Hearing Good News!
But after Joseph had considered divorcing Mary quietly, 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”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife… And he gave him the name Jesus. – Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph heard news that didn’t sound good at the time, Mary was pregnant. It wasn’t his baby. What would he do? He decided to divorce her quietly until he had his own angelic visitation. Good news is only good if we see it from the proper perspective. The news that Mary was pregnant was truly good news. It meant that Immanuel, (God with us) was coming. But from Joseph’s perspective it would forever change his family. This was NOT what he had planned.
Today I am having surgery to remove my gall bladder. This IS good news! I have been suffering with digestive problems for over 3 years and I am hoping and praying that this will alleviate some of my pain and discomfort. But the timing of the surgery is somewhat problematic. As you are well aware, the Advent season began last Sunday, Nov 30, and it’s a bit of a busy time in the life of the church. When the surgeon told me the first available date for my procedure was December 2nd I didn’t think it was very good news at all!
I don’t have time for surgery and recovery in DECEMBER! I’m a pastor! It might be the “Most wonderful time of the year…” but it’s also crazy hectic with church, and school, and sports, and Christmas concerts, and programs, and gifts, and parties, and… and… and… God shows up in the fullness of time. In God’s time, He makes all things beautiful. Immanuel, God is with us. THAT is good news, Jesus is the reason for this season. And if my house doesn’t get decorated exactly like I had expected, or gifts aren’t wrapped and sent on time, or meals aren’t as fancy as I had hoped… It is STILL good news! This week we focus on the advent candle of Peace. My prayer for myself and for all of us is that the Prince of Peace will inhabit our hearts and give us peace that passes understanding. Let’s hear good news this Christmas.
Pray: O God of still waters and quiet strength, we confess how often our lives are restless. Our hearts race, our hands grasp, our voices quicken with fear. Forgive us. Yet you breathe calm into chaos; you steady our steps on uneven ground. Grant us your peace, O Christ, not as the world gives, but as you alone provide. Amen.
