The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 3

The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 3:
“And You Shall Name Him Jesus”
Matthew 1:24-25
Rev. Clark Lynn Callender, 12/19/10

Retired preacher Will Thompson tells the following story of an unusual experience he had one year, and the profound lesson he learned from it, when he was called, at the last moment, to fill in for a fellow preacher who had come down sick at Christmas. He writes:
“I was invited to preach for a pastor on Christmas Eve. During the service I noticed that there was a manger scene on the altar. But on closer inspection, I saw only farm animals, shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, by the lighted barn. I couldn’t find a baby in the manger. When the time came for the sermon, I walked to the altar and asked the congregation if they had seen Jesus. Everyone looked perplexed. I told them I had looked all over the altar but couldn’t find him anywhere.
“Finally, a woman in the choir responded, ‘I know where Jesus is. He’s still in the box we haven’t unpacked yet.’
“I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that this is what Christmas comes down to for most people – myself included: Amidst all the festivities, Jesus himself left boxed away somewhere. The one thing we didn’t unpack.”
This is something of what I’d like to talk about this morning: UNPACKING JESUS.

Today, in our continuing look at “Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph” we see the next step of Joseph’s obedience in the drama: Having taken Mary as his wife, once the child is born, Joseph names him Jesus – as the angel had commanded him to do. This is one of a handful of key responsibilities entrusted with Joseph which he fulfills. The question being:
Why Jesus? That is, why this particular name? What is this important and what is God trying to tell us in this?
As we all know, the name Jesus is a powerful name. Think about it... Let’s say you get into a religious discussion with someone. In such discussions, most people are comfortable talking about GOD – God in general, God generic, if you will. But mention the name of Jesus and the discussion suddenly changes – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. It’s polarizing. This name identifies a unique concept of God that alters the conversation.
The name Jesus defines a specific understanding of God and his work. What is this understanding?
Well, the name Jesus is, essentially (through some transliteration) the Greek form of the Hebrew name JOSHUA. And as historians tell us, in Jesus’ day, the name was very common. Many graves of that period have been found in that region with the name Jesus on them – obviously leading to all sorts of confusion! Remember, even at Jesus’ crucifixion, when the people called for his death, a criminal was let go - the criminal Barabbas. Full name: JESUS Barabbas.
A common name. And right off the top, that should tell us something: That it speaks of his association with the common person, with everyone.
A common name of the time; but what does it mean?
Well, the name Jesus means “GOD SAVES” or “GOD IS SALVATION.” That is, the name Jesus defines God specifically as a SAVIOR.
Why is this so important (as to get angelic instruction) and why is it crucial that this “Jesus” be “unpacked” in our holiday festivities? Four thoughts...
(I)
First, the name Jesus IDENTIFIES THE ILLNESS.
A great theologian once said: "If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and thus, he sent us a Savior.”
The name Jesus means SAVIOR and thus, to begin with, it tells us what we most need, namely: SALVATION. Salvation from what? Well, the angel has told Joseph (and us): “You shall name him Jesus – for he will save his people from their sins.” The problem is SIN – the barrier that stands between us and God, the brokenness in our relationship with our Creator.
The name Jesus begins by IDENTIFYING THE ILLNESS that plagues all humanity – it defines the disease that must be treated if there is ever to be wholeness. But, of course, right here the problem begins:
Most people want help from God, welcome it – indeed, most demand and expect it. We’re bugged with God if we don’t get it! What’s the old saying: “God created the world in a week; and then he began the next week by taking complaints!” We want help form God – expect it! But let’s face it, we don’t generally think of such help in terms of addressing sin. No, we may use that word here in church; but in “real life” that isn’t what matters - for us, it’s always externals: “Lord, heal my body. Lord, give me a good job. Lord, put money in my bank account. Lord, fix my marriage. Lord, straighten out my kids.”
To which Jesus says: “I long to do all of that. I can do it all! But to do any of that, to have any of it happen, you and I first have to work on the broken relationship between us. It all hinges on this. It all comes down to this!”
Salvation is offered; but, more often than not, it is refused! And if you don’t believe me, just think about your own life... How many times have you come here to church? How many Sundays? How many Christmases? How often have you come here – week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade... and the same problems plague you? You never seem to get anywhere? Why? Because we come so close but, in the end, we won’t let God get down to the real issue! We seek to treat only the symptoms of the illness not the disease itself! And thus, like a cancer it festers until it consumes all!
