The Advent Calendar - Pt. 18

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, 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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25 ESV).

 

Like Mary, Joseph had a visit from an angel. Like Mary, Joseph obeyed the angel’s message. And, like Mary, his life was turned upside down.

Joseph’s life was that of a village craftsman. Income wasn’t always certain; business could be precarious. Joseph didn’t need adventures and long-distance trips; he needed a good steady stream of work. He needed a simple life.

 

But as Joseph followed God’s direction, the adventures began. First he had to endure disapproving looks and remarks from neighbors and family members over the scandal of Mary’s pregnancy. Then there was the trip to Bethlehem, never easy but certainly made more difficult as Mary was about to give birth. And because they had no place to stay, she gave birth to baby Jesus in a stable. Then shepherds came telling about a visit by angels, and, later, astrologers from foreign lands came to honor Jesus as a new king. Then Joseph had to run with Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s slaughter of baby boys (cf. Matthew 2).

 

We know so little from the Scripture about Joseph. However, our reading reveals one principle point of character. Matthew says he was “a just man” (v. 19). That seems like such a brief summary of this man who did enter into this adventure with all of his heart. We do know from other indirect passages that Joseph and Mary had many more years together. They had other children and held some esteem in the community of Nazareth, even though there still remain the gossip of Jesus’ origin. The real key for us is in the willingness Jospeh showed to simply follow the Lord. When Jesus enters our life, we should expect things to be different. Our lives can be turned upside down as he takes us on adventures, ­especially on the biggest adventure of all: life with him in the kingdom of God. Follow Him and enjoy the ride of your life!