Christmas Devotional: 20th December 2020
What can we learn from Joseph, “a righteous man”?
In this passage, Matthew emphasises the role of Joseph in the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Matthew’s birth narrative contrasts with Luke’s account, which includes more about Mary and her conversation with the angel, Gabriel. In considering Joseph’s role in the story, we can find good spiritual lessons for our own faith journeys – the way he listens to God, his obedience and how he shows faith in actions.
When in a crowded room, where lots of conversations are going on, it can sometimes be difficult to focus on the bit which is important, without being distracted by what else is happening around us. Before Joseph has the dream, he comes up with the plan to dismiss Mary quietly to avoid public disgrace (v19), and yet just before he acts, he has a dream where an angel of the Lord speaks to him. Joseph is able to listen to God’s message, amidst the chaos going on in his life, and realises that this is what he needs to tune in to. It can be a challenge for us, in times of pressure to listen to what God might be saying.
During his dream (v20-v21), Joseph is told that the child conceived is from the Holy Spirit, he should still take Mary as his wife, and that the child is the Messiah! The easy option for Joseph here would be to ignore the message and follow through with his discreet plan. It would’ve been a lot less demanding for him, but despite the size of the task of adopting the Son of God, he obeys. He, unequivocally does as the angel commanded him, showing that not only did he listen to the Lord, but that he was prepared to act upon it. Joseph demonstrated that God’s plan for us can sometimes be the harder option, even more so when we think we already know what’s right.
In Luke’s account of this story, Mary’s portrayal and the description of the events leading up to the birth, are communicated almost entirely by the words Mary uses. In particular, we have the song of Mary – the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Despite no words from Joseph being included in Matthew’s account, his faith in God is shown through his actions. They speak incredibly loudly. The differences between the two accounts are striking and yet neither narrative is better or more important. Often we can find it difficult to find the right words to express our faith. Let brave Joseph be a reminder to us that actions can speak just as loud as words.
Wherever we are on our faith journeys, Joseph reminds us to take time to listen to God; to be courageous in our obedience; to show faith in actions as well as words, as we seek to travel righteously. Best of all, “God is with us” (v23).