You know, salvation sounds like such a “sweet deal”: Jesus offers, as a free gift received through faith alone, to rescue us from our sin, restore us to a right relationship with our Creator, and give us life eternal. INTELLECTUALLY almost everyone wants this – I mean, who wouldn’t want to be rescued from their problems? Despite arguments to the contrary, the problem isn’t really so much intellectual; it’s more a question of WILL...
You see, the problem with salvation is that it reaches deeper than we want to go, it asks more of us than we wish to offer – specifically, it requires GIVING UP CONTROL. Essentially, to accept salvation in Jesus Christ is to say that there is fundamental problem deep within me that I cannot fix on my own. I need help. What’s the old saying? “We have met the enemy and it is us.” It is, in effect to say: “I cannot be trusted with myself. I cannot be left in charge of me. God alone can rescue me. I must surrender my way to his.”
A surrender in which, ironically, we become the victors in the battle, for in losing ourselves to God, our will becomes more powerful than it ever was! But all we can see on the surface is this LOSS OF CONTROL – this humility that says: “There is something I cannot do on my own. And this one thing is the most important thing! Life is beyond my grasp!”
But we fight this, tooth and nail. Every day, in a million ways large and small, we endlessly try to convince ourselves that, on our own, we can get a handle on this thing called life, on our terms, in charge of ourselves, in control, the way we want it. “Just need to eat right and exercise and I’ll be healthy... Just need to hustle a little more and I’ll be successful... Just need to read this book and I can fix my marriage... Just need to get more attractive and someone will love me... Just need to keep busy and I’ll get over this grief... Just need to try a little harder and I can finally beat this addiction... I can do this!”
Every day the same thing. And maybe, occasionally, we have our successes that encourage us; but invariably, somewhere along the line, reality gives us a “kick” to show us that it’s not really working. But we quickly turn a blind eye to this, convincing ourselves that’s an anomaly not the rule.
And thus, every day, people die to their addictions, they die in broken relationships; they die in anger and resentment and bitterness; they die in loneliness and pain and self loathing; they die in emptiness where there could have been fulfillment, in grief where there could have been joy, in separation where there could have been reconciliation - all because they would do anything but say, “I can’t do this. I’m going to have to put my life on God’s terms alone. Whatever that means for me.”
The name Jesus first tells us that there is a fundamental problem within us that we cannot fix on our own. Only he can. And if we are ever to get well; we have to go there. Basically: Do you want to finally really get somewhere in the problems of your life? Do you want to really get something out of this boring hour every week?! You’re here anyway, may as well get something out of it! Well then, first, want something, demand something, more from God than a friend, or a travelling companion, or an advisor, or a motivational speaker, or a shoulder to cry on, or a giant vending machine in the sky... Go deeper. Insist on a Savior! Treat the disease!
Preacher Wallace Chappell tells a story about a college student named Elizabeth who came home for Christmas one year after having been enlightened by a comparative religion course. She said to her pastor, “I am not interested in a God who saves me, I have no need of that; I am more attracted to a God who journeys with me – who identifies with me.” The wise pastor said, “Elizabeth, let me ask you a question. Imagine yourself on the 8th floor of a hotel here in Nashville, and the building catches on fire. The stairs are blocked by fire. Let’s suppose that firemen at great risk to themselves manage to climb extended ladders to your window. At that point, do you want those firemen to save you, or to just identify with you? Make no mistake, the situation is the same: sin has you at the verge of death, and you are helpless to save yourself. What do you want?”
The name Jesus first IDENTIFIES THE ILLNESS.
(II)
Secondly, it PROVIDES A PROMISE.
As stated, the name Jesus means “God is salvation” or “God saves.” Now, think about that...
As just noted, this name defines the problem that we are dealing with, namely: sin; and what our greatest need is, namely: a Savior. But notice that it doesn’t leave it there. It also tells us that God is ACTIVE on precisely this issue – that God IS this Savior! That is, notice that the name Jesus doesn’t mean “God may save” or “God would like to save but can’t” or “God occasionally saves” or “God can save but won’t.” No, the name means “God is salvation”, “God saves” – it is God’s very NATURE!
The name not only identifies the illness but PROVIDES A PROMISE: It tells us that God is fully AWARE of our sin but does not hold it against us; and is ACTIVELY WORKING to rescue us from whatever way that sin has a hold of, and is ruining, our lives! That we can count on this – base our lives upon it!
