What Was Joseph Thinking?

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

23 “Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth, her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

No Room

No Room / Have You Any Room for Jesus?

Seeking Lodging in Bethlehem
Joseph Seeks Lodging in Bethlehem by James Tissot, 1886-1894, (Brooklyn Museum)


No room
Only a manger of hay
No room
He is a Stranger today
No room
Here is His world turned away
No room
No room

Angels in heaven up yonder
Watch with amazement and wonder
To see the SON of the HIGHEST treated so

No room
Here in the hearts of mankind
No room
No cheery welcome to find
No room
Surely the world is blind
No room
No room

John Peterson, 1958, 1967

Have you any room for Jesus,
He Who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission,
Sinner, won’t you let Him in?

Room for Jesus, King of glory!
Hasten now His word obey.
Swing your heart’s door widely open,
Bid Him enter while you may.

Room for Jesus, King of glory!
Hasten now His word obey.
Swing your hearts door widely open,
Bid Him enter while you may.
Bid Him enter while you may.


Words by: Unknown; Music by: C.C. Williams

The Census Decree

The Census at the Birth of Jesus
Attribution to the Brooklyn Museum / FreeBibleimages.org

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were competed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Now the birth of Jesus was as follows:

The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Attribution to http://www.LumoProject.com via FreeBibleimages.org

After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to maker her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of he Holy Spirit. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

(Matthew 1:18-25)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.