When Life Throws a Curveball | Advent Devotional Day 24

Advent 2025 DevotionalCore | Peace
December 23, 2025
Written by Justin Alexander

Title: When Life Throws a Curveball

Scripture:


My Reflection

There is much to wonder about and discuss in the Nativity story, and so it’s understandable that there is rarely much focus on Joseph. While Mary receives her angelic visitation and consents to her role in salvation history, Joseph only discovers belatedly that his fiancée is pregnant. He would reasonably have felt angry and betrayed, made worse by the apparent deception of her outlandish story. Yet, instead of publicly accusing her of adultery, he calmly contemplates the situation, planning to end the betrothal discreetly to protect Mary from communal shame and even legal prosecution. Then Joseph receives his angelic vision and responds with faithfulness by proceeding with the marriage, despite his potential humiliation in Nazareth society when it became clear that his wife was already pregnant.

He faces more shocks ahead. As Mary nears the end of her pregnancy, they have to journey to Bethlehem to be cataloged by the occupying Roman military, and he needs to find a quick solution when there is no accommodation available. Later, he has another dream, warning him about the danger from Herod, and so he bravely uproots his family and becomes a refugee in Egypt. The last time we see him is when the family visits Jerusalem for a festival and Jesus disappears. They search for three terrifying days, eventually finding him in the Temple, where Joseph seems to let Mary do the scolding. Perhaps he was just relieved to find his enigmatic son.

Life often doesn’t go as we plan; something currently being experienced by many in our community who are facing difficult and unexpected challenges. Joseph repeatedly responded in peaceful and pragmatic ways to confusing and upsetting developments. Still, this didn’t mean that it was easy for him, or that the problems went away. There was probably still disapproving gossip in Nazareth; finding work to provide for the family in exile in Egypt would have been tough; trying to raise the Messiah as a carpenter might have been frustrating at times. Hopefully, his example is helpful as we try to find peace in our own relationships and life situations.

My Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for the quiet strength and faith of Joseph, who listened when You spoke in dreams and chose mercy over anger, trust over panic, obedience over pride. Teach us to follow his example—to act with courage when the path is unclear, to protect and uplift those in our care, and to live our faith not in words but in steadfast love, serving You in humility and hope.  Amen.

Reflection Question:

Christmas can be a stressful time and bring up tensions with families. If you are facing any of this, it might be helpful to consider ‘what Joseph would do in your situation?’

Sign up to receive the Advent Devotional here.