"Joseph"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

What are your worries right now?  Is there something that keeps you awake at night?  Is there a hurt that causes your heart to ache?  Does the future hold problems for which you don’t have solutions?  Is peace more a hope than a reality?

 

The stores say we are in the Christmas season.  During Christmas it seems everyone remembers the promise of the angels, “peace on earth.”  We may hope for peace, but too often the regular problems of life only become even more worrisome with the high expectations and the frantic schedules of the Christmas season. 

 

I have heard people long for the peace of that first Christmas.  They think about a young married couple, and shepherds in the fields, and a baby born in a stable.  Today that story seems peaceful.  The Christmas carol even sings of heavenly peace.  We wish or hope that this Christmas might bring us the peace of a trouble free life.  Sometimes when work stops and family gathers and worship points us to Jesus we do experience a time of respite from our problems.

 

But, please think with me again about Joseph.  That first Christmas was not trouble free for him. Even though Joseph was getting married, life was not necessarily all anticipation and joy.  Instead Joseph’s world was full of problems bigger than Joseph himself.  Matthew 1:18 says, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

 

The people of Joseph’s day took God’s plan for sex and marriage seriously, even though the people couldn’t always live according to God’s standards.  For Mary to be pregnant before she and Joseph were married was a public disgrace.  Joseph tried to deal with this situation in an honorable way, but no matter what he did the results were less than what Joseph had hoped and planned for his family.  Imagine trying to explain to others that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  But sending Mary away meant there would be no marriage and no family.

 

That first Christmas was not trouble free for Joseph, but actually added more problems to the troubles he already struggled with.  In fact, even the birth of Jesus did not solve all of Joseph’s problems either.  But, Jesus’ birth did help.  And Jesus’ birth did bring promise and hope.

 

You see, the child Mary bore was Jesus, the Son of God.  Matthew 1:21 tells us that an angel told Joseph about this child, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  You see, the child born to Mary was God who came to live in this world and take the sin and troubles of this world on Himself.  Joseph may face danger and trouble, but God cared enough to share those problems in Jesus.  Joseph may have struggled with life’s disappointments throughout his days on this earth, but Jesus, the son of Mary and the Son of God was not only born in a stable, but He also died and rose to win eternal life in heaven and final peace for Joseph, and for all who believe in Him.

 

Do you long for peace this Christmas?  Do you hope for help with your worries, aches, and pains?  Come to Jesus.  He came to this world to take your pain and your sin on Himself.  He has won eternal life in heaven for you when life here is over.  Jesus came to save people from their sins, and their troubles.  When we receive the gift of Jesus again this Christmas, God brings peace even in the midst of our worries, troubles, and disappointments.

 

A Child of God, waiting with Joseph, for Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  One way to receive God’s Son and His peace this Christmas is in worship.  We have many special worship opportunities offered along with our regular Sunday and Wednesday worship.  Please look below to see some of the special worship and service opportunities available this holiday.

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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