Advent Sermon Series: The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story - The Star (4/5)

The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story: The Star (4/5)
Matthew 2: 1-9
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 23, 2018
Fourth Sunday of Advent

This Advent we are looking at the bit parts of the biblical Christmas story. If you are just joining us, a bit part is a seemingly minor role which has direct interaction with the lead actors and has just a few speaking lines. However, each of the bit parts in the biblical Christmas story are silent. And yet each one adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child.

We have been gleaning a new perspective of the nativity scene from Luke’s Gospel the past three weeks with Joseph, the Inn, and the Manger. But today the Gospel of Matthew reveals how the bit part of the star leads the way to baby Jesus.

Hear Matthew tell it in Matthew 2: 1-10…

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.

Matthew opens the scene of today’s Christmas story with the plan to take us to the little town of Bethlehem. We see the silent stars go by. And even in the dark streets of Jerusalem there shines an everlasting light.

The light of the star was so very captivating. It created a prophetic moment; the hopes and fears of all humanity’s years are met in Christ’s birth on that Christmas night.

For King Herod the star shined like a GPS locator. It pointed the way to his biggest fear – a political threat – a new King…and not just any king, but The King of the Jews. God’s kingdom was breaking in and creating havoc on Herod, Rome’s client king.

But for the magi the star met them with a new hope. The star appeared like a blessing. It peaked their curiosity and searching for meaning and purpose in life. The star invited the magi to come closer; it wanted to show them more of what God had done. And so, they set out on an unfamiliar road, fully depending upon the star to lead the way to baby Jesus over the course of many nights.

The hearers of Matthew’s Gospel knew the story of God’s people. They knew what it was like to walk along the unfamiliar roads of faith. Generations of past spiritual ancestors had lots of practice walking in the dark. God’s people stumbled upon many obstacles making it hard to walk in God’s faithfulness. And many of those obstacles were of the people’s own making. Humanity cannot steer clear from the dark condition of sin.

For the hearers of Matthew’s Gospel, the star was no bit part. You see the star had a prophetic role of not only announcing the arrival of the King of the Jews. But also, the star had a prophetic role in recalling the memory of God’s steadfast love. And God’s love always leads the way home.

The star recalled God’s promise to Abraham of being chosen out of God’s deep and abiding love to fulfill God’s purposes. Love promised God’s dreams to be accomplished through Abraham; kings would come through him, as well as an eternal inheritance to all future generations. All generations including ours would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 17: 6-8; 15:5).

The star recalled God’s encouraging words to Moses when the steps got really hard in leading God’s people from slavery into the promise of God’s freedom:

You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. The Lord is your praise, for he is your God, who has done for you great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars (Deuteronomy 10: 20-22).

The star recalled God is always good on his promises for the prophecy is fulfilled:

For the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined…A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom (Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7).

The star recalled the name of this Holy Child, “Jesus,” means he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). For Matthew Jesus was the new Moses, fully delivering God’s people from the slavery of sin into the God’s promises of new life.

And today the fullness of the Christmas story surrounds us through the bit parts.

Joseph inspires us to remember that when uncertainty clouds the way forward there is hope. We can take heart, remembering that God is with us and God will deliver us when everything seems to be hanging in the balance.

The Inn, or as we learned it is better translated, “Guestroom” inspires us to remember God’s radical hospitality meets us where we are, gives us a place of belonging and connection, and provides what we need.

The Manger cradles the JOY of God’s promise of new life for humanity. It brings good news of JOY because God’s holiness abides in the unholiness of humanity. When the wrong in the world seems oft so strong, God is at work to reorder and redeem God’s people.

And today the star is shining.

For some of us the star is shining upon a road that feels quite unfamiliar. Questions cloud the background wondering if love is enough to bind strained relationships and mend broken hearts. Grief has made its grand entrance and steals the joy that was once the centerpiece of the season. Decisions need to be made but the direction is still unclear.

