Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth. He was promised in marriage to Mary. Soon they would become husband and wife.
But before they came together, Joseph learned that Mary was going to have a baby. The news troubled him deeply. Joseph knew the child was not his, and he did not yet understand what God was doing.
Joseph was a righteous man. He wanted to do what was right, but he did not want Mary to be publicly shamed. So he decided to end their engagement quietly. Even in his sadness and confusion, Joseph chose mercy.
As Joseph thought about these things, he fell asleep. While he slept, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,” the angel said. “The child growing inside her is from the Holy Spirit.”
Joseph listened. God knew his fear. God knew his questions. And God had sent this message so Joseph would understand what to do.
The angel told Joseph that Mary would give birth to a son. Joseph was to give the baby a special name: Jesus. That name mattered because Jesus would save his people from their sins.
Long before this night, God had spoken through a prophet. A virgin would have a son, and he would be called Immanuel. The name Immanuel means “God with us.” Mary’s child was the promised one. God was coming near to his people.
Then the dream ended.
When Joseph woke, he remembered the angel’s words. He did not turn away from Mary. He did not let fear keep him from obeying God. Joseph did exactly what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do: he took Mary as his wife.
Joseph cared for Mary while they waited for the baby to be born. When her son was born, Joseph gave him the name the angel had chosen.
He called him Jesus.
Joseph had not understood everything at first. Yet when God showed him the way, Joseph trusted him. He chose kindness when he was hurting. He chose courage when he was afraid. And he welcomed Mary and the child God had sent.
That child was Jesus, the Savior. He was Immanuel—God with us.
What kids learn
- We can obey God even when we do not understand everything.
- Mercy means treating others kindly when we feel hurt or confused.
- Jesus is Immanuel, which means God is with us.
Memory verse
“She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21
Talk about it together
- What feelings might Joseph have had when he learned that Mary was expecting a baby?
- How did Joseph show mercy toward Mary before the angel appeared?
- How did Joseph respond after he woke from his dream?
- How does knowing that Jesus is Immanuel help you remember that God is near?
People and places in this story
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