Imagine the shock and confusion that filled Joseph's heart when he discovered his betrothed

Mary was expecting a child, a child he knew wasn't his.

The situation was definitely scandalous.

But at the heart of the Christmas story lies an extraordinary act of faith. And on today's Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall invites

us to explore the questions that probably flooded Joseph's mind. Today's program is the first

one leading up to Christmas. Chuck titled his message with a question.

Joseph, did you know?

Beginning today, for two Sundays, we'll be focusing our attention on the holiday season.

During these Sundays, I will be preaching from

the new living translation, which is certainly a very reliable and readable, relevant

rendering of the scriptures true to the original text.

But if it sounds a little different, that's the reason.

I find that on this particular Sunday and the two that follow,

there often are people who have not normally come to church,

and it's a great time for us to help them understand the message and to realize

how it addresses the things of life that we all live with and deal with. Today I'll speak on

Joseph, did you know? Next Sunday will be on Jesus. What a gift. For the reading of God's

word, it is in Matthew chapter 1, the latter part of the chapter, verses 18 through 25.

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born.

His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.

But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin,

she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

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