Advent prayer: Finding inspiration in Mary & Joseph’s faith

Advent Devotion: Faith & The Bethlehem Candle

On the second Sunday of Advent, many Christians say a special Advent prayer while lighting what is known as the Bethlehem candle on their wreath or display. This candle represents the journey of faith upon which Joseph and Mary embarked, not only to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem while Mary was pregnant, but also to carry out Lord’s plan to birth the Messiah. Let’s look closer at the faith expressed by Joseph and Mary as they took on this wonderful, God-given assignment.

When Mary received extraordinary news from the angel Gabriel that she would bear a son as a virgin, she may have initially worried that her whole community, including Joseph, would shun her and assume she had been unfaithful. However, Mary’s faith in the Lord allowed her to accept and embrace God’s word. According to Luke 1:38, Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word.” As you say an Advent prayer, consider Mary’s response, which you can utter in response to the Lord’s call on your life.

Fortunately, an angel also visited Joseph, who was considering quietly breaking their engagement on account of the pregnancy. The angel told Joseph about Mary’s immaculate conception, and in obedience, he chose to take Mary as his wife. This decision by Joseph also required faith in God since he may have feared reproach from family and neighbors who might believe their firstborn son was illegitimate.

Romans 10:17 applies here, as it says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Both Mary and Joseph received a word from God through angelic visitations, and due to this, their faith was made strong to embrace any difficulty ahead of them. These angels confirmed what had been prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son …” In hearing and knowing this word, Mary and Joseph’s faith was built up to take on the call of God, as they became the earthly parents of the Messiah.

Another way their faith was tested and strengthened? In facing the difficult trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Some scholars believe this arduous journey by foot and donkey could have stretched on for 90 miles—taking around 10 days— during Mary’s late-term pregnancy. Many dangers of travel existed in that day, such as encountering wild animals or extreme weather. They would also have to prepare meals, build fires, and set up camp along the way, yet their faith compelled them to keep going. As you say your Advent prayer this week, consider any difficulties in your life and how you might respond with faith and trust similar to that of Mary and Joseph.

Finally, upon arriving to Bethlehem, there was no room for the expectant couple at the inn. This could have occurred due to the census drawing so many people back into the town. Instead, they had to settle for a nearby stable for animals, which some scholars believe was likely just a lowly cave. This implies they had no relatives in town who could take them in, and it shows they had faith that God would provide a place for them once they arrived.

Take a minute to consider this treacherous journey of faith that Joseph and Mary embraced. It is easy for us to see their story from a 2,000-year vantage point, knowing it would work out in the end. However, they didn’t know exactly how God’s plan would unfold. Yes, angels had visited them to confirm the holiness of their mission, but they still had to walk it out day by day as they faced many troubles in faith.

Advent Lessons: Ramesh’s Story

As you say an Advent prayer, spend some time reflecting on how the members of the persecuted church might build their faith from the Bethlehem story.  Many of our dear brothers and sisters might experience condemnation from family, friends, or community members while obeying God’s commands. Like Mary and Joseph, their assignments from the Lord may not be fully understood by others. Some persecuted believers become displaced from their homes and must travel long distances by foot or animal, encountering difficult journeys along the way. The message of Mary and Joseph’s faith serves to strengthen our Christian family who are facing incredible persecution on a daily basis.

Let’s examine the parallels found in the story of Ramesh, one of our persecuted brothers in Nepal. Ramesh hails from a family of Hindu priests; however, after going overseas for studies, he became a Christian and embraced a new path of faith.  Ramesh said, “I had never met a Nepali Christian before. God called me back to Nepal. It was not the easiest … but I’ve never had any regret following Jesus.”

Upon returning home to his Hindu community, Ramesh quickly encountered opposition of every kind. “Mental persecution, physical persecution, social persecution, political persecution… I faced all that,” he shared. Like Joseph and Mary, Ramesh’s friends and community could not initially understand his assignment from God. In fact, his family demanded he undergo cleansing rituals to be rid of the “pollution” of his Christian faith.

Just as Mary and Joseph remained committed to their assignment from the Lord, trusting in His provision along their journey, Ramesh remained steadfast to preach the gospel to his Nepali community, which eventually led to the swift growth of the persecuted church! During your Advent prayer, we encourage you to praise the Lord for this harvest—and to consider what He can accomplish in your life, with time and the virtue of patience.

As Ramesh’s faith touched the lives of others, this drew the attention of the authorities. He was charged and arrested under false accusations for violating Nepal’s anti-conversion laws. Ramesh spent seven days in custody under intense interrogation and afterward endured a two-year legal battle, but through all this, his faith remained strong. He shared, “Persecution is part of the Christian calling. Jesus says, ‘People will persecute you.’ Persecution is not fun. But I am happy to talk about how God led me through it, because after, the persecution becomes joy …”

Despite Nepal’s Hindu majority and government opposition, Ramesh continues to share his faith in an effort to grow the Christian community. However, the need for more Bibles is critical. To build strong faith for new believers, Ramesh asserted, “Audio Bibles are very needed for the Christian to have to read … If people are persecuted, they can lose their faith. We need to make them strong thinkers, and they need to be rooted in the Word of God.” To learn more about Ramesh, visit the GCR blog.

Advent Prayer

We invite our readers to collectively pray the Advent prayer below, recognizing the importance of faith, the Bethlehem story, and the modern-day persecuted church. Please pray with us now:

Heavenly Father, thank You for this season of Advent to consider how Your servants Joseph and Mary set an incredible example of faith by embracing Your word given by the angels, despite any moments of hardship. Teach us to walk out our faith in You step by step, day by day, just as Joseph and Mary did on their journey to Bethlehem—and just as our brother Ramesh does today in Nepal.

May Romans 10:17 compel us to read and share the Word of God so that our faith, and the faith of the persecuted church, would be strengthened and sustained. Show us what we can learn from the trials of Joseph, Mary, and Ramesh during our personal faith journeys.

Contemplative Questions for Your Advent Prayer Time

Below are three discussion items that you can use as you say an Advent prayer during your personal prayer time or in fellowship with others.

• What is the connection between faith and the Word of God according to Romans 10:17?

• What are some lessons that I can learn from the trials of Joseph, Mary, and Ramesh?

• God, what are You showing me in this Advent season? Am I hearing and heeding Your Word?  How can I encourage others to hear Your Word?

About the author
Abigail Hart writes for Global Christian Relief, sharing the resilient stories of persecuted Christians all around the world. Read the latest Christian persecution stories on our website and learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.