The name of Jesus is secondly a PROMISE – a promise that God is inviting us to take hold of. To claim the power of that name, it’s promise in our lives. That when your heart says, “The things I’ve done in my life are too bad, too evil, God could never love me!”; to say, “No, God is salvation. He knows all I’ve done and loves me anyway! Forgives all! It’s all gone!” Or when your heart says, “My life is too messed up. I’ve loused up my marriage, or my family, or my career, or my health too badly to ever have anything good again!”; to say: “No! God is salvation. And that means that God is working on whatever sin has done to me and can rescue me from it!” Can bring new, even better, life out of the most messed up bodies and relationships and marriages and families and careers... and souls!
Have you ever heard the story of the woman who was very afraid of flying? She couldn’t understand how a plane could stay up in the air with all that weight in it. Well, one day, her grandson, whom she loved dearly, invited her to come visit him at his home across the country. He sent along a plane ticket. The woman decided to brave it.
When she arrived at the other coats, her grandson greeted her at the airport. He asked how the flight was. She replied: “Well, it was okay. But I made a point never to put my full weight down in the seat!”
This is they a lot of Christians are in their faith: They know about Jesus but they won’t rest their full weight upon him!
It has been said: “There is no conceivable situation in which it is not safe to trust in Jesus.” The great Corrie ten Boom once remarked: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Claim the saving promise of Jesus’ name. It has the power to send running the evil that seeks take your life every day! Picture it this way:
About 40 years ago, United Methodist Bishop Woodie White found himself in a situation he never thought he would encounter. Ministering in the inner city, a man put a gun to his head. Needless to say, Bishop White was terrified, fear overtook him. But then, as he recalls, suddenly, without even thinking, he spoke the following words – he said simply: “Jesus, Jesus, have mercy.” And with that, he says, all his fear left him - and was transferred to his assailant – who, much to his surprise took off running!
Now, obviously, things don’t always turn out as dramatically as this; but the point Bishop White said he learned from this for all situations is this: That the name Jesus has the power to send evil running because it is a promise that says that God is fully aware of our sin and does not hold it against us; but rather, has come to show that sin who is boss! Claim this promise in your life! When the guilt shows up, when the hopelessness arises, when the despair takes over, when the fear overtakes you, when the self-loathing consumes you; say, “No! I have the promise of Jesus: God saves!”
The name of Jesus, secondly, PROVIDES A PROMISE. Which leads us into...
(III)
Thirdly then, it CALLS FOR COMPASSION.
Very simply: As mentioned, the name Jesus defines the problem facing all humanity, the illness we are all infected with. And the point is, obviously, that EVERYONE IS SUFFERING from this: sin and the need for salvation. We, thus, should treat everyone accordingly. That is, the name Jesus should change our whole perspective on life, how we live every day, how we treat everyone we come in contact with – how we should treat one another.
Just think about how often we tend to see the failings and wrongs and weaknesses of others as an annoyance. We pass judgment in a heartbeat. We condemn. We criticize. We have our own struggles that hinder us; but everyone else is just being lazy. They could do better if they only tried. We can spot a fault in another at 1,000 yards and we have no patience with it!
I’m reminded of the story of the woman who was Christmas shopping with her daughter. The crowds were awful. The woman had to skip lunch because she was on a tight schedule. Now she was tired, hungry, her feet were hurting, and she was more than a little irritable. As they left the last store, she asked her daughter, “Did you see the nasty look that salesman gave me?” Her daughter answered, “He didn’t give it to you, Mom. You had it when you went in.”
We have struggles. Everyone else is just a jerk. Yeah, right. Blind to others we are blind to ourselves.
The name of Jesus thirdly CALLS FOR COMPASSION. It reminds us to remember that everyone is struggling, that everyone has their own way that sin has hold of them. No one is exempt. Be kind – everybody is just barely holding on! Are we helping them along or adding to their burden?
A writer tells the true story of a couple, Norma and Tom, who moved into a small town in Massachusetts. One day, Norma grumbled to a neighbor about the poor service at the local library. She hoped that her friend would repeat her complaint. The next time Norma entered the library, the librarian was indeed all smiles and extremely helpful! Norma reported the miraculous change to her neighbor. “I suppose you told her how poor we thought the service was?” “No,” confessed her friend, “I hope you don’t mind, but I told her that you were greatly impressed at the way she had built up this small town library, and that you thought she showed great taste in the new books she ordered. I’m afraid any change was the result of kindness not criticism.”
