Advent 2019
3rd Sunday of Advent
Read Matthew 1:18-25
It’s difficult to imagine the Christmas story without angels. If Mary had woken up one day pregnant, without Gabriel’s advanced warning, can you imagine how she would have responded? Even knowing it was going to happen, what was it like for her to have to explain it to her parents? Did they believe her? Did an angel visit them too?
Then there’s Joseph. A righteous man. A carpenter. By no means from a wealthy family, but a man whose family was known for their character. When he hears Mary’s story, he must have been furious! How could his fiancée have an affair! How could she think he’d believe her! A child from the Holy Spirit! Was she crazy? A quiet divorce would minimize the shame and limit the damage to his father’s good name, but still…how could she?
But then, an angel appeared to him too. The angel confirmed “that that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Don’t be afraid to marry her! She will have a son and you shall call him “Jesus” – ישוע – “Yeshua” – which means “Yahweh saves”. This child will save his people from their sins.
Like Mary, Joseph obeyed the command of the Lord. He believed the angel and did what he was told. What did Joseph endure because he agreed to marry Mary? What was whispered behind his back (or to his face)? What did his parents think? We don’t know. We see him take Mary to Bethlehem to register in the census – even though she probably did not have to go. Perhaps he thought it would let them escape the gossip. They didn’t return until well after Jesus was born and they’d even spent time in Egypt (see Matthew 2:13-15; 19-23).
At the first Christmas, the birth of the new king was not attended by dignitaries (they would arrive later). There wasn’t even a doctor and probably no midwife. This obedient couple had to go door-to-door; inn-to-inn; looking for a place to give birth. Finally, one innkeeper gave them space to stay. They wrapped their newborn son in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger – an animals feed trough.
God sent angels to announce the child’s birth. He did not send them to Pharisees or priests. He didn’t let Herod in on the big event. He sent angels to the least likely and least expectant people around. He sent them to stinky, unclean shepherds. The humblest (at least in terms of status) and lowest of society. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone upon them. The birth of their Messiah, the King, had happened in Bethlehem! Go and see! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
It’s been said, “All ground is level at the foot of the cross.” I love that. It means that human beings, in God’s eyes, are created equal. There isn’t any favoritism with God based on race or gender or nationality or anything. If you are wealthy and supremely gifted you are not better off, in God’s sight, than the person who is penniless and inept or somewhere in between.
Angels, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds confirm this truth. With whom do you identify most in the Christmas story? Why?
What feelings, thoughts or emotions are stirred up in you when you think about the lengths to which God went to send Jesus?
How does the reality of the cross and Jesus’ intention to die for us impact your thoughts?
Advent readings this week:
- Monday – Psalm 42; Isaiah 29:17-24; Acts 5:12-16
- Tuesday – Ezekiel 47:1-12; Jude 1:17-25
- Wednesday – Zechariah 8:1-17; Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34
- Thursday – 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Galatians 3:23-29
- Friday – 2 Samuel 7:18-22; Galatians 4:1-7
- Saturday – Psalm 80; 2 Samuel 7::23-29; John 3:31-36
- Sunday – Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
