Matthew 1:18-21 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’" (NASB)
It is Christmas Eve and the family is all at home, the football game is on and Sharon is in the kitchen preparing the soup we will share with family later this evening. It has become a tradition that following the evening candlelight service at church that we return here to a simple meal consisting of some kind of soup and various treats we and other family members provide. We’ll all remark how wonderful the soup is – and truthfully so because Sharon truly is a remarkable cook. Then we’ll settle in and watch “A Christmas Story” and hear those famous words, “You’ll shoot your eye out with that thing”. Great tradition; great memories. In the morning we’ll drag the kids out of bed (didn’t use to be that way) to see what “Santa” brought and eventually end up over at Sharon’s Mom’s to meet up with family again and have lunch. This is our Christmas routine, our tradition and it is both comfortable and satisfying after all these years.
But if that were the beginning and end of Christmas as I’m afraid it is for many it would be hollow indeed. In addition to the traditions of Christmas which look very similar to many in this country we put a focus on the essence and quite literally the essentials of the day. While there are many passages from Scripture that predict, depict and explain the event of Jesus’ birth, I have chosen to share this passage from Matthew’s gospel. In it we actually have an event that takes place prior to the arrival of Jesus so it is a prophecy of arrival albeit an immediate one.
Matthew records that, “Mary had been betrothed to Joseph”. In that day the betrothal was a sort of point of no return much more than an engagement today. To back out of the relationship before the actual marriage would have required a “Divorce”. That is significant when weighed against the news that was revealed to Joseph. Scriptures says that, “Before they came together she was found to be with child …” Now Joseph when presented with the news of his betrothed coming up pregnant would have certainly been within his rights to, “Divorce” her for the act of infidelity. But Joseph loved Mary and although deeply hurt by this news of her situation did not want to bring her shame by publicly divorcing her. “Being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, (he) planned to send her away secretly.”
What a standup guy Joseph was. He didn’t know what had happened. He just knew Mary had a baby in her womb and it wasn’t his.
As he was mulling all of this over the Lord sent a messenger to give him a clue. “Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife”. I’ll be honest, “Afraid” is not the emotion I might be feeling. Well, I suppose some fear might be involved because if he were to take Mary as his wife and claim the child as his own he would essentially be saying, "We didn’t wait; we jumped the gun during our engagement and did not wait until we were properly wed to consummate our marriage". So, fear could well have been an emotion on Joseph’s mind. But the angel went on, “For the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit”. WHAT?
Okay – so this reassurance from this messenger angel in Joseph’s dream tells him to chill out and not be afraid then gives the reason that the child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Wow! Would that calm you down? I’m not thinking I would be more calm after receiving this news. I’d be – freaking out!
So it is with that preamble that we come to the conclusion of the passage. With Joseph in a slumber being addressed by a messenger from heaven and presented with this incredible news about his betrothed the final and most significant information is shared. Stay with me here. Joseph is asleep, Scripture says he was approached in a dream by the angel and it is in this state that the communication of this news takes place. Asleep or not his heart had to be racing by the time this news of the Holy Spirit conceiving the child in Mary’s womb. Then and only then does the angel share, “She will bear a Son”. Okay Joseph might have stayed with him for this but then, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Well, we know Joseph remembered the name part because he got that right. But did he catch, “He will save His people from their sins”? Did he?
That is the significance of Christmas. I’m afraid with all the shock of the moment Joseph may have missed that essential part of the message delivered by the angel that night in his dream. In his shoes I’m convinced I would have. I’m equally convinced that many miss the significance of Christmas today. All blended in with the traditions with friends and family which are all wonderful things there is one and only one essential meaning of Christmas. “And you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”. AMEN!
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