Matthew 1:18

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph….”

Luke 2:5

“He went there (Bethlehem) to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him…..”

A Pledge is a solemn vow. This ‘pledge’ was a bigger deal than a 21st-century engagement. The two families had an agreement, a contract, in which Mary was ‘pledged’ to Joseph. 

There was no ‘dating’ in Jewish culture. Fathers did much more than counsel their children about marriage. They carefully arranged who they would marry within the ‘faith community’ and then Dad and Mom guided them through this transition.

It is almost impossible for a young man in the 21st Century to consider this as an option, but two thousand years ago, Joseph ‘trusted and allowed’ his parents to do just that. 

Ultimately, Joseph ‘trusted and allowed’ Almighty God to choose his bride. The custom was different than it is now, but it was still a step of faith that God was Good and would Provide direction to his parents in this decision.  

Christmas Application: There are many things out of my control, but today I need to trust that God is Good and will provide His very best for me.