Mary and Joseph: Faithfulness That Changed Everything

Devotional

Day 1: God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary work.

Mary was an engaged young woman from a boring little town, going about normal life when God showed up and invited her into something enormous; this reminds the reader that God often picks ordinary people with ordinary titles to carry out his purposes. The significance of a title is not status but responsibility, and being chosen does not remove the daily realities and risks one faces. Remember that God does not waste roles — where you already live and serve can be the very place he writes his story through you. [32:50]

Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Reflection: What ordinary title or role do you currently carry (neighbor, coworker, barista, coach, parent)? Name one practical, measurable step you will take this week to step into that role with openness to how God might use it for his purposes.

Day 2: Faith requires trusting God amid scandal.

Mary’s initial response to Gabriel was fear and legitimate worry about what others would think, highlighting how following God can look scandalous or unbelievable to the culture around us. Trusting God sometimes means accepting social cost and stepping into the unknown because God’s word is true even when circumstances make no sense. Being faithful in those moments means holding to God’s promise more than public opinion. [35:54]

Luke 1:29-34 (NIV)
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Reflection: Where in your life would following God’s call risk misunderstanding, gossip, or personal cost? Identify one concrete, low-risk action you can take this week that demonstrates trust in God’s word despite that risk.

Day 3: Praise recognizes God's mercy and mighty acts.

Mary’s Magnificat models how faithful people respond to God’s interruption — not by taking credit but by magnifying God, rejoicing that he remembers the lowly and fulfills his promises. Praise becomes the posture that frames scandal and hardship into the bigger story of God’s mercy across generations. When faith is tested, thanksgiving and proclamation reorient the heart toward God’s faithfulness. [38:56]

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Reflection: Recall one recent situation where God showed you mercy or reversed circumstances for good; write one sentence of praise and then consider how that memory should change what you say about God to the next generation in your life.

Day 4: Obedience follows God's clarifying word to doubts.

Joseph demonstrates that faithfulness sometimes starts as a private, painful wrestling with the law, reputation, and love, until God speaks clearly and calls for obedience. His willingness to listen to the angel in a dream and then act shows how conviction and concrete instruction move a person from moral distress to faithful action. Obedience often looks like choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. [41:34]

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 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.”

Reflection: When you’ve wrestled privately with what’s right and what’s easy, who or what helps you discern God’s clarifying word? Identify one next step of obedience you will take this week that moves you from doubt toward faithful action.

Day 5: Faithfulness looks like sacrificial, obedient action.

Joseph’s waking and immediate obedience — taking Mary as his wife and protecting the child — shows that faithfulness is not just belief but concrete, sacrificial choices that protect and nurture others. Titles come with responsibilities; whether spouse, parent, employee, or neighbor, God calls for steady, sacrificial faithfulness in the daily details. When people faithfully live their roles, God’s purposes are advanced and lives are shaped for generations. [44:31]

Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Reflection: What title do you currently hold where sacrificial faithfulness would make the biggest kingdom impact (spouse, parent, boss, neighbor)? Choose one specific habit or action to practice this week that embodies faithful care for the people under that title.

Sermon Summary

Christmas invites us to look closely at the people God chose for the first Advent and ask why. Mary and Joseph were not famous or powerful. They were ordinary, rooted in a small town, with simple plans for a simple life. God interrupted those plans with a call that was costly, confusing, and, to everyone around them, unbelievable. After four centuries of silence, an angel spoke, and Mary received the news with fear and faith. She considered the social cost, the risk to her future with Joseph, and the suspicion of her neighbors—yet she said, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Joseph considered divorce, not out of anger, but out of integrity and compassion; then God spoke, and he obeyed with courage. Together they stepped into a story much bigger than themselves.

Their faithfulness shaped the environment where Jesus grew. The Son of God learned to walk, talk, read, pray, and work through the steady presence of a mother and a stepfather who honored God, honored one another, and did the next right thing day after day. Titles mattered—husband, wife, father, mother—but what mattered most was faithfulness in those roles. God did not choose them for their resume; he chose them because he could trust them to say yes when it would cost them, and to keep saying yes when it would keep costing them.