Whatever may be threatening your faith today, may the light of God’s love in Emmanuel shine in your darkness when you feel most alone. Trust that God’s love will see you through.

For others the star is shining into curiosity and searching. The culture’s narrative of self-reliance isn’t holding true; there is a slight tapping on the shoulder of our faith that we cannot walk the journey of life all alone. Could kindling or even rekindling the faith be the answer to the MORE we are searching for? A recent situation opened your eyes to see what really matters in life and you are searching for a faithful way of re-prioritizing your days. An ending has brought about a possible new beginning and your soul is curious to discover a new purpose in life.

Whatever you may be searching for today, may the star illumine a new window to reveal the mystery of God’s love and will for your life.

The bit part of the star illumines the truth of God’s love that in Jesus’ nativity we find ours. Through the Christ Child we too are God’s beloved children. We are chosen out of a divine love that will never let us go. We are blessed to be a blessing to others through a life of purpose and meaning. Christ is the MORE we are searching for that connects us to God, one another, and God’s “already here but not fully yet” kingdom.

Togetherness has always been my favorite part of Christmas. Every year of my childhood my family decorated the tree together. And every year the tradition was not complete without playing John Denver’s Christmas album, “A Rocky Mountain Christmas.” It was a folksy album that had so many harmonies and lyrics of love, family, and belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

Just this week I was listening to John Denver’s voice all over again. And suddenly nostalgia gave way to new meaning as I listened to a particular song that I never gave much thought to. It’s entitled, “Perhaps Love.” And the Spirit seemed to knit John Denver’s words through today’s sermon and so I share them with you:

Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through

Oh, love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything and some say they don't know..
Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it's cold outside or thunder when it rains.

If I should live forever and all my dreams come true, my memories of love will be of you.

May faith’s memory of God’s love be with you this Christmas.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

"The Nativity," by Rev. Carson Overstreet

Advent Sermon Series: The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story - The Manger (3/5)

The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story: The Manger (3/5)
Luke 2: 8-14
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 16, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent

This Advent we are looking at the bit parts of the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel. For those of you with a theater background, you know that a bit part is a seemingly minor role which has direct interaction with the lead actors and has just a few speaking lines.

However, each of the bit parts in the biblical Christmas story are silent. And yet each one adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child.

Our focal point from Luke’s story today reveals quite a nostalgic scene within the Christmas story. Hear Luke tell it in Luke 2: 8-14…

In that region [of Bethlehem] there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ - Luke 2: 8-14


I love the way one of my colleagues in ministry experienced this scene through a live nativity. This is her story:

A previous church I served had a long tradition of creating a Live Nativity. Over time, it became quite professional and thousands of people would attend each year. The costumes were realistic, the sets authentic and believable. They even had a beautiful lighted star that came on magically at just the right moment to illumine the visitors’ way through the darkness of night to the stable where they would discover the holy family complete with a live newborn baby.

One year as I was walking through, I was standing at the sheep pen where the “shepherds were watching their sheep by night.” On cue, a heavenly host appeared in the night sky above. It was really just some of the church ladies on the roof dressed in white robes with a smoke machine and an eerie blue light behind them. But a little girl about 4 was standing beside me and when that light illumined those ladies on the roof, she gasped in delight, “It’s my very first real live angel!” It was perfect, truly magical.

And then a star began to shine over a stable several yards away and the shepherds helped us follow to a rough-hewn stable. When we got there, the Shepherds knelt, and I felt like kneeling too. It was freezing, but somehow, I felt warm… seeing that young teenaged Mary hovering over the manger, proud Joseph at her side. Gazing in wonder at the real live baby sleeping peacefully on the bed of hay….it was surreal….and then out of thin air, came stains of music…..”Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.”

Only Bessie the donkey wasn’t exactly feeling it. She was a bit antsy, snorting and pacing in the stall. And then, backing up and lifting her tail right next to the baby Jesus, Bessie deposited a steaming hot pile of fresh manure.

