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Introduction to Worship for 12/18/2016

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This week, we celebrate the fourth Sunday in Advent. As we prepare for Christmas, we hear the story of Joseph’s surprising preparation and change of heart. Joseph plays an important role in this birth story, providing support, protection, and naming the child yet to be “God with us.”

Matthew 1:18-25

The gospel of Matthew tells Joseph’s side of the story of Jesus’ birth. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus and, equally, God chose Joseph to care for them. Joseph had a difficult choice to make. His fiancée was pregnant. Had Joseph chosen to accuse Mary, the traditional punishments could have meant ostracism, or death. This story is marked with human vulnerability. Mary is in a fragile position. She could lose her fiancé, her family, her reputation, her life. Joseph was confronted with a difficult reality. This was probably not how he imagined starting out his marriage. What emotions might he have experienced? Anger, fear, shame, guilt, broken trust, confusion? Joseph did not want to hurt Mary. The help of the angel who comes to him in a dream offers guidance and reassurance. Joseph takes a risk and courageously chooses to protect Mary and the baby. From Joseph, we learn about choosing to ground our lives in faithful obedience and righteous action. Some biblical commentators have solved the paternity paradox of Joseph by concluding that Matthew must be presuming that the Christmas miracle included not only Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit, but also, inexplicably, the incorporation of Jesus into Joseph’s family. Joseph naming Jesus is a clue. In doing so, Joseph becomes Jesus’ father and acknowledges that Jesus is his son. By Joseph’s “yes” to God’s plan, Jesus becomes part of the line of David fulfilling the Hebrew scripture that the messiah comes from the Davidic line.

God’s grace guided Joseph and Mary to find courage to say, “yes” and take a risk to make the way for God possible. We are all participants in God’s dream for the world. As we ready ourselves to receive again this gift of Christmas, how is God’s grace calling and strengthening us to live more faithfully with open hearts and in right relationship with ourselves, others, and creation?

When in our lives have we felt conflicted like Joseph? When have we had a softening of our hearts? How does God work in us and through us to shift our perspectives and open our hearts? What might this Advent season be birthing in us?

Family activity (can be adapted to families of all ages)

  1. Cut heart shapes out of construction or other colorful paper
  2. Take a heart and write the words “God is with you and God loves you” on it. You can also write the words “Emmanuel means God is with us” on it.
  3. Decorate it with the markers or crayons. 3. Fold it so that it fits in an envelope. 
  4. Write a person’s name on the outside. 
  5. Make two or more of the “love letters.” 
  6. Deliver the hearts to the people whose names are on the envelopes. 


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