Loving people into new life instead of vainly insisting on constantly despising them into it. It’s what Jesus did for us and what his name should remind us to do for all others.
The name of Jesus, thirdly, CALLS FOR COMPASSION. And finally...
(IV)
Fourth: it DEMANDS A DECISION.
Returning to where we began: The baby is born and Joseph names him Jesus as instructed. Think about just that act itself, and what it must have meant – from Joseph’s perspective...
As noted over the past few weeks, Joseph’s obedience to this angelic visitation has turned his life upside down. He’s had to put himself – his hopes, his plans – aside for the work of God. And here, one more time, even in the naming of the child he has to step aside. The first child of his family and he doesn’t even get to name him.
I can’t help but wonder: Is this a name he would have chosen?
It was a common name; but was it even on his list? Most couples, when they get married and look to start a family, begin thinking of possible names for their children. It’s an important part of their relationship and the creation of their family. Particularly, in those days, most children where given names that had some previous family connection. Was this even on the list?
Picture Joseph then having to answer for this name... You know, whenever a couple has a child and names them, what’s one of the first thing people ask? “Why did you choose that name?” How do you think Joseph replied to such inquiries? Did he just try to pass it off: “We thought it sounded nice”? Or did he dig a little deeper: “I felt God tell me to name him this”? Or did he tell the whole story: “This child is to save the world from their sin”?
Whatever, this name was always before him from here on out: Every day calling his son into the workshop to help with some project, teaching him the art of carpentry. Father son stuff; but that name reminding him he’s not his. Hearing him called by his friends and neighbors. Mary calling to her son. This constant reminder, endlessly before him, of the path he had chosen – the DECISION HE HAD MADE. One decision that changed all the rest of his decisions. And that, you see, is the final point here:
The name of Jesus finally marks a DECISION one man made 2,000 years ago – a lifetime commitment that resulted in a Savior being born to him. This same decision being required of every person ever since if they too hope to experience this Savior born into their lives!
Plainly stated: Many people finally never experience salvation because they never make a formal decision to claim Jesus as their Savior! Oh, they come real close: They go to church every Sunday, they sing the hymns, they put money in the plate, they say their prayers every day. They think about Jesus, they talk about Jesus, they read about Jesus. They do everything but decide for Jesus! They believe that’s enough. But they avoid any actual commitment, the actual decision, and thus, despite all the trappings, salvation is far from them – and most sadly of all, they fail to realize it! They believe the weak, pale imitation of salvation they know is the real thing – when it’s not!
As we’ve noted in the past – as the great evangelist Billy Sunday used to say: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going into your garage makes you a car!” (And trust me, those of you who know me - with that garage thing... I’ve tried!)
Make no mistake: Jesus will not, and cannot, force his way into any life; he must be invited, he must be welcomed. Salvation requires, at some point in your life, getting down on your knees and saying, “Lord, Jesus Christ, I give my life to you. You are my Savior.” It requires not just thinking about this but actually doing it! It requires making this formal commitment, this decision. And then it requires constantly making this same decision a million times every day from there on out – in every word, every action, every thought – DECIDING FOR JESUS: What does he want? What does he say? What is he about?
Have you ever made that decision? Or are you hoping to just “catch” salvation by getting near to Jesus? Maybe it will just “rub off” on you. Maybe he’ll sneeze on you and you’ll get it. Well, you can catch the FLU by getting near somebody who has it; but you don’t “catch” salvation – you have to decide for it! We all come into this life pre-immunized with a “resist salvation” shot – and it’s called SIN!
Understand, this is the “A,B,C’s of Salvation”: A – ACKNOWLEDGE. Acknowledge your sinfulness. Give that to God – how sin has a hold of you and you’re helpless. B – BELIEVE. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that his death and resurrection has forgiven all your sin and restored you to a right relationship with God. Refuse any voice that says otherwise. And C – COMMIT. Commit your life to Jesus Christ – live for nothing but him.
When you think about the name Jesus, finally think not only of what that name means; but the one who gave him that name and what it meant to him: A decision. A decision that resulted in lifetime commitment.
