TO AN UNSUNG HERO OF CHRISTMAS
MATTHEW 1:19-25
MATTHEW 1:19-25 NKJV
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
OBSERVATION:
Most of the attention at Christmas goes to Mary and the Christ child. And deservedly so. Angels, shepherds, and wise men also play a major role.
But the unsung hero of Christmas is Joseph. Joseph, not the natural father of Jesus, has been relegated to the sidelines in the Christmas narrative. But Joseph had a major role.
He was the one who did not want to shame Mary even though, by appearances, she had been unfaithful to him.
He was the one who believed the words of the angel in revealing that Mary had conceived by the Holy Spirit. Others had balked at angel's messages, but he never argued.
He also obeyed the words of God's angel by taking Mary to be his wife. And when the child was born, Joseph was the one who named Him Jesus.
We refer to how challenging the conception and birth of Jesus had to be for Mary. But we must acknowledge that Mary had a great support system in Joseph.
The scriptures call Joseph an upright man. He had to have shown admirable character to be chosen as the man who would be so involved in raising Jesus.
APPLICATION:
In today's celebrity culture, we tend to exalt the visible superstars. And yet even with our most celebrated, there are typically those in the background offering support and strength.
So this Christmas, let's remember the Josephs! The ones who don't get the glory and yet play such important roles.
The ones who are always there for us. The ones who don't clamor for attention. The ones content to serve and bless others. The ones who truly are the unsung heroes of our lives.
Merry Christmas, and may you experience God's goodness and strength throughout this season and in the year to come.