An Angel Comes to Mary and Joseph

An Angel Comes to Mary and Joseph

Matthew 1-2; Luke 2

            An angel spoke to Mary that she would bear the Son of God.

An angel came to Joseph  in a dream to keep Mary as his intended wife because the baby she was now carrying was not his but the Son of God. An angel tells the shepherds not to be afraid because what they want to share with them is that Jesus is born. Jesus, the One whom God sent to save the people. But who is Joseph and Mary and just what was their relationship before angels were involved?

            Mary was a young girl- early teenager- who was engaged to Joseph a carpenter. Joseph found out that she was pregnant and knowing that he was not the father had planned to break off the marriage. Under many circumstances this sounded reasonable. But during his sleep- not when he is fully aware, but when resting an angel tells him about Mary and God’s involvement in her pregnancy. He is told to take Mary as his wife and they are to become a family. He is told the truth and this made a difference in Jesus’ life as he was raised. Joseph is a good and faithful man. Mary and Joseph do have other children but Joseph is a righteous and good man as he takes upon himself, the wonder and joy of raising Jesus from an infant- protecting him and teaching him his faith.

            Mary’s conception of Jesus as a virgin fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. “Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel- God is with us.” But is it really important to people today of the relationship Mary and Joseph had before his birth? 

Isaiah prophesied many years before that God would send a messiah to save His people from their sins. As Jesus’ birth story is told there are many details which reveal God’s love for us as He planned Jesus\ incarnation to be the birth event to note; just like God planned Jesus’ death as the One to experience. Because Jesus rises to new life there is hope in all things. But we must choose. As we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth this Christmas are you preparing yourself for the peace which comes in Christ or are you walking a different road away from the manger? Advent is about a choice in how we live personally and individually, nationally and internationally—how we share the peace of Christ with our brothers and sisters around the world..

             

REFLECTION:

A country Christmas song is entitled, “There’s a New Kid in Town”. The chorus

has the following lyrics:

There's a new kid in town
And he's lying in a manger down the road
There's a new kid in town
But he's just another baby I suppose
Heaven knows
There's a new kid in town
Here in Bethlehem

A question raised is—is Jesus the new baby born in Bethlehem- just another baby? Or does this Baby- this Infant Holy, hold a special place in your heart and life as your Saviour? This is Jesus- the promised messiah born for you.. How will you respond?

PRAYER

Holy God we praise you for Jesus, born in a stable loved by Joseph and Mary and recognized by others as a special infant—not just another baby-. Help us O God to worship and praise you as we strive to understand why you gave us Jesus. Help us to live and love him as we learn more about his life and teachings. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This reflection is based upon ideas of by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.  The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really teach About Jesus’ Birth. New York: Harper One,1989, p.99-127, ch.5.

Please note: there will not be a reflection on Dec 24 31. Enjoy your Christmas time and reflect on God’s wonderful gift to you! Next reflection will continue with this book and on Christ’s light.