One author writes:
It was Christmas Eve and a man’s wife and children were getting ready to go to church. He wasn’t going. “I’ve heard about Jesus my whole life,” he said to his wife. “But so what. It’s just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that means nothing. Especially Christmas - I simply can’t understand what Christmas is all about, this claim that God became man. Anyway, who cares. I have real problems to deal with. Let’s see God do something about that.”
It had been snowing all day and it was beginning to snow harder as the man’s family rode off to church without him. He drew a chair up to the fireplace and began to read his newspaper.
A few minutes later, there was a thudding sound at the kitchen window. When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds out in the back yard. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter, were trying to fly through the kitchen window. He was a very kind man so he tried to think of something he could do so the birds wouldn’t freeze. “The barn!” he thought. That would be a nice shelter.
He put on his coat and overshoes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn and opened the door wide and turned on the light. But the birds didn’t come in. Food will bring them in he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail to the barn.
But the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around waving his arms. They scattered in every direction except into the warm, lighted barn. "They find me a strange and terrifying creature," he said to himself, "and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me."
Puzzled and dismayed, he pondered this thought, “If only I could be a bird myself for the moment, perhaps I could lead them to safety.” If only I could be a bird myself...
Just then the church bells began to ring, pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. The man stood silently for a minute, then sank to his knees in the snow.
“Now I understand,” he whispered as he lifted his gaze to the sky. “You became like me to save me and I have been running from you. Please, help me!” He knelt in the snow and that night gave himself to Jesus. And with that, the man rushed off to church, and joining his wife and family in the pew, they all wept for joy. And nothing was ever the same again.

It is written that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
A Savior. The name JESUS identifies the illness, provides a promise, calls for compassion, and finally: DEMANDS A DECISION. This Advent season, this week, this morning... this very moment: Make that decision. Commit your life to Jesus; recommit yourself to him... and be saved! Celebrate the true Christmas!

The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 2

The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 2:
“A Love Story”
Matthew 1:18-24
Rev. Clark Lynn Callender, 12/12/10

So, how’s the holiday season going for you so far? Fun, frantic... Relaxing, stressful... All of the above?!
Perhaps, a little more pointedly: Is this a time of year you normally look forward to, or dread?
I suppose it’s probably safe to say that, for most people, it’s something of a combination of the two: A time of great emotion and longing and hope; but also – what with all the pressures and franticness and costliness, the crowds, people rushing around, traffic, pushiness, just all the unresolved problems and pain it dregs up – a time when the hoped for joy is often lost in the mix.
Well, would you like to experience a truly deep and meaningful Christmas – the real meaning of Christmas: the actual presence of the living Christ born into your life, pushing out the distractions, instead of the other way around?
Pastoral counselor Bob Perks offers the following reflection on his own struggles during the holiday season – and the answer he’s found. He writes:
“This year I have been on a special mission. I call it ‘the search for the real Christmas.’ Every year I want so much out of this time, to truly experience Christ in my heart, yet it always seems to elude me. Well...
“My search recently took me to a local church where I sat pondering the meaning of it all. After about ten minutes a father and young child about five years old walked in breaking the silence and disrupting my meditative state. In reality, the peace and quiet had nearly lulled me off to sleep.
“’Daddy, look the manger!’ the young boy said. ‘Is that Santa over there?’ he asked pointing to one of the three wise men.
“’No, son. They are the Three Kings bringing presents to Jesus,’ replied Dad.
“’Christmas presents?’ inquired the boy.
“’No,’ replied the father. ‘I guess you can say they are birthday presents. Remember we told you that Christmas is really our celebration of the birth of Jesus.’
“The young boy paused for a moment seemingly satisfied with Dad’s answer. But then, as children will so often do, he asked the unanswerable question that warms your heart ... and, unfortunately, puts you in your place.
“’Daddy, what are we giving Jesus for His birthday this year?’
“Silence. Then drawing on the wisdom of the ages and the creative parental genes that make us all what we are, Daddy said... ‘I don’t know. Ask your Mother.’
“They left right after that. Peace and quiet returned to this great sanctuary leaving me to think about what that child had to say. If I were there that sacred evening drawn by the light of the star of Bethlehem what gift would I offer Him?
“I really had no idea. First, I can’t begin to imagine kneeling before Him in the presence of Joseph and Mary. But a gift from me to Jesus? What thing of value could I possible give to my Lord?