Mary and Joseph looked appalled as a rank smell filled the stable, and the youngest Shepherds began to snicker. But I thought to myself, “YES. This is it. Welcome to our world, Baby Jesus.” This is the way it really was. A dark, dirty stable. A pile of hot manure. This is how you really came…to a place dark and dirty, not at all perfect.

No one expected Bessie the donkey to let it go right beside baby Jesus. And likewise, no one in the ancient world expected for this Holy Child, the Son of the Most High God, the Prince of Peace to be born in a manger.

For you and me the sign of the manger is a nostalgic one; we think of live nativities and Christmas pageants gone by, but it was actually rather scandalous for Luke’s readers.

Last week we looked at the bit part of the inn. Luke’s readers would have understood that word “inn” as a guest room in a private Palestinian home. More than likely Joseph knocked on the door of distant relatives with multiple generations living there. They made do and welcomed the Holy Couple in God’s hospitality, even though there was no proper guest room.

A common peasant Palestinian home was a split level with one large room for living and sleeping and a guest room [1]. There was a slightly lower level inside the home that served as a first century garage to park the donkey and ox in each night, so they would not get stolen. It was in that garage that you would find one or two mangers.

In these ancient homes a manger was a feeding trough for the animals. It was commonly either a hollowed depression in the floor with hay [2] or an immovable feeding trough “hallowed in stone [3]”.

The first ones to hear the news of Jesus’ birth were the shepherds. Society held them in the lowest regards. While many shepherds were trying to make an honest living doing the dirty work no one else wanted to do, others had a rap sheet and could find no other work.

And yet this sign of the manger was indeed a sign of grace to the first ones to sneak a peek at baby Jesus. You see, the manger was the throne of God’s upside-down kingdom. And the first ones to attend to the Prince of Peace were not royalty but the lowly underdogs of humanity whom God’s heart beats for.

My commentary states, “The Christmas story is a scandal that God came into human history completely helpless, as a newborn, and was laid in a feeding trough…far from the seat of earthly power. By entering human history this way, Immanuel – God-With-Us, identified with the powerless, the oppressed, the poor and the homeless” [4].

The bit part of the manger adds something pivotal to the birth of the Christ Child. The manger is a symbol of JOY. And that JOY in the biblical Greek is always about gaining a deeper awareness of God’s grace in the ordinary places of life. The manger cradles the JOY of God’s promise of new life for humanity. It brings good news of JOY because God’s holiness abides in the unholiness of humanity. God is at work to reorder and redeem God’s people.

After being told in Luke’s Gospel that she would carry the womb of God’s grace, Mary sung the most magnificent song – the Magnificat. She proclaimed surely Gods’ mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. For this Holy Child lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry with good things, sends the rich away empty, scatters the proud, and brings down the powerful from their earthly thrones (Luke 1: 50-53).

Some scholars see the grace of the manger as a foreshadowing of how the Christ Child will fulfill God’s purposes of salvation. God took on the vulnerability of humanity being in being born as a helpless baby. That sweet little Jesus boy was wrapped in bands of cloth and placed in a manger because there was no guest room.

But after 33 years of growing into God’s wisdom, our Lord and Savior fulfilled God’s plan for salvation. Christ took the vulnerability, the suffering, and the weight of our human sin on the cross. Christ’s body was then wrapped in linen cloth, placed in a rock hewn tomb where no one had laid before [5].

From his birth to his death, although Jesus was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2: 6-8).

This Advent season I charge you to keep the cross in the manger. And as you do may the manger bring you a renewed sense of JOY. For it proclaims God’s grace has not forgotten the brokenness of the world nor the brokenness of our hearts.

God chooses to live in solidarity with the downtrodden and the poor in spirit.
God is with those who mourn and those who are weak in mind, body, and spirit.
God draws near to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
God’s favor claims those who have lost all hope and have no peace.

