Share Hope

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
-Matthew 1:18-23

This past week has been a bit overwhelming as I prepare for four funerals between December 7 and January 4. In the Presbyterian Church we call our services a Witness to the Resurrection. It is a reminder that the life of the loved one who has passed that we are celebrating is not truly over.  It has simply changed. It is a reminder that God is with us through the pain and heartache of this world.  And that God prepares a place for us in the next.

When Joseph heard the angel’s words, “do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.” He was comforted and believed that what Mary and the angel told him about this child was true. He took Mary home to be his wife and raised this child as his own.

Matthew also reminds us of the words of Isaiah, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). God is with us in the worst moment of our lives. God is with us in uncertain times. God is with us in celebrations. God is with us. That is the promise and hope of Christmas. That is the witness to the resurrection. God is with us.

God calls us to share this promise with the people around us. They may be feeling forgotten by God. They may struggle to see God’s presence. Reminding them that God is with us is the most powerful way to share hope with other people.

Lord, Without joy, we have no fulfillment to our lives. As we continue the season of Advent, we wait in joyful anticipation of the happiness the Christ-child will bring to a world that needs it so desperately. Forgive us for the things we have done and for the things we have left undone which rob others of your joy. We seek to live as a people of joy that share it with everyone we encounter. Empower us to bless others with the happiness we have in Jesus Christ. Amen.