“This was a thought that overwhelmed me. I pride myself in having the ability to at least come up with options, choices for people who share their personal problems with me. But the thought of me having anything that Jesus would want brought tears of sadness, for I felt I had nothing to offer Him.
“So I did what the young child had done earlier. I turned to my Father and asked... ‘Lord what could I possibly offer your Son as a gift? I really have nothing of value.’
“I sat quietly and totally oblivious to the world. A small voice inside my soul said ‘The same thing He gave you. His Life! Give Him your life. Not sacrificed on a cross. But lived - among all his children - to honor Him.’
“I wept openly.”
A great scholar once said: “Christmas is based entirely upon an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son; and in response, the gift of man to God - when we present our lives as a living sacrifice.”
The “heart” of the true Christmas – something so obvious yet that so often gets lost amidst all the activity and franticness – and with it Christmas itself: a BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS celebrated by GIVING TO HIM. An “exchange of gifts”!
Is he even on our shopping lists?
Is this, perhaps, why true Christmas often eludes us?
Do you want to celebrate a fantastic Christmas? Remember whose birthday party it is and put him at the head of the list.
What are you giving to Jesus this Christmas? What does Jesus want from you? This is something of what I’d like to reflect upon this morning...

Today we pick up the story of “Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph” where we left off two weeks ago:
Joseph is engaged to Mary but she is found to be expecting a child – not Joseph’s. He’s wrestling with what to do about this, when in the midst of his struggle an angel visits him in a dream telling him that it is okay to go ahead with the marriage. And in the close of our reading today we’re told that, “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, he took Mary as his wife.”
Now, this is stated rather matter-of-factly, almost like it’s no big deal; but obviously, this is a very big deal! This is a huge step. With this one move his life, and the life of the whole world, will change dramatically forever! This is a wild dream and a crazy course of direction to take. What causes him to go ahead with this?
Well, some say it’s his great faith, others say it’s just blind obedience; but I say it’s LOVE. That is...
The Bible doesn’t tell us anything about the relationship between Mary and Joseph: how they met each other, how they felt about each other. We have only conjecture. And now, maybe it’s just the hopeless romantic inside me, but... I believe Joseph was DEEPLY IN LOVE with Mary. Why do I say this? Simple: Because he had to be in order to accept this crazy dream!
Let’s face it, most of us would have passed-off this late night angelic vision to indigestion or to just the strange workings of the subconscious mind; but Joseph doesn’t. He acts upon it. He chooses to make it his whole life. Why? Because I believe he DESPERATELY WANTED to believe it, that he was frantically searching for some reason, any reason, to go ahead with the marriage. So he’ll take whatever he can get – no matter how bizarre!
What’s the old saying? “Love is often blind. But in some cases it’s also just plain deaf, dumb, and stupid!”
You’ve got to be crazy in love to accept this crazy dream!
I believe that this is one of the great LOVE STORIES in human history! Joseph acts out of love for Mary and in this gives us something of the MODEL OF LOVE – not only for a husband and wife, but for a CHRISTIAN: sacrificial, selfless, hopeful, merciful, compassionate!
In this simple act – “Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, he took Mary as his wife” – in this, Joseph gives Mary a profound GIFT OF LOVE; and in this, in effect, he GIVES TO GOD, he gives TO JESUS, an overwhelming gift – a Christmas gift, the Christmas gift - and this opens Joseph’s life up to the full experience of our living Savior.
And that’s the point: Christmas, first and foremost and always, is a birthday party for Jesus. The way you celebrate it is by giving to him. What do you give him? Gifts of love. How do you give this? By giving to his people, his children, his world.
What specific GIFTS OF LOVE might we give him? Well, from Joseph’s example, a few suggestions to consider this Christmas season...
(I)
First, the gift of love we can offer Jesus this Christmas is the gift of IMMEDIACY.
As mentioned, when Joseph awoke, it says: “he did as the angel commanded him.” Notice that it doesn’t say that that he spent the next few weeks debating it, discussing it and weighing the pros and cons with his friends and family; or that he just contemplated it and ended up doing what he had planned to do in the first place. No, he just acted, right away, on what he felt the Lord had placed upon his heart - and in this he thus he gave to Jesus and experienced Jesus. This is the first lesson here:
God is continually working on all of us – calling us to action, inviting us to participation in his work – because this is where he is best found. Invariably, every single one of us in this room – every single one! – has had some way where we have felt God working on our hearts – maybe recently, maybe for a long time. Maybe pushing us to get in touch with someone we haven’t seen in a long time; or to give to some charity that moves us; or to reach out to some person at work or at school who seems to be having trouble; or to get involved in some cause at church or in the community. Something God has placed upon our hearts.
