Mary and Joseph
Sunday 13th December
Text: Matthew: 1: 18-25
The writer of Matthew’s Gospel picks up the story. The writer assumes that the reader is aware of the earlier events: that Mary and Joseph were engaged and that Mary was pregnant. Although Joseph was aware of Mary’s pregnancy he wasn’t aware that her pregnancy had occurred following Gabriel’s message from God.
The story begins with the claim that Joseph was a descendent of King David’s family. Having heard the news that Mary was pregnant, Joseph decided to call off the wedding. Joseph was known as a good man. According to the laws of the land he was officially Mary’s husband. The news of her pregnancy before they had a physical relationship placed both of them in a difficult position. If he decided to divorce Mary, as an unwed mother she would have faced the condemnation of society. Joseph was uneasy with his decision.
While Joseph was asleep an angel came to him in a dream with a message from God. The angel advised him to marry Mary, that the baby she was carrying came from the Holy Spirit. Joseph continued to be silent. The angel went on to explain that the baby was to be named Jesus and that the child would grow and save people from their sins. That God’s promise would come true.
Joseph woke up after the angel left. He married Mary. After the baby was born Joseph named him Jesus although he was not the biological father of the child. In naming the baby Joseph legally adopted Jesus as his son, making him a descendent in the line of King David. By doing so Jesus was also placed the historical genealogies recorded in the Gospels.
Ponder: In this encounter with the angel Mary did not speak. Joseph listens to the angel in silence and then acts.
What do you suppose they talked about after the angel departed?
Monday 14th Dec,
Ponder – Good: Joseph was identified as a good man.
What qualities do you recognize in a person you would call ‘ good’?
Tuesday 15th December
Ponder – Dream: Joseph’s dream conversation with the angel calmed his fear and led him into making a decision.
Do you have dreams that sometimes help you to make a decision?
Wednesday 16th December
Ponder – Decision: Joseph’s decision to marry Mary was as a response to God’s message to him.
How often do you pray to God when you are faced with difficult decisions?
Thursday 17th December
Ponder – Law: As a good law abiding man Joseph acted against the Law when he married a pregnant Mary.
Are there times when you feel caught between human need and the Laws of the land?
Friday 18th December
Ponder – Silence: The angel speaks as God’s messenger while Joseph and Mary listen unquestioningly.
Do you find it difficult to stay silent when caught in a situation that you find uncomfortable?
Saturday 19th December
Decisions – A Contemporary Story
Dave was in shock. “What do I do?” He felt frozen. His mind raced with questions. He could hear the voice of his Oncologist and see the face of the nurse standing by. He heard those words again: “I am so sorry. The prognosis is not good.” Slowly he came down to reality. He needed to take control of himself. He needed to make plans. Mostly he needed to go home to Alice.
Alice and he needed to talk, to make plans for her and their baby she was carrying. He felt the tears in his eyes as he recalled the day three months ago when they learnt that they were expecting a child. He could hear Alice saying that they needed to get married soon. “ I don’t want my parents to know. They will never understand.”
In the days that followed Dave wondered what they should do. Should they get married before people noticed that Alice was pregnant? Could they afford a larger apartment? How would he balance his work travel and help with a baby?
When Alice made the decision that they would have a small wedding with only their families present he hadn’t argued. He recalled how hard it had been to explain the rush to his family. Now they knew. And now he had to break the news to all of them that Alice would be left as a single Mum if the Oncologist was right. Dave was not a church goer, but wondered if he should start praying to God. His parents were devout Christians who would talk about answered prayer when there was a crisis. He wondered.
He arrived home and heard Alice calling out from the kitchen. He replied that he needed a shower. He stood under the hot shower and realised how cold he felt inside him. He didn’t have the courage to talk with Alice. To share how out of control he felt as he thought of the future. Mostly That he would not be around to support and care for her and their child. He walked towards the kitchen. He felt numb.
Ponder:
Two good people facing unexpected events that could have far reaching consequences for them and their unborn child.
How would you conclude this story?