We often hear the Christmas story as a perfectly scripted plan God wove through Scripture, a moment in history where every detail aligned to reveal His love for a broken world. But Mary and Joseph didn’t see the whole plan; they only saw the next uncertain step. These two ordinary people found themselves swept into an extraordinary story, navigating confusing turns, unexpected announcements, and radical changes in direction, learning to trust that Immanuel, God with us, was guiding them even when nothing made sense. And their journey matters because it mirrors our own. We too face uncertainty, we too long to know the plan, and we too worry about the steps we cannot see. This Christmas, we'll step into their story - not one where we must figure out everything ahead of time - but one where the God who entered the world walks with us in every moment, offering comfort, clarity, and confidence that come not from knowing the whole journey, but from knowing the One who guides it.

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

For Adult Homes and Groups

This week, take time to read Luke 1:26–38 and Matthew 1:18–25, letting Mary and Joseph’s journey of trust speak into your own.

1. Where in your life do you most relate to Mary and Joseph, who trusted God with only the next visible step?

2. How does the promise of Immanuel, God with us, reshape the way you respond to uncertainty or fear?

3. What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to take a faithful next step, even without knowing the whole plan?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25 together. Share about a time when something surprising happened in your family that turned out to be a blessing.

2. How would you feel if an angel appeared to you with a life-changing assignment? What comforts you when you are scared?

3. In Matthew’s Gospel, when Joseph heard the angel, what did the angel command him to do? How did God use this unexpected situation with Mary to fulfill His promise?

4. What does it mean to you that “God is with us” in our unexpected circumstances?

5. Pray, “Father, thank You for the unexpected path You laid out for Joseph and Mary, which led to our salvation in Jesus. Help us to trust Your plan when ours is interrupted, to have faith like Joseph’s when we don’t understand, and to have the courage to obey when it’s hard. Fill our family with peace and hope through You. Amen.”