Unfortunately, however, so often, we push this off - we delay, we debate, we rationalize, we forget - we do everything but actually ACT upon it; and thus the experience of Christ – if not the entire moment itself – is lost.
Don’t get me wrong: There’s a time for contemplation; but there is just also a time for ACTION; and one of the first things we learn from Joseph is that one of the greatest gifts we can give to Jesus is to simply, ACT upon whatever God has placed upon our hearts! Just do it! The gift of IMMEDIACY in which Christ is found!
You know, I recently read that, a number of years ago, a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania had a rather surprising start to the holiday season. As with most churches (like our own), on the Saturday before the start of Advent, the church members decorated the sanctuary for the season.
Well, this particular year, the pastor took charge of decorating the tree. And when everyone came in to church on Sunday morning, they were shocked by what they discovered:
The entire tree was decorated with nothing but Styrofoam balls painted black with little handles and fuses on them. They looked like grenades or bombs! The congregation was appalled, they were livid! “This is Christmas, you’re not supposed to have bombs on a Christmas tree! Time for a new pastor! Talk about ruining Christmas!” Well, amidst the furor, the pastor explained:
For many years there had been a mission project that many people felt moved to get involved in: In Laos there are many unexploded land mines and bombs left in the ground years after the warfare there. These hidden munitions continue to kill many people every year – especially children playing in the fields. The congregation had some connections over there and had for many years talked of doing something; but no action had ever taken place. So the pastor put the following challenge before the congregation. He said:
“For every $10 donated to this cause – to pay for bomb-removal workers, we will remove one bomb from the tree and replace it with a dove. If you don’t like the tree, change it! It is within your power to do so. Let’s quit talking about it and finally do it!”
Long story short: Before the end of the service more than enough money was donated to remove all the bombs from the tree and replace them all with doves. The congregation finally did something, gave a tremendous gift to Jesus and celebrated a fantastic Christmas!
What has God placed upon your heart? Quit putting it off and just do it!
The first Christmas Gift of Love we can give Jesus: IMMEDIACY.
(II)
The second possible gift: SURRENDER.
Returning to the text: Joseph awakes and does as he is commanded, and as we noted two weeks ago: This obedience involves really letting go of so much of what he had planned for his life; how he saw things should go. It required PUTTING HIMSELF ASIDE, GIVING WAY – SURRENDERING himself - to the will of God. And this points us to our second lesson here, namely:
How are fighting God, resisting God’s will for our lives? Refusing to give way to God and thus God’s presence is kept at arm’s length? How is God calling us to surrender our will – to make that change we know we need to make: To let go of some bitterness deep with us; in that broken relationship to go and apologize or forgive; to face up to that sin or temptation that plagues us and truly repent; to quit insisting that everything be as we decide it must be?
You know, there’s an ancient Christmas fable that says that, in the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born, once the birth had occurred and the Holy Family had finally moved on, that none of the animals would eat out of the manger (the feeding trough) in which our Savior had lay. And as the story goes: Witnessing this, the stable hand went to discover what was wrong. And as he looked into the manger, he discovered that the wisps of hay that had cradled Jesus had turned into gold!
Now this, of course, is just a fable; but the factual point it makes is this: That when you really come into contact with Jesus you change – you cannot stay the same! You are transformed into his glory!
How are we resisting this? Our will against his? Refusing to change! How do we need to give way, to SURRENDER, that his beauty might take hold of us. To quit saying: “This is what’s wrong with the world, this is what’s wrong with other people, this is what needs to change outside of me.” But rather: “This is what is wrong with me and this is what I am going to give to Jesus this Christmas to change in me.”
Humbly give way to the will of God. Author Robert Fulghum, in his book, All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, offers the following reflection – he writes:
“One year I didn’t receive many Christmas cards. One fetid February afternoon this trouble-making realization actually came to me out of the back room in my head that is the source of useless information. Guess I needed some reason to really feel crummy, so there it was. But I didn’t say anything about it. I can take it. I am tough. I won’t complain when my cheap friends don’t even care enough to send me a stupid Christmas card. I can do without love. Right.”
