What Joseph Can Teach Us About Biblical Manhood – The Gospel Coalition Blog

Like many other pastors, I recently began our annual "journey toward Bethlehem" by preaching from Matthew 1:18-25. During my study I began to notice some exciting—and somewhat unexpected—landmarks in the life of Joseph, each relating to the subject of biblical manhood.

As the heading in any of our Bibles will tell us, this story is clearly about the birth of Christ, not biblical manhood. However, just because the birth of Jesus is the "main point" doesn't mean it's the only point. I don't believe we should shy away from making the other points so long as we're faithful to expound the main one.
In this article I want to share five lessons we can learn from Joseph's life about what it means to be a godly man.

1. Godly men care about God's Word.

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What Joseph Can Teach Us About Biblical Manhood – The Gospel Coalition Blog

The Star of Bethlehem from a Christian View - Probe Ministries

Dr. Bohlin looks at the familiar story of the star of Bethlehem and provides several possible ways that God created this sign announcing the birth of the Christ. From a Christian worldview perspective, we know a bright light in the sky was able to lead the magi to the Christ child. Dr. Bohlin considers several ways God may have chosen to announce the coming of the Christ.

The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem

O, Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
This familiar and haunting chorus from the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are," introduces us to what seems to be the only ubiquitous biblical symbol during the Christmas season, the star of Bethlehem.

MORE: The Star of Bethlehem from a Christian View - Probe Ministries

The Gospel According to Christmas Carols | the Cripplegate

It’s that time of year. Turn on the radio, take a trip to the mall, or simply stroll down the aisles of the local grocery store, and you’re likely to hear songs about Jesus’ birth playing in the background. Though we call them “Christmas carols,” they are really just Christian hymns celebrating the incarnation of our Lord and Savior. For a few weeks each December, these profound songs of worship become a ubiquitous part of the holiday atmosphere. And our society’s pervasive interest in them provides us with a unique opportunity to share the gospel. After all, it’s the perfect time to explain the meaning of these songs to those who don’t know Christ.
MORE: The Gospel According to Christmas Carols | the Cripplegate

Christmas Bible Quiz: 20 Good Questions

How well do you think you know the Christmas story? Here are some Christmas Bible quiz questions for you to think about. Many of these are basic knowledge questions, but some of them will make you dig to see if my answer really is right.

Are you ready?Questions:

Joseph and Mary

1 Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?

MORE:  Christmas Bible Quiz: 20 Good Questions

Pyromaniacs: The Christmas Story

The Christmas story doesn't really start with wise men nor shepherds. It does not begin with Gabriel's announcement to the young virgin, nor his earlier word to old Zechariah.

Its real origins lie far back in the days of eternity. Infinitely intelligent, wise and powerful beyond all imagining, the triune God conceived the entire plan that hinges on Christmas before He had lit a single star or spun a single planet. Never caught by surprise, God's masterful and intricate plan repeatedly surfaces throughout the pages documenting the thousands of years of Old Testament history and prophecy.
Pyromaniacs: The Christmas Story

Rescuing the Rupps: A Christmas Parable | the Cripplegate

One balmy Summer day in 1997 Rita Rupp (57) from Tulsa Oklahoma, was on a lengthy road trip with her husband Floyd (67). For no reason in particular, she began to sense that they may be in danger. She started thinking, ‘What if someone hijacks our car and kidnaps us? No one even realize we’re missing for days, and no one would come looking for us.’ So she hatched a plan.
Rita wrote a note, just in case she got kidnapped. She scrawled the note in appropriately distressed handwriting, “Help I’ve been kidnapped. Call the Highway Patrol.” She also supplied her name and a helpful description of the van they were driving.
Rescuing the Rupps: A Christmas Parable | the Cripplegate

Sentimentalizing, Sanitizing, and Spiritualizing Christmas | Worship Matters

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to overstate the significance of the Incarnation.
Writers, philosophers, poets, and composers through the centuries have searched in vain for words that adequately capture the wonder, mystery, beauty, and power of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us.
The miracle and meaning of the Incarnation can be so difficult to grasp that we can give up and start to view Christmas in ways that leave us impoverished and unimpressed with the real story. Even in the church our songs and reflections about about Christmas can fail to leave people gasping in amazement or humbled in awe that God would come to dwell among us.
MORE: Sentimentalizing, Sanitizing, and Spiritualizing Christmas | Worship Matters

How Pornography Works: It Hijacks the Male Brain – AlbertMohler.com

We are fast becoming a pornographic society. Over the course of the last decade, explicitly sexual images have crept into advertising, marketing, and virtually every niche of American life. This ambient pornography is now almost everywhere, from the local shopping mall to prime-time television.
By some estimations, the production and sale of explicit pornography now represents the seventh-largest industry in America. New videos and internet pages are produced each week, with the digital revolution bringing a host of new delivery systems. Every new digital platform becomes a marketing opportunity for the pornography industry. MORE:
How Pornography Works: It Hijacks the Male Brain – AlbertMohler.com

Amazon.com: The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth: Music

Amazon.com: The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth: Music

Michael Card
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper Daily Readings for Advent - Desiring God

Excerpt

“What I want most for Christmas this year is to join you (and many others) in seeing Christ in all his fullness and that we together be able to love what we see with a love far beyond our own half-hearted human capacities.”
(Download a free Advent Reading booklet. Readings begin on Dec. 1)
Good News of Great Joy by John Piper Daily Readings for Advent - Desiring God