| Memory verse | | | | You will call His name Jesus, for He shall save His |
| Matthew 1:21 | | | | people from their sins." |
| Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save His | | | | Joseph did just what the angel asked him to do. He |
| people from their sins. | | | | married Mary and brought her to live with him at his |
| The man who Mary was going to marry was called | | | | house. When the baby Jesus was born, Joseph took |
| Joseph. He was a carpenter by trade and a good | | | | care of the little boy and Mary. Joseph grew up in |
| man. Everyone liked him. He also came from the race | | | | Joseph's home, and everyone thought he was |
| of Abraham and was a descendant from the royal | | | | Joseph's son. |
| family of David. He loved Mary and was looking | | | | But the Bible is very careful to tell us that His real |
| forward to the day when they would be married and | | | | Father was God. Joseph was His appointed father |
| would be together living at his home. He like Mary, was | | | | here on earth to care for Him when He was little. This |
| also looking forward to the day that the Saviour would | | | | was part of God's preparation. |
| come and save them from their sins, as he loved God | | | | It was God who made all this wonderful preparation |
| and believed His promises. | | | | for the coming of His Son from Heaven. Why did He |
| Joseph had not seen the angel or heard his message | | | | come? To save His people from their sins. Who are |
| to Mary. When he heard about it and knew that Mary | | | | His people? Those who have realised that they need |
| was to be a mother, he was upset and troubled about | | | | a Saviour to save them from their sins, and have |
| it. He was even wondering if he should call off the | | | | come to Jesus trusting that He will do that for them. |
| wedding. | | | | Those who turn away from Jesus and believe they |
| But God sent an angel one night to help him | | | | do not need a Saviour, are not "His people," and so He |
| understand. When he had gone to sleep the angel | | | | can not help them. |
| appeared and said, "Joseph, don't be afraid to take | | | | If you have come to Jesus, believing that He took the |
| Mary as your wife, for the baby that is to come is the | | | | punishment for your sins, then He accepts you as one |
| Son of God. God is His Father. But He has given you a | | | | of "His people." When this is true you can count on Him |
| special responsibility to look after Mary and the baby. | | | | day by day to save you from your sinful ways. |