Matthew 1:20 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.
The only character in the nativity play that does not have a dialogue is Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus. He heard God’s instructions through a dream and faithfully responded without any questions or confrontations. Joseph would have been extremely disappointed and emotionally wrecked when he was informed that his wife-to-be was pregnant with a baby. He was a good and kind hearted man and he decided to divorce her without publicly humiliating her. Betrothal was as good as marriage. A betrothed couple could not break up without a formal divorce back in ancient Israel. Further, if Joseph had publicly accused Mary, she would have been stoned to death according to the Mosaic Law. But God spoke to him in a dream and Joseph took the most important decision of his life and accepted Mary as his wife. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25). It is pertinent to note that the angel of the Lord appeared only in a dream to Joseph unlike Mary who had a divine visitation of Gabriel.
The obedience of Joseph talks a lot about his character, confidence and his closeness with the Lord. Joseph must have been a righteous man who walked with God and who was familiar to divine direction through dreams and visions. Hence, Joseph continues to preach a profound Christmas message without uttering one word even today.
Christmas Message from Joseph:
1. Sensitive: Joseph was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. His acquaintance with the Lord cleared his confusion. Christmas is a time for us to renew and refresh our sensitivity to His leading. Joseph would have also played a very important role in the formative years of Jesus. Joseph was the one who would have trained Jesus to be an artisan and a carpenter, however, Joseph knew his responsibility and role to fostering the Messiah. Become more and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
2. Sensible: Joseph was sensible in all that he did. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. (Matthew 2:22a). Joseph took a sensible and wise approach in protecting Jesus. Be sensible in executing God’s will.
3. Spiritual: The spirituality of any person is measured by the way they lead their family. Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt (Matthew 2:19). Charity starts at home. Christmas must amplify our spiritual closeness with King Jesus and it must start at home.
Christmas is a time to sharpen our sensitivity to God’s voice. It is our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that makes us sensible and spiritual.
Matthew 2:22b And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.
Prayer: Dear Lord, make my ears to be sensitive and my heart to be obedient like Joseph. Amen
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