December 6, 2019

Joy in the Journey

We read the story every year. We put out our figurines and perhaps even watch a movie or play portraying the scene. We imagine the scene every Christmas Eve. I am of course talking about the nativity. We look at the stable and in it we see perhaps a few sheep, a donkey, a camel, some shepherds, a manger with a newborn baby, a young woman bending over the manger and standing just behind her a man. This man standing over the mother Mary must be in the scene. If he isn’t, it is incomplete. Of course this man is Joseph. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is considered one the great heroes of the Bible and rightfully so. Indeed he is an incredibly important figure. However, what details do we really know about him? How old was he? Was he any good as a carpenter? How did he die? All of these details are a mystery to us. This week we are not going to try to solve these mysteries. But we are going to take an in-depth look at what we know about Joseph and why he ultimately accepted the role as Jesus’ earthly father. We are going to consider how he went through less than ideal circumstances because of the joy set before him as would his son who was also his Savior and Lord. If you have an opportunity, please read Matthew 1:18-25 in preparation for this Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing you all. Pastor Clayton