Thoughts for the Day

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard version - taken from the Service for Christmas Day, evening)

Thoughts

In Britain, today is called "Boxing Day" and since usually we have lots of sporting events around the country and even more on the television, I have assumed that the name reflected this fact. But no, as with many of our Christmas customs it's a Victorian invention and nothing to do with sport. Boxing Day was traditionally the day that the servants were given time off to go home, having been given a Christmas box of food which they would take to their family - hence 'Boxing Day'.

Today, we look at Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus. He concentrates on Joseph's perspective, whose faith in God and in His plans is like Mary's, immense. He is legally betrothed to Mary, but in that period before they begin living together, but on her return from her cousin Elizabeth he finds she is expecting a child. Joseph knows that Mary could be stoned to death for being pregnant without the wedding having actually happened, and he accepts God's plan sent to him in a dream. It will be Joseph that will keep the new child safe when Herod seeks to kill him, and it is he who will take the three of them to Egypt away from the King Herod's machinations until the time is right to return. God communicates with him through his dreams. It's worth noting that the whole Nativity story is composed of dreams and of journeys.

God continues to speak to us today. I wonder how God communicates with you - through dreams, through other people, through words from your bible, or........? Let me know, if you wish!

Heavenly Father,
we thank you for Joseph
and for his love and care
for Mary and Jesus;
for the protection
he gave them;
and for his faith in You
and in Your plans for Your Son.
Amen.