As we mark off the days till Christmas Day, let us wait and watch for God’s upside-down kingdom to break in with the HOPE, PEACE, and JOY that only Jesus Christ provides.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:
[1] Ken Bailey, “The Manger and the Inn: A Middle Eastern View of the Birth Story of Jesus,” The Presbyterian Outlook, Dec 21, 2006.
[2]Ian Paul Psephizo, “Once More: Jesus Was not Born in a Stable,” Dec 3, 2018.
[3]Kenneth Bailey, “The Manger and the Inn,” The Shiloh Excavations, Nov 8, 2008
[4] New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, “Volume VIII: Luke and John (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), p. 51.
[5] Luke Timothy Johnson, Sacra Pagina “The Gospel of Luke” (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991), p.53.

Advent Sermon Series: "The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story - The Inn" (2/5)

The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story: The Inn (2/5)
Luke 2: 6-7
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 9, 2018
Second Sunday of Advent

This Advent we are looking at the bit parts of the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel. Last week I shard with you that a bit part is a seemingly minor role which has direct interaction with the lead actors and has just a few speaking lines. However, each of the bit parts in the biblical Christmas story are silent. And yet each one adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child.

Last week we focused on Joseph. Uncertainty clouded the way forward for Joseph and yet God’s faithfulness calmed Joseph’s fears of the unknown. Joseph kept walking forward into the future of God’s hope. Joseph was obedient to the promise that in Christ all things hold together.

Joseph’s part gives us a poignant reminder: Hope that is seen is not hope. Instead we hope for what we do not see. And we wait for God’s perfect plans to be revealed with patience (Romans 8: 24-25).

And so, Joseph and Mary continued to follow God as Mary carried the womb of God’s grace. The holy couple walked in God’s faithfulness until God’s faithfulness became their lived reality.

After 9 months of crazy food cravings, mood swings, and stretch marks, Mary’s pregnancy ended with a rather long journey. The couple traveled from Mary’s hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem. It is about 100 miles and it would have taken about 8-10 days to travel on foot. More than likely they caravanned with other families making the trek for the Roman census.

In our Western culture we tend to read the Christmas story through the lens of our own context. The unexpected always happens at the wrong time, does it not? As soon as the holy couple arrived in Bethlehem, Mary’s water broke and the contractions began. Of course, there were no hospitals to rush Mary into Labor and Delivery.

And so, we arrive at the next bit part of the Christmas story: the inn. Listen to Luke’s words in Chapter 2: 6-7:

While Joseph and Mary were there in Bethlehem, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

We find ourselves a bit miffed that when Joseph knocked on the door of the Bethlehem Holiday Inn, the innkeeper clicked the neon light saying, “No Vacancy.” I don’t want to burst your Bible bubble, but when we dig a little deeper that is not really what Luke is saying.

There are actually two different words in Greek which can be translated as “inn.”

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Luke uses the traditional word for “inn,” meaning “a place that welcomes all.” The Samaritan took the injured man to the closest Motel 6 where they always leave the light on for you (Luke 10:34).

But here in the Christmas story Luke uses a different word for “inn.” It is actually best translated as guest room. My commentary says, “Luke’s audience would have understood Jesus was born in a private home, crowded with other guests" [1].

Bethlehem was probably flooded with traveling families returning for the Roman census. But remember Joseph’s family roots were from Bethlehem going back all the way to King David. When Mary cradled her baby bump, knowing it was time, Joseph would have knocked on the door of his relatives’ house. Even if a distant relative had opened the door whom Joseph did not know well, the holy couple would have been welcomed because Joseph was a descendant of David.

Middle Eastern culture has long been deeply rooted in hospitality. In Jesus’ time if a traveler knocked upon your door for a place to lodge overnight, the homeowner had an obligation to provide food, water, and shelter [2]. To completely turn someone away would have been contentious, breaking the greatest commandment of loving God and loving neighbor as self.