This is where the story meets our lives. Whatever titles we carry—spouse, parent, son or daughter, friend, employer, employee, neighbor—God is still asking for faithfulness. Faithfulness often looks small, often looks costly, and often looks misunderstood from the outside. But God does not waste roles. The ordinary obedience of ordinary people becomes the birthplace of extraordinary grace. Christmas is a reminder to be faithful, even when it’s difficult.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness over titles and status Titles can create distance or pride, but faithfulness closes the gap. God entrusts influence not to polish but to people willing to obey him when no one is watching. The goal isn’t to be impressive; it’s to be trustworthy in whatever name tag you wear today. [24:39]
2. Mary’s yes amid costly risk Mary’s surrender wasn’t naïve; it was thoughtful courage in the face of social loss and lifelong misunderstanding. She believed God’s word would not fail, even when her reputation might. True faith often begins where approval ends. [35:54]
3. Joseph’s integrity under pressure Joseph held law and love together—he planned to protect Mary from disgrace, then obeyed God when the call became clear. Integrity is costly because it asks us to act before outcomes are guaranteed. Obedience is not blind; it’s trust that God sees more than we do. [41:34]
4. Formation happens in ordinary faithfulness Jesus grew up in a home where Scripture was practiced, work was learned, and worship was normal. God often forms world-changing lives through unseen rhythms at the table, in the workshop, and on the road to worship. The extraordinary mission of God is often carried on the rails of ordinary days. [50:14]
5. Be faithful in your roles God does not waste your post—marriage, parenting, friendship, vocation are all altars where trust becomes witness. When life gets hard or unbelievable, faithfulness keeps the door open for God’s work to be seen. Ask: what is the next faithful step with the roles I’ve been given today? [57:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:39] - When the “pastor” label lands
[26:43] - Why Christmas: God’s bigger story
[29:47] - 400 years of silence and hope
[32:50] - Betrothal customs and Nazareth life
[35:54] - Gabriel’s announcement and Mary’s risk
[38:56] - Mary’s Magnificat: worship in upheaval
[41:34] - Joseph considers divorce quietly
[44:31] - Joseph obeys; birth in Bethlehem
[47:33] - Raising Jesus; Egypt and Joseph’s absence
[50:14] - Jesus’ humanity and home formation
[53:54] - Faithfulness in hard callings today
[56:13] - A father’s focus for his sons
[58:50] - Prayer, communion, and sending out

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (NIV)
- Luke 1:26–38
- Matthew 1:18–25
- Luke 2:51–52

Observation questions (3–4)

Read Luke 1:26–38. What words or phrases does Gabriel use to describe Mary and the child she will bear? How do those descriptions shape the meaning of the announcement?
Read Matthew 1:18–25. What actions does Joseph consider before the angel appears, and what do those actions reveal about his character and priorities?
Read Luke 2:51–52. Which areas of Jesus’ growth are named, and what does that suggest about how spiritual formation happens in a family setting?
Which titles in your life feel most weighty right now (spouse, parent, employer, neighbor, friend, etc.), and why? [26:43]

Interpretation questions (3–4) — phrased objectively

What does Mary’s reply “I am the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:38) indicate about how faith can accept costly and socially risky callings?
How does Joseph’s initial plan to divorce Mary quietly and then his immediate obedience when God speaks (Matthew 1:19–24) illustrate the relationship between justice, compassion, and obedience? [41:34]
In what ways does Luke 2:51–52 imply that ordinary family disciplines (obedience, remembering events, daily teaching) contribute to the development of wisdom and favor? [50:14]
How does the pattern of God choosing ordinary, faithful people rather than the famous reframe expectations about who is qualified to steward God’s work? [52:19]

Application questions (4–7) — specific and personal

Identify one role or title you carry right now (for example: spouse, parent, coworker, neighbor). What is the next concrete, faithful step you can take in that role this week? [57:38]
If responding “I am the Lord’s servant” required accepting a cost or social risk, what fears would hold you back? What is one small, practical step you can take toward trusting God in that area? [35:54]
When you face a situation that could harm someone’s reputation, will you act to protect the person or protect appearances? Describe one specific way you can practice Joseph-like integrity in the next 7 days. [41:34]
List one ordinary rhythm in your home (mealtime conversation, bedtime prayers, a weekend routine, work ethic, weekly worship) that forms faith. Which rhythm will you start, restore, or strengthen this month and how will you make that happen? [50:14]
Where are you tempted to treat a title as status rather than responsibility? What concrete change can you make to let that title become a platform for faithfulness instead of pride? [52:19]
Is God asking you to take a costly or “unbelievable” step (a move of reconciliation, a visible commitment, a public witness, a vocational change)? What is one realistic first action you can take this week to begin obeying despite fear? [53:54]

Notes for the group leader
- Begin with the Bible reading aloud, then spend time on observations before moving to interpretation and application.
- Encourage concrete examples and practical next steps rather than abstract answers.
- Keep the conversation compassionate: many of these questions touch on risk, family, and reputation.

