Today's Bible reading is the first chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NASB

The first 17 verses trace the genealogy of the Jesus, beginning with Abraham. In the first verse Jesus is referred to as "the son of David" and "the son of Abraham". In the last 8 verses we find these wonderful truths. The virgin Mary is miraculously found to be "with child". We see the angelic announcement to Joseph that the child she is carrying is "of the Holy Spirit". I have never really taken much time to consider Joseph's response but I appreciate today's text that tells us that Joseph was concerned about Mary and he did not want to disgrace her. I think that tells us much about the man who was Jesus' earthly father. I also appreciate that he is described by the writer as a "righteous man".

Joseph is also said to have been obedient to the angelic message to take Mary as his wife. I was reminded of an incident that would take place sometime later (recorded in Matthew 2) when Joseph would again be spoken to by "an angel of the Lord" and told to take his son and his wife and flee to Egypt. Again, Joseph was obedient and the baby Jesus was kept safe from Herod's evil attempt to kill him as he ordered the murder of all male children 2 years of age and younger residing in and around Bethlehem. Yes, Mary had "found favor with God" and it is clearly God's hand that had orchestrated her engagement to a "righteous man", Joseph.
Greg