A Palestinian home in the first century was commonly a square stone structure. The exterior had a white washed stucco material. Typically, multiple generations lived in one home. Inside there would be one large multipurpose room to serve as a living room and sleeping quarters [3]. Another room would serve as a guest room, And downstairs a room would have served as a first century garage to park the ox and donkey so they would not be stolen. Kitchens and bathrooms would have been outside of the home; an open fire to cook and an outhouse respectively.

To stand in Luke’s story with biblical imagination, we begin to get a different picture, don’t we?

The holy couple were not shunned and all alone. While they were told there was no proper guest room to unroll their sleeping mats, Joseph’s relatives made do, as we say in the South. That household used what they had in the best possible way to welcome Mary and Joseph and bring them peace.

You see, the bit part of the inn, or more accurately “the guest room” adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child. It reveals a sure sign of God’s mysterious hospitality.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet an incredible woman in Lancaster. Her name is Miss Jackie and she is in her eighties. She lives on Brooklyn Avenue right next door to the reading park that is being created by Promise Neighborhood volunteers. Everyone on Brooklyn Avenue knows Miss Jackie.

She is a woman of faith who does not have a lot, but she has a big heart for Jesus and for the children in her neighborhood. For the past 35 years Miss Jackie has invited the neighborhood children to her house everyday after school. She gives these children food, water, and place to call a second home. Many of these children have very little. And Miss Jackie feels God has called her to bridge the gap.

One of the Promise Neighborhood volunteers asked me last month if I would like to meet her. We knocked on the door and I was welcomed inside. The three of us stood in the middle of Miss Jackie living room. She had collected a lot of items over the years to provide for the needs of others.

Miss Jackie told me one story of feeling God had called her to prepare and deliver meals to a few neighbors in need. However, the recipe she had in mind was missing the ingredients of onions, cabbage, and potatoes. She prayed to God. And then throughout the morning three different people knocked on her door. Each one had been out at the store. In their own way, each friend said that God told them to pick up a bag of onions, another some cabbage, and another some potatoes. It was amazing how God provided all of this!

Miss Jackie radiated God’s welcome, love, and hospitality. After talking with her for about 15 minutes I asked Miss Jackie if I could say a pray for her before we lift. And with tears in her eyes, she said that she had never had someone ask her that.

Holding hands in a small circle, we prayed together, and it felt like God was birthing a new sense of peace over Miss Jackie as she makes do to make Christ known in her neighborhood.

Last Sunday afternoon, a small group of us drove to the homes of our homebound members and a few neighbors to sing Christmas carols. Each one we sang to had such a look of hope and peace on their faces as they sang with us. Even Miss Flo next door was like a kid at Christmas.

But it was the last neighbor that we visited that got each of us emotional. Upon saying our goodbyes at the last neighbor’s house, our neighbor said with tears in her eyes, “Thank you so much for coming. Do you know I have never had someone come and sing carols at our house before? I cannot tell you what this means to me in this very hard time.”

You see, when the neighbor had opened the door, God birthed a new sense of peace among us as we stood together around the front porch caught up in God’s welcome, love, and hospitality. What a gift our neighbor and we ourselves received.

There is only one other place in Luke’s Gospel that he uses that word, “guest room,” as he did in this Christmas story. The time is nearing for Jesus’ betrayal and arrest. But knowing what time it is, Jesus sends out his disciples Peter and John to prepare for the Last Supper. And Jesus says:

When you enter the city of Jerusalem, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make the preparations for us there (Luke 22: 10-12).

It was in that same guest room where Jesus and his disciples shared the Last Supper that Jesus Christ prayed for God’s peace over the disciples. And that first evening of Easter, the Risen Lord breathed a spirit of peace upon them too (John 14: 27; 20:22).

You see, the inn or rather, the guest room, is an in-between space where we encounter God’s hospitality in a radical way.

