Joseph, Please Tell Us

Angels, Shepherds, Mary, and the Magi typically command our attention in the Christmas Story. But tucked between the Lines stands a man not to be overlooked: Joseph. His compelling life lends itself to an intriguing 2020 interview.

Joseph,

What was it like to have an angel interrupt your sleep on multiple occasions?

Lacking the benefit of text messaging, when did you and Mary have occasion to share your separate angelic encounters?

Furthermore, how did you muster the courage to take Mary as your wife when the local rumor mill must have made you look immoral?

Describe for us the journey to Bethlehem. Without an SUV and Starbucks Christmas blend, what comfort did you offer to Mary as the two of you traveled from Nazareth?

Did you pray or did you panic when no Airbnb’s were available?

Without 911 to call, how did you respond when Mary made it clear that the Baby was on His way?

When Jesus was born, you actually were the world’s very first witness. Did you tell the shepherds this Baby was the One to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21, NIV)?

Joseph, what advice do you have to offer 21st century Believers about choosing to trust God?

Though the interview questions must be postponed until heaven, the life of this man robustly inspires us today. Two character qualities make him a mentor in his own right:

Joseph was righteous.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man … (Matthew 1:19, Berean Study Bible).

Joseph was obedient.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:20, 24, NIV).

Thus, righteous, obedient Joseph was prepared for his part in the birth of the Son of God.

A modern day mindset tells you and me that preparation depends ultimately on leadership courses, doctorate degrees, or sophisticated seminars. But hold on; the best life coaching for God’s readiness in our lives actually comes from the Holy Spirit, Who cultivates righteousness and motivates obedience within each of us as Christ followers.

Just like Joseph, you and I possess the opportunity today to pursue righteousness and invest in obedience. As we persevere in Living With Eternal Intentionality®, these choices may well lead us to our own Bethlehem. One thing for sure, God’s Spirit will make certain we are personally prepared for God’s Greater Story, whether we find ourselves at a soup kitchen or a kitchen sink, a classroom or a boardroom, a changing table or a checkout line.

Righteousness makes us qualified; obedience makes us ready. I like that, don’t you?

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

What further question would you like to ask Joseph?

How does his genealogy contribute to God’s plan of destiny for him?

What if Joseph refused to obey God’s instructions?

The Shepherds: Glory to God in the Ordinary

The Shepherds: Glory to God in the Ordinary

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Ordinary Shepherds

Growing up, I raised sheep, fed sheep, vaccinated sheep, and in competition, exhibited sheep—a large flock of sheep. Daily, I took care of their never-ending needs. Yet for these shepherds, herding sheep outside Bethlehem differed drastically from my modern-day animal husbandry experience.

Their demanding vigil required living outdoors among their animals on barren hillsides. Did anything ever disrupt their ordinary lives or their ordinary duties? Seemingly, no. Yet, these ordinary shepherds, with an ordinary occupation, on an ordinary evening, became the first to hear an extraordinary announcement: The Birth Announcement of The Son of God.

Extraordinary Interruption

After 400 years of silence, an angel of the Lord broke the sound barrier. Without forewarning or introduction, a heavenly herald exploded on the serene pastoral scene.

Of course, the ordinary shepherds were terrified! But, the angel reassured them this was good news of great joy. There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Suddenly, backup voices appeared on the stage. An entire host joined the angel of the Lord to praise God and pronounce peace. When the heavenly performance ended, the curtain closed and the ordinary shepherds found themselves alone with their sheep. But they did not sit still.

Extraordinary Response

They discussed, they decided, and they departed. With a sense of urgency that fairly pulsates from the Text, they went, and they saw. Once the ordinary shepherds discovered for themselves that the announcement was true—The Baby was indeed in the manger—they spread the word of this extraordinary event. Ordinary individuals were entrusted with an extraordinary message…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Extraordinary Reality

Good news, great joy: a Savior has been born to you. Down through the ages, the to you part of this story still grips me—ordinary you, ordinary me. Extraordinary, isn’t it?

 Living with Eternal Intentionality®

Imagine the silence of 4oo years being broken with the angel’s announcement! Put yourself in the place of a shepherd. What might your response have been that night outside of Bethlehem?

Consider the powerful potential of an interruption. Our tendency is to view an interruption negatively. When is the last time God interrupted your ordinary daily routine with His change of plans for you? How did you respond?

The angels’ chorus of praise says in v.14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.  Why is peace so precious to those who know God?

When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child ( v.18).

What resulted from the shepherds seeing the Newborn Christ?  How does this apply to us today?

Mary Said Yes to God

Mary. Multiple images play out on the whiteboard of our minds at the mention of her name. But ponder this thought: before Mary heaved her very pregnant body onto the back of a donkey, before she plodded with Joseph into the hubbub of Bethlehem, before she made do with a manger for her Baby’s bed, she made a significant choice. Mary said Yes to God.

The angel Gabriel appeared with a Special Delivery Message from God, which dramatically altered the course of Mary’s life; she would never again be the same. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you”(Luke 1:28). Gabriel goes on, in the verses following, to offer reassurance and clarity to this youthful maiden. He articulates the specifics he had been assigned to deliver. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).

Then tucked in between verse 37 and verse 39 are the remarkable words we pause to consider. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). In paraphrase, “So be it. Thy will be done.”

Mary said Yes to God—to His will, to His plan, to His call on her life. Her destiny was contained in her response, and I am astounded each time I read it! How was this humanly possible for one so young, so innocent?

A closer look at the text sheds light on her faith-filled choice.                                                     

Mary said Yes to God because she knew the Word of God.                                                               

And                                                                                                                                                 

Because she knew the Word of God, she knew the Person of God. 

And

Because she knew the Person of God, she was prepared to say yes to the opportunity of God.

Her song (Luke 1:46-55) is saturated with Old Testament teaching where she exclaims the character of God, the faithfulness of God, the power of God, even the priorities of God. The significance of her response is steeped in the significance of Scripture. And here the connective gem emerges:

Knowing her God and knowing His Word laid the foundation for Mary to say Yes to God with pure, simple faith.

Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation after generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, [remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

The God that Mary knew invited her into His plan, and Mary said yes. She chose to believe. (Luke 1: 45) She chose to obey.

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

If Mary said No, how would the Story have been different?

Does her knowledge of Scripture motivate you to saturate yourself in the Word of God? What step will you take today to embark on this adventure?

Which aspect of God’s character in Luke 1:46-55 particularly encourages you this season of Advent?

Mary’s model of saying Yes to God sets an example for you and me. Where is God asking you to say Yes?