Matthew 1:4 "An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

This week as we approach Christmas, I want to focus on “Leading As a Father” and speak to men as fathers.  Can you imagine the emotion and shock that Joseph must have felt when he heard these words from the angel of God?  Joseph was about to take on the awesome responsibility to be the earthly father of raising the only Son of God.  He was given the task and responsibility to be the father of God’s most precious gift ever given to us.  Our minds cannot fully grasp what he must have thought many times about this child as he grew up in his home.  Here he was providing earthly leadership and love to one and only Child of God.  I am sure that Joseph asked God for direction and guidance many times and was committed to be the best earthly father possible.  This leadership example and responsibility should speak to each of us. 

As a father today, we must remember the words of Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.”  Just as Joseph was given the role of raising Jesus here on earth, you are given the gift of children to lead and raise in the same way. If someone gave you a brand-new Rolls-Royce car, you would take special and committed care of it to see that it was given the best of care and love.  That would be an exaggerated picture of something valuable given to you but it pales in comparison to the valuable gift of children God gives us.  We have the same responsibility to raise our children as Joseph had for Jesus.  This Christmas, most of us will give gifts to our children but we should give them the gift of Jesus every day that we have parental influence.  I believe this is what Paul meant in I Corinthians 11:1 when he said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”   Children are God’s valuable gift to you and the greatest gift you can give them is the example of Christ in your life.  As your children grow and mature in your home, remember that one of the greatest gifts you can give them is the example of a Christian home.  Children are also God’s little spies who are watching your every move.  Make certain that your moves are Christ-centered and that love for them is often spelled, “time.”