Sermon Clips

You're kind of wondering Why are they As a part of this We see them In our nativity scenes We read about them In the story Whether you have A church background Or not You probably knowThere's a lot more people Than just Jesus At the Christmas story So why are there So many supporting roles That's kind of What we're looking at Because everything Is about Jesus In the Christmas story But there's so many people And God does not Waste roles When it comes To the people He used in the story [00:27:35] (25 seconds) #GodUsesAllRoles

This is a messy situation And here's what kind of Drives me crazy sometimes With the Christmas story Is it looks so nice Neat and pretty Like we see the nativity sceneIt's like Oh that looks so cool Look at baby Jesus Like hanging out In some hay Looks comfortable And you got Mary and Joseph She just gives birth And they're just like Smiling on Jesus And there's these wise men And shepherds Hanging out around them It looks great But no The story of the first Christmas Is one of the most crazy Dangerous Messed up situations The world has ever seen [00:36:45] (31 seconds) #RealChristmasIsMessy

And so Joseph Has this dream And this angel says Joseph it's all true What Mary said Isn't far fetched It's crazy It's from the Holy Spirit You're going to give this child The name of Jesus He is going to take The sins of the world away He's going to forgive The people of their sins And Joseph You should take Mary home As your wife still Because you're going to be The stepdad Of the son of GodAnd all the things That he thought Was going to happen For his future Were now changed forever [00:44:08] (29 seconds) #JosephAnsweredTheCall

This wasn't a nice Friendly fun birth The town was overcrowded They had nowhere to go And so they basically Were able to find space In someone's house And we look at it As like a stable But basically It's like an extension Of the houses Where the animals They had would come in For the night To stay warm And this is all The space they could find It's a space for animals And so Jesus was born He was placed in a manger Which is basicallyA stone kind of caved out Where animals could eat from Or drink from And that's where Jesus Was placed after he was born [00:45:39] (30 seconds) #BornInAHumblePlace

``Listen Jesus was God In the flesh You'll hear us Preach that Remind that Emphasize that Over and over But what's crazy Is Jesus was also Human And this is where Mary and Joseph Came in Jesus had to learn How to walk He had to learn How to talk The son of God Had to be potty trainedHe had to learn How to read And write Jesus had to learn How to work And we see in scripture That he took up His stepfather's skill Of being a carpenterJesus [00:49:43] (30 seconds) #JesusHumanAndDivine

So what's amazing Is he didn't Look at Mary and Joseph Like look at the amazing Skills they have As parents Look at all the knowledge They have as Jewish people Look at all Now he's like No I'm choosing Mary and Joseph Why I'm choosing them Is because they're faithful And that's what I need From the ones Who's going to raise The son of God So if you're a follower Of Jesus And your title is ChristianGod's asking For faithfulness You're called to be faithful No matter what Is going on No matter how hard Something is Or how even Unbelievable it is [00:52:48] (34 seconds) #FaithfulnessOverCredentials

going to get crazy Sometimes God's going to ask us To do difficult things God's going to ask us To do sometimes Unbelievable things And sometimes Those hard and unbelievable things People will look at us And go Why are you doing that That seems ridiculous But what God's saying Is be faithful To what I'm calling you To do Because the word of GodDoes not fail [00:53:26] (18 seconds) #FaithInTheUnbelievable

Because here we are Thousands of years laterWorshipping The stepson Of a Jewish carpenter And a young virgin woman Named Mary Because they were faithful To what God called them To do And that's what God Asks of you and me So think about In your own context As you leave here today What's it look like To be faithful With the roles God has given you [00:58:06] (27 seconds) #FaithfulInYourRole

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What ended the 400 years of silence?

How did Mary embody trust amid social risk?

How did Joseph model integrity and obedience?

Mary and Joseph: Faithfulness That Changed Everything

Devotional

Day 1: God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary work.

Day 2: Faith requires trusting God amid scandal.

Day 3: Praise recognizes God's mercy and mighty acts.

Day 4: Obedience follows God's clarifying word to doubts.

Day 5: Faithfulness looks like sacrificial, obedient action.

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Mary and Joseph: Faithfulness That Changed Everything

Share