while I'm not a biblical scholar and there are likely other reasons that fit with those times and laws, He also wanted His Son to be raised by a Mother and a Father figure (a Mother and a Father). And, although God is Jesus' actual Father, He chose for Joseph to be the appointed earthly father.
What a task, what a responsibility- for both Joseph and Mary!
Mary was chosen as a servant who had "found favor" with God. Joseph was chosen because he was obedient.
Like all things God-orchestrated, they were destined to be married one day, just as they were destined to be the earthly parents of God's Son. To birth him, to raise him, to look after him and meet his most basic needs. What a charge Joseph was given, and all because God saw something in him that He didn't see in others. God didn't choose the smartest man in town, the wealthiest or the most religious from the synagogue. He chose Joseph, a humble carpenter, as one who would teach Jesus not only the basic living skills to take care of his family after he died, but also the humility and obedience of one who worshiped the Lord daily and with reverence. From the little we know of his character, the verses suggest that he was a compassionate man and had a heart for the good as God intended. I think there's something commendable in this adoption story of Joseph. Without hesitation or question, he took care of the son entailed to him. Not of his own flesh, his own seed. It was his first son, and should have been his right to have a son birthed by he and his wife as they started their life out together. But, ungrudging and with love, he fathered the earthly, yet heavenly child brought into his life.
There's so many things not written. So much room for our own speculation and questions, though we can catch glimpses into Joseph's care and love. I would love to know more about this adoption story. Did Jesus resemble his parents? When Jesus was born, did Joseph look at him like his own, or was he filled with awe at being the parent of this Savior-come-down? Did Joseph treat him the same as his other children? Did they have deep conversations, or simply work side-by-side with a silent unspoken knowing? Did they go fishing together? Go on walks? Did they celebrate Jesus' birthday as a family every year?
Today there are millions of children around the world without a mother and a father. What devastation. Imagine that you were a child without parents. Without someone to cuddle you, to take care of you when you were sick, to put the Band-aid on the wound, the kiss on the forehead before bed, to teach you your ABC's...
There are so many children across the world living in both third-world, dirty and deprived situations but also parent-less and /or abandoned.
In the heart of every child is the desire to be loved, to be cherished and to be wanted.
This Christmas would you think of even one of these children? Have you ever thought of adoption? Maybe adoption isn't for your family, but you could sponsor a child or contribute to the financial needs of an orphanage, or send clothing or food to an institution or home.
My title suggests two adoption stories.
The second is that of God's adoption of us.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. -Ephesians 1:3-10
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus... -1 Timothy 2:5
"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” -Jesus
It's the adoption into God's family, an eternally lasting and living family, and there's an invite for all, and a choice to be made by each.
Here's a sweet and touching video of a family predestined to adopt these three siblings from west Africa and the moment of their at-last being joined together. Enjoy!
