God is at Work

God is at Work

In the story of Christmas one man is often forgotten about.  We know the shepherd, the wise men, Mary and even the donkey but how often do we think about Joseph?  Joseph is often viewed as Mary’s “plus one” just an added extra to look good in nativity scenes… but this morning we are going to try and put ourselves in his shoes and imagine how the news of Mary’s pregnancy would have impacted his life and what God does to show Joseph that everything is OK.  There are times when we go through disappointment and frustration so as we unpack God’s Christmas message to Joseph we will find hope for our lives as well.

Matthew 1:18-25

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.