Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, that’s what you hear this time of year. As we were leaving the store, the cashier wished us a Merry Christmas. In response, we of course replied with a Merry Christmas to her as well. Leaving church this past Sunday, everyone was wishing each other a Merry Christmas and safe travels for those who were traveling to see family. As Christians, we often say that people miss the real reason for the season. Maybe you’re a Christian who has uttered those very words. Or you may not even know Jesus as your personal savior. We’ve heard the story of the birth of Jesus but let’s go back and check it out.

Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Joseph is nervously pacing the living room of his best friend’s home wondering if she’ll say yes. We don’t know his friend’s name but we’re going to call him Matthew.

Joseph, seriously you need to quit pacing. You’ve been courting Mary for well over two years now and you received her father’s approval to marry his daughter. Why just last week at dinner with Zacharias and Elizabeth, you shared your plans with them and they were excited for you both. Even Elizabeth her relative, said that Mary will say yes. She of all people would know.

Matthew, what if she says no? Then what? I love Mary so much that I can’t imagine life without her.

Mary will say yes, if you only get the nerve to ask.

Can you imagine a conversation like this taking place? And after she agrees the excitement and joy he must have felt upon their engagement?

Matt! She said yes! Mary said yes! We are getting married!

I told you man, I knew she would say yes. You are a good man and it’s obvious to everyone around you that you belong together.

And then the unexpected happens. Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant and not by him. They hadn’t even been together. What?! How can this be? He decides he can’t be with someone he can’t trust and plans on breaking things off in secret. His heart broken by what he presumes to be an unfaithful betrothed, he falls into a troubled sleep where the truth comes out in a dream.

Matthew 1:20-21, 24-25 “But while he thought about these things, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'” “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

Can you imagine what Joseph must have been thinking? I like to imagine he must have thought something like this: “wow, my wife is carrying the Savior of the world”. The awe he must have felt knowing that he would be a part of raising the Savior. A humble man and woman, chosen parents to raise the Savior as a normal child. Can you imagine looking into the face of this tiny baby knowing that He was Royalty and you had the responsibility to raise Him?

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is the reason for the season. He came that we might live. His shoulders are strong and can bear our burdens. He’s waiting for you.