“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”
- Matthew 1:24 NIV
Christmas has a way of stirring our hearts. Lights go up, music fills the air, calendars fill to the margins, and before we know it the season meant to draw us closer to Christ can quietly pull us away from Him. It’s not always rebellion that derails our faith walk during Christmas—it’s distraction.
That’s where discipline comes in.
When I think about discipline at Christmas, my mind goes not to shepherds or wise men, but to Joseph.
Joseph doesn’t say much in Scripture. In fact, not a single word of his is recorded. Yet his life speaks loudly. Joseph was a man of quiet, steady, obedient discipline—and God trusted him with something priceless: the care of His Son.
Joseph’s Christmas was not convenient.
His plans were interrupted.
His reputation was threatened.
His future was uncertain.
Yet over and over again, Joseph did the disciplined thing—the obedient thing—the faithful thing.
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him…” - Matthew 1:24
No debate.
No delay.
No excuses.
That’s discipline in a faith walk.
Joseph disciplined his ears to hear God’s voice in a dream.
He disciplined his will to obey even when it didn’t make sense.
He disciplined his steps—traveling to Bethlehem, fleeing to Egypt, returning when told.
Each step was guided by God, and each step required trust and follow-through.
Discipline in our faith is rarely flashy. It’s getting up and opening God’s Word when we’d rather stay in bed.
It’s choosing prayer over panic.
It’s worshiping when life feels messy.
It’s protecting time with Jesus in a season that competes fiercely for our attention.
Joseph teaches us that faithfulness isn’t about understanding everything—it’s about obeying the next thing.
This Christmas, discipline may mean saying “no” to some good things so we can say “yes” to the best thing.
It may mean slowing down long enough to remember why we celebrate.
It may mean guarding your heart from stress, comparison, or busyness and anchoring it in Christ.
Joseph didn’t get headlines.
He didn’t get applause.
But heaven noticed.
And because of his disciplined obedience, Jesus was protected, provided for, and raised in a home marked by faithfulness.
As we walk through this Christmas season, may we follow Joseph’s example. May we be disciplined in our devotion, steady in our obedience, and faithful in the quiet places.
Because when we are disciplined in our walk, God does extraordinary things through ordinary faithfulness.
And that’s a Christmas lesson worth carrying all year long.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
