It has been our tradition on the Voice of Scouting to post inspiring Scout messages based on the Scout Law for twelve days leading up to Christmas Day. The seventh day of the 12 days of a Scout Christmas reminds us that a Scout is obedient.
The Christmas Story
Our story of obedience comes from the New Testament. We will explore a part of the Christmas Story from the book of Matthew.
Our story begins in Matthew chapter one. Before Jesus Christ was born, Joseph was faced with a couple important decisions that had major consequences.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
In those days, if a woman became pregnant by a man other than her husband, she could be put to death. How did Joseph feel when he found out that his espoused wife, Mary, a virgin, had been pregnant. Was he angry, sad, or discouraged? We don’t know, but what we do know is that Joseph had compassion on her.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
He didn’t want Mary to be publicly humiliated or condemned to death. Instead, he decided to end their marriage agreement in private. However, an angel intervened with his plans.
Matthew 1:20-21; 24
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Imagine how he must have felt knowing that his wife would bring the Son of God into the world? Ultimately, Joseph obeyed the angel and did not end his marriage agreement with Mary. Together they ventured to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
If Joseph had not been obedient to the angel, he would have missed out on the privilege of raising Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Later, after Jesus was born, the angel warned Joseph to depart out of Bethlehem.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Once again Joseph was obedient to the angel of the Lord. He took Mary and Jesus and they fled to Egypt. If he had not been obedient, then Jesus might have been killed.
Be Obedient like Joseph
We may never have an angelic visitation like Joseph did, but we can still be obedient like Joseph was. After all, it’s a commitment we make in the Scout Law — a Scout is obedient. We can be obedient to our parents, Scout leaders, and the laws of the land. When we are obedient, we can feel comfortable knowing that we are making the right decision.
For the next twelve days, visit the Voice of Scouting to find inspiring Christmas messages based on the twelve points of the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.