Fulghum goes on to write that the following August rummaging through the attic he found a whole box of unopened greeting cards from the previous Christmas. Apparently he had just tossed them in a box, to look at later, and in the Christmas panic he forgot them! He concludes:
“Just to help, I put a tape of Christmas carols on the portable stereo and cranked up the volume. Here (in August) it all was. Angels, snow, Wise Men, candles and pine trees, horses and sleighs, the Holy Family, elves and Santa. Heavy messages about love and joy and peace and goodwill. If that wasn’t enough, there were all those handwritten messages of affection from my cheap friends who had, in fact, come through for the holidays.
“I cried. Seldom have I felt so bad and so good at the same time. So wonderfully rotten, so elegantly sad, so profoundly humble.”
Realizing that problem wasn’t outside of him; but within – and loved into new life. The gift given us at Christmas and the gift we can offer in return.
The second Christmas Gift of Love we can give Jesus: SURRENDER. And finally…
(III)
A third possible gift: EMBRACE.
One last time: “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, he took Mary as his wife.”
Now, if you think this is a big deal for Joseph, imagine what an even bigger deal this is for Mary: This poor young teenage girl, the weight of the world placed upon her, in grave danger, about to be walked out upon, to be left all alone. At best to be viewed as insane; at worst, a sinner – rejected, abused, killed.
But into this, Joseph here steps up and, in effect, says to her; “I believe you. I believe God is at work within you. You are good. You are valuable.” He quite literally saves her life! And this is the final lesson here:
There are people who need to hear the same from us. This holiday season we will all come into contact with people whose lives are falling apart, on the way out, and we can offer what Joseph does – some way of saying – in a gift, a word, an action: “I believe you. I believe God loves you and is at work within you. You are good. You are valuable enough for me to risk myself for that you in some may will go on with the difficult path of your life.” It’s the greatest gift we can offer Jesus. Will we offer it? One author writes:
“Large churches have their pluses and minuses, as do small ones. I am thankful I have been a part of both.
“When our children were in their teen years, our family worshiped at the 11 PM Christmas eve service. The hush of the congregation as candles were lit at the close of the service, along with singing of Silent Night is still - to this day - a very sweet memory for me.
“However, time marches on, and now we spend the holidays with grandchildren, and we are blessed to attend the Children’s Service the day before Christmas. This year the church was jam packed. What a praise to God that each parent exhibited - getting their family to church during the last minute bustle of the season! Well, the pace was lively, the music delightful, the overhead screen depicting Charlie Brown reading Luke 2, and the candles lit at the end of the service – once again - as we sang Silent Night.
“I noticed a man who arrived late. He had no children with him, and I wondered - had he just seen the cars outside the church and been draw in? Here, on the day before Christmas, had the Holy Spirit guided this man to come and sit in His house of worship? The latecomer’s appearance was rather unkempt. Clothes disheveled, soaked by the pouring rain outside. It looked like he had been crying. I didn’t know what was going on with him, but he was a mess. As he made his way down the aisle looking for a seat, most of the people present seemed to give him a look of ‘What are you doing here?’ And, ‘Please don’t sit near me.’ You could feel the rejection.
“Finally, he squeezed in at the end of a pew, next to a very well groomed man wearing a suit who was sitting with his family. Before long, it was the end of the service - time to light the candles and sing Silent Night. The late arriver had no candle, as they had all been distributed. I was about to act when I saw that the well groomed man had looked to his left and noticed the situation. With that, he gave his candle to this man. Their eyes met; a smile formed on each face; and they held the candle together as they sang – and I witnessed the love of Jesus in action.
“After the service I noticed them talking and exchanging business cards. I later learned that the man’s wife had just died that night in a traffic accident on her way home from work, and the last word between them was an argument.
“He was coming apart at the seams; but someone held out the light of Christ to him.
“That Christmas Eve, as I sat and observed all this, I thought, God bless them both. One gave; one received. And God looked down... and it was Christmas.”

“Christmas is based entirely upon an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son; and in response, the gift of man to God - when we present our lives as a living sacrifice.”
Have a truly fantastic Christmas – what it is meant to be. Remember whose birthday it is, make sure to put him at the head of your “shopping list”. Give a Gift of Love to Jesus – give immediacy, surrender, and embrace.