Wednesday, December 18, 2024

 Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:11-19; Eph 6:10-20; Mt 1:18-25

Many Christian churches around the world put on a Christmas pageant in December. The usual characters are all there: Mary, the Angel, baby Jesus, the Innkeeper, the Shepherds, the Kings…and, oh yes, Joseph. Often Mary is portrayed as holy, the blessed mother of God. Sometimes Joseph is just the guy leading the donkey. He doesn’t have any lines and stands in the back.
 
In today’s reading from Matthew, we learn a bit more about Joseph and how important he is to Jesus’s arrival on Earth.
 
Joseph’s life changed in one conversation; his life changed because he was told by his future wife that she was pregnant. He thought that he couldn’t be associated with her, but he decided to do the honourable thing and divorce her. Even though it was a difficult decision, an angel told him to marry her because she was carrying the Saviour of humanity.
 
Even though Joseph was scared, he trusted in God. Because Joseph was an honourable man, he married Mary. This fulfilled the prophecy in Jeremiah that a Branch would spring from David’s line. It was through Joseph that Jesus was from the line of David.
 
Sometimes, as humans, we must make a hard decision and sometimes you have to rely on God to make that decision. When we listen to God, the right decision becomes clear. Joseph listened to God, even when it was difficult, and his son grew up to save us from our sins.
 
On Sunday, when you are sitting in church and looking at the crèche, think about how Joseph trusted in God…he’s not just the guy leading the donkey.

by Rory Ball

 
"Joseph's Song"  Michael Card

 

 

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