12/7/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Seven

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree. This is a site that I like: HERE

Joy of Christmas: Day Seven

Joseph's Coat

Joseph is a familiar character in the Bible.  Mostly because so many bad things happened to him!  My five-year-old and I just finished studying the life of Joseph in his Bible lessons for school.  He is also going with my mother to a Good News Club held after school nearby.  They go every Wednesday, which gives this Momma a break!  They have been studying the life of Joseph as well. 

Other than Abraham, Joseph is the most written about character in Genesis.  So many things happen, all because of a coat.  Joseph's father, Jacob, gives him a coat of many colors - signifying royalty and importance.  Joseph's ten older brothers do not take kindly to the gesture.  After being sold into slavery, lied about, imprisoned, and forgotten, Joseph finally arises as the second in command in Egypt.  When his brothers are confronted with who he has become, they worry the Joseph will take revenge.  Instead, Joseph says what we all wish we might say in such a situation:

Genesis 50:19-20
"Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.'"

God used seemingly bad circumstances to bring about the salvation of the children of Israel.  God was preserving the linage of Christ. God still uses our circumstances to teach and mold us.  He does allow bad things to happen.  We live in a sin-filled world.  I cannot pretend to have the answer to all of life's questions concerning evil.  I can point you to God.  The same God who allowed Joseph to endure trials for the good of the family, still allows us to endure trials for our own good.  Find the joy, knowing that through it all, God never left Joseph.  God will never leave you.

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