This Advent season you and I are walking in the steps of God’s faithfulness until God’s promises of hope become our new reality. And with each step we encounter these in-between spiritual spaces that meet us in our disappointments, our lack, and our pain.

God always honors our attempts of faithfulness. God’s radical hospitality meets us where we are, gives us a place of belonging and connection, and provides what we need. Friends – this is where we encounter God’s holy moments of peace.

In this Advent season, may God’s hope and peace be yours as it was for Mary and Joseph.

But never forget that the Risen Christ sends us out into this broken world to be that in-between space for others. You and I are called to do the work of Advent to shine the light of hope and welcome others in God’s radical hospitality.

As we prepare to go back out into this bleak midwinter’s day, may the peace of Christ be with you.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] David Barr, “New Testament Story: An Introduction” (Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning), p. 4-5.
[2] Dennis Bratcher, “Travelers and Strangers: Hospitality in the Biblical World”
[3] Msgr. Charles Pope, “What Were Typical Homes Like in Jesus’ Time?” Community in Mission blog, July, 2014

Advent Sermon Series: The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story - Joseph (1/5)

The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story: Joseph (1/5)
Luke 2: 1-5; Matthew 1: 18-25
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 2, 2018
First Sunday of Advent

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. - Luke 2: 1-5

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. - Matthew 1: 18-25

Today we open the Christmas story once again with all its familiarity, anticipation, and mystery. The two gospels of Luke and Matthew give accounts of Jesus’ birth. The leading roles always include Mary, baby Jesus, the angels, and the shepherds – and rightfully so. But this year we are taking a detour to look into the bit parts.

If you are familiar with theater, a bit part is a seemingly minor role which has direct interaction with the lead actors and has less than five lines of dialogue. However, each of the bit parts in the biblical Christmas story are silent. And yet each one adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child.

Presbyterian poet, Ann Weems, turns the spotlight on our first bit part, Joseph, saying:

Who put Joseph in the back of the stable?
Who dressed him in brown, put a staff in his hand, and told him to stand in the back of the creche,
background for the magnificent light of the Madonna?
Is [Joseph] a man to be stuck for centuries in the back of the stable? [1]

Let’s bring Joseph to the forefront and get to know his story a little better.

You have heard it said that in the South it matters where your people come from. Well, Joseph’s people came from Bethlehem. Joseph was the son of Jacob and a descent from the line of King David. King David’s father Jesse was from Bethlehem (Matthew 1: 16; 1 Samuel 16:1). This is important for Isaiah’s prophecy says the Messiah will be an offspring of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1).

Bethlehem was a village just 6 miles from Jerusalem. Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” It was a community of shepherds, farmers, and hardworking families. Bethlehem is known for producing wheat, almonds, olive oil, and it was the main source of water for Jerusalem [2].

Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). He was hardworking, honest, and a righteous man following the Law of Moses (Matthew 1:19). And he was betrothed to Mary, a young lady from Nazareth. The ancient Jewish marriage customs were arranged marriages between two families. The earliest age to marry for a young woman was age 12 and for a young man was age 13. So, Joseph and Mary were most likely quite young.

Betrothal was not like our modern-day engagement where you could just walk away with a case of cold feet. Betrothal was a legally binding contract with consequences. The father of the groom would have paid money or an in-kind service to the father of the bride. “During this time the woman was legally married, although she still remained at her father’s house.” The wedding would come later when the bride was accompanied by a procession walking her to the house of the groom to tie the knot and consummate the marriage [3].

In the meantime, a wrench had been thrown into Joseph’s and Mary’s betrothal; she was pregnant. According to Jewish Law, the consequences were dire for such scandal; Mary could be stoned to death by the men of the city for bringing disgrace upon her father’s house and upon Joseph (Deuteronomy 22: 23-27).

Uncertainty clouded the way forward for Joseph. The future seemed to hang in the balance of betrayal and shame. Joseph had a hard decision to make. But wanting to do the right thing, he decided to spare Mary the disgrace due to her and divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:19).

