Joey’s first Christmas
Matthew 1:18–19 (ESV)
18 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. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
BETROTHAL – like engagement but more formal in that time, like being married only not living together or coming together intimately
Deuteronomy 22:23–24 (ESV)
23 “If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Joseph – righteous, cares about Mary’s reputation
HIS REPUTATION AFFECTED – assumption that he is the one who got her pregnant;
IMAGINE the thoughts going through his head –
I thought she loved me
I can’t believe she cheated on me
She’s delusional saying it was an angel
She cheated
Now she’s delusional
Virgins don’t have babies – Mary probably told Joseph the story but unbelievable
MATTHEW 1:20-23
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
NOW JOSEPH SEES ANGEL
Ok –
Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife! – raise another man’s kid?!?
“conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”
Name him Jesus – salvation
“he will save his people from their sins”
Fulfill prophecy
God with us!?
WHAT?!?
Can you imagine the pressure? I’m going to be the father to the Son of God –
I hope I don’t mess this up?
Don’t mess HIM up!
Matthew 1:24–25 (ESV)
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Joseph – says, “ok, let’s do this.”
JOSEPH OBEYED
Kept her a virgin - protect
Luke 2:1–5 (ESV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
THE CENSUS – need to register and go to ancestral home - to Bethlehem
- 90 miles – 31 hours or about 5 or 6 day walk! – WHILE PREGNANT
- I know walking can help the baby come – BUT NOT 90 MILES!
Joseph thinking about pregnant wife –
About family who will take him in – “at least we are going to my home town, family will take me in.”
“JOEY – I think the baby’s coming!”
Luke 2:6–7 (ESV)
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Imagine the pressure Joseph felt
1. First baby
2. No room at the inn – WHAT NO FAMILY TAKE ME IN????
3. Ancestral home – yet NO ONE TAKE HIM IN!
PRESSURE – how I’m providing for my family – I can’t even find a decent place for my wife to have a baby
Joseph – God! What are you doing?
ANYONE EVER BEEN THERE? FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE IS FALLING APART?
Feel like a failure?
Stigma of betrothed wife getting pregnant
Go to Bethlehem and NO FAMILY will take you in (and VERY pregnant wife)
Wife and you have to stay in stable, baby born with the animals
All these people (shepherds and angels) show up to see your failure
ONE NARRATIVE – or if Joseph gets over himself and realizes it is not about him, but about Jesus, he doesn’t need to let that bother him.
WHAT IS BOTHERING YOU THIS CHRISTMAS TIME? WHAT IS THE NARRATIVE YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF? Is it because of how you look and you feel like a failure as a
Parent Husband/wife
Business owner Employee Son/Daughter
Satan wants us to focus on ourselves and MISS that it is about Jesus!
MARY – “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Declare the Promises of God as a gift!
THEN THE WISE MEN/MAGI SHOW UP
gold for a Mighty King, frankincense for a Ministering Priest, myrrh for a Martyred Prophet
Luke 2:33–35 (CSB)
33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Sword will pierce your own soul?
REVEAL FELLOWSHIP – REVEALING JESUS, revealing hearts,
GOD ALLOWS THE TRIALS TO REVEAL OUR HEARTS – HE KNOWS ALREADY, but wants us to know and see what is going on inside of us.
Salvation – are you trying to do on your own strength?
Joseph just had to take Mary as his wife and name the baby Jesus.
APPLICATION:
What is God calling you to do this Christmas Season?
What stress are you adding to your life that God doesn’t intend for you to carry?
What promise from God’s Word do you need to cling to?
Is there something you need to surrender to Him? Your life, your hopes, your ambitions, your idols?
Is there someone you need to reconcile with?