Gift Exchange

Joseph had a vision for his life in mind and Mary being pregnant, not from him, was not part of that vision. He was not ready to exchange his vision for what he pictured to be a lesser version. He also wasn’t ready to exchange Mary’s reputation for his own personal justification.  In the classic game show, “Let’s Make a Deal” they would often ask audience members to exchange what they know for a mystery box in which they do not know the contents. When the angel went to Joseph he was asking him to accept an exchange he would have to have faith to move forward. An exchange for a life he was not prepared for. A life where his first child was not his own. A life that would lead to more questions than answers.  As the angel presented this exchange to Joseph he was told the major plan and vision for this child. “...he will save his people from their sins.” An exchange of life for life. Joseph isn’t told how this exchange and saving would occur. He isn’t told of the price of death and betrayal. Jesus’ birth was the beginning of a life that would be exchanged to save the world from their sins.