If Joseph had been left to his own devices and divorced Mary, I cannot say that prophecy would not have been fulfilled because nothing can thwart God’s purposes. But I can say that Joseph would have missed the blessing of being a part of God’s purposes. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts and our ways are not God’s ways. For God’s word will not return to God empty; it shall accomplish God’s purposes and succeed in the very thing for which God sent it (Isaiah 55: 8, 11).

When uncertainty clouded the way forward for Joseph, Holy Spirit settled into the chaos of Joseph’s mind in a dream. God’s Spirit was leading the way forward saying three important things to Joseph: (1) Do not be afraid of Mary’s pregnancy (Matthew 1:20). (2) Keep walking into the future with Mary for God is with you (Matthew 1:20). (3) Be obedient to the plans God has for you (Matthew 1:21).

Joseph could not see the plans God had for him, for Mary, or for the salvation of the world. But Joseph’s role in the Christmas story adds something pivotal to our anticipation of the Christ Child.

It is Joseph who would have the great honor of naming this Holy Child. In doing so, my commentary says, this child conceived by the Holy Spirit, would be adopted into the line of David, and Joseph would be accepting this child as his own [4].

With the knowledge that God indeed had plans to give Joseph, Mary, and God’s people a future with hope, Joseph has a major role to play in sharing his honest, hardworking, and righteous lineage with that sweet little Jesus boy.

This Son would grow up taking his Godly Father’s purposes and his earthly father’s trade of carpentry to work with his hands and heart to help the people in his community and wider world as Scripture states. And Jesus would do so through God’s faithfulness and righteousness and through Joseph’s humility and integrity.
Just the sheer fact that Joseph named Jesus means that Joseph claimed God’s power for himself, for Mary, for God’s people, and for you and me.

When uncertainty clouds the way forward in your life and in mine, Joseph inspires us to remember the profound truth that God is with us and God will deliver us when everything seems to be hanging in the balance.

Today as we enter into this season of Advent, we encounter a mix of emotions: there is a lot of anticipation, excitement, and busyness to prepare for Christmas.

But also, some of us hang in the balance of strained relationships, grief, and uncertainty.

In all of our highs and lows, in all that is unresolved and unfinished, we are waiting for the womb of God’s grace to birth the hope of God’s promises into our broken world once again….so remember how Joseph encountered God’s Advent hope.

When uncertainty clouds the way forward, remember the Spirit whispers to us three things:

(1) Do not be afraid. God’s faithfulness will meet you right where you are.

(2) Keep walking forward. Take the next right step into the hope of God’s future plans, for God is with us. God goes ahead of us and is our rear guard (Isaiah 52:12). Be still and listen for God’s Spirit speaking to you in unexpected ways and even through unexpected people as you discern God’s will.

(3) And be obedient. You may not be able to clearly see the heart and hands of God at work in your situation today. As they say, hindsight is always 20/20.

Rest in the assurance that in Christ all things hold together; for as the womb of God’s grace embraced the Holy Child, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through Jesus Christ God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1: 17, 19-20).

When uncertainty clouds the way forward, it is Christ who holds us together in God’s promises.

Borrowing Ann Weems’ words, “This Christmas, let us give thanks to God for [Joseph] this man of incredible faith into whose care God placed the Christ Child. As a gesture of gratitude, let’s put Joseph in the front of the stable where he can guard and greet and cast an occasional glance at this Child who [brings] us life" [5].

In the name of the triune God who is and was and is to come. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] Ann Weems, “Kneeling in Bethlehem” (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1980, 1985, 1987), p. 50.
[2] Simon Worrall, “The Little Town of Bethlehem Has a Surprising History,” December 23, 2017, National Geographic.
[3] Hayyim Schauss, “Ancient Jewish Marriage"
[4] New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume VII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), p. 71.
[5] Weems, p. 50.