A Christmas Love Story

A Christmas Love Story
[Joseph and Mary]
Matthew 1:18-25

In the summer of 2023 I was in a backyard anxiously waiting for the gender to be revealed of our grandchild who was going to arrive in a few months. We were all so excited, the moment came, and all of sudden there was a mist of pink powder in the air and we celebrated the eminent arrival of this precious little girl. The parents shared her name, and we just started celebrating as two families who felt so blessed to be on this journey together.

When you read the gospels their are two separate gender reveal moments for two parents who would be the mom and dad of a baby who would be born in Bethlehem and would change the world. The people of Israel had been expecting a Savior to arrive for centuries. 

This little baby was going to arrive with no fanfare, and would breath his first breath on planet earth in accommodations that would get a horrible score on an Air BNB review. Joseph and Mary were left with a space that included a hewed out manger and some animals curious about what was happening, or maybe just annoyed that they had to share their space for the night with a new baby.

The two parents were about 5 years apart in age. Many theologians think that Mary was about 13-14 years old and Joseph was probably 18-19 when they were engaged. These scholars come to this conclusion because parents were still arranging marriages at this time in history and the groom would need sufficient resources to marry the young lady. Because of this expectation, it would take some time for the groom to be ready to take care of his bride.  

In Matthew 1, we step into a Christmas love story where the couple has been betrothed to each other. This season of engagement, if you will, was a big step and the commitment was serious. In fact, even though they were not living together they could not break off the relationship without sufficient proof of improper behavior by the bride. The engagement could only be severed with a certificate of divorce. [Deuteronomy 24:1] During this time the bride and groom would prepare for their life together with the commitment already sealed in legal documents with a ceremony on the horizon.

In Matthew 1 we read about a problem that had just become apparent in the community – Joseph’s betrothed wife had a baby bump  – she was showing. This was scandalous, and Joseph was caught off guard as he heard the rumors and accusations making their way through the community. The scriptures give us insight about how much he cared for Mary, and even though he was asking the same question everyone else was  asking – Who is the father? He was still trying to figure out a way to help her through this uncomfortable situation. We read about his decision in Matthew 1:19, “Joseph resolved to divorce her quietly.” You can’t blame him. He couldn’t commit to a woman who lacked the moral clarity he needed in a wife. He wanted to be her one and only – and from what he saw, that ship had sailed. 

The decision to divorce Mary was agonizing for Joseph, and he was exhausted. However there is something we don’t want to miss in this situation — He was doing the noble thing, but he forgot one very important thing. Matthew never mentions that he prayed about the decision seeking God for clarity on how to handle the situation with Mary.

We can all relate to Jospeh’s response. When a curveball is thrown into our lives how do we react? Do we seek the Lord or just begin the evaluation process, looking at all the possible responses, than pick one and move ahead.  This seems like a very organized and thoughtful way to handle a tough situation, but it is absent of any wisdom from God and his Word regarding what our next steps should be. Sure, Jospeh was being gracious, even noble, in his response, but He never sought God’s input. He was hurt, broken, and disappointed and he just wanted to move on – even though the thought of losing Mary broke his heart.

At the end of Matthew 1:19, the decision had been made to make the whole scandal go away, but then God interrupted the plan Joseph had concocted with a visit from an angel. In a dream the angel answered the question that was being asked around the entire community and taking up major real estate in Joseph’s head: How did this happen? The angel tells Joseph to have no fear and take Mary as his wife, and that the baby was conceived from the Hoy Spirit. 

As I was studying this week I came upon some great insight concerning the virgin birth I wanted to share I with you. I think it will be helpful for us as we celebrate this incredible love story: 

The virgin birth is important in that it preserves the truth that Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time. His physical body He received from Mary as her biological child. But His eternal, holy nature was His from all eternity past (see John 6:69). Jesus had no sin nature (Hebrews 7:26) and therefore was able to be our perfect substitute (1 Peter 1:19), conquering sin and death once for all (Hebrews 10:10). Not only was He able to take away our sin, but He was tempted in every way that we are, yet without sin. Therefore, He is our perfect sacrifice and also able to empathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). Our God miraculously became man to save us and graciously reveal His love for us . . . The infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who would believe in Him. [New Living Translation Chronological Study Bible] 

And all God’s people said . . . Amen! 

The second important announcement made by the angel was the name of the child, Jesus [there is just something about that name]. 

Mathew ends this section with two outcomes from the events that had occurred. First, He points out that the angels proclamation fulfilled prophecy found in Isaiah – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, [Isaiah 7:14]  and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). [Isaiah 8:8, Isaiah 8:10]

Then the story puts the lens on Joseph’s response to everything he had learned in the dream. After he woke up, relieved and excited I am sure, he went and took his wife [he became present again in her life equipped with wisdom and knowledge he needed to do what God had called him to as her husband]. Unlike his plan that would have led to separation and despair, God’s plan had provided a mission for him and his betrothed bride. He respected the boundaries of their betrothed status till after Jesus was born as the scriptures had commanded, and was present when the Savior of the world was born.

Their is so much more to this story, but I want to end with some encouraging insight. When we read about Joseph’s journey beyond these moments from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then Bethlehem to Egypt, and then the final trek back to Nazareth form Egypt we see Joseph as Mary’s protector, helper, and friend. Their is no doubt in my mind that he loved that precious woman and was present for a major part Jesus’ life as they watched him grow up in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. [Luke 2:52] 

As you walk through this week join me in this prayer, “God help me to reflect your character in all situations — walking in faith no matter what is happening around me, choosing to love you and my neighbor authentically, embracing the joy in every circumstance, and resting in the hope that leads to the peace only found in you. Amen.