As we hear what God is doing, we begin to realize how true freedom and joy in this life are not about managing our reality but, like Joseph, about faithfully receiving what God is doing.
This text comes as a breath of fresh air to the people of God. Just a few days before the celebration of Christmas, amid all the hectic obligations and never-ending “to-do” lists, we are invited to hear the Christmas story from Matthew’s Gospel. Because Luke’s telling of the birth of Christ is the one usually read on Christmas Eve, featured in children’s Nativity programs and regularly echoed in our hymns and carols, our text allows the preacher to explore themes that often go unnoticed during this frantic time of the year.
Joseph is the featured character, and though we do not know much about him, most of what we do recognize comes from this passage. We learn he is a just or righteous (δίκαιος) man. On top of that, he was kind, not wanting to publicly shame Mary when he found out she was pregnant. He also proves to be faithful to the role assigned to him by an angel of the Lord. In fact, Joseph’s role in this story may prove to be a delightful connection for your listeners, for while he is featured, he is clearly not the one directing the story. He is faithful, but he is faithful as a passive receiver of the divine will of God.
Big celebrations like Christmas are times when many feel they have little or no control over the pressures placed on them. Sitting before you this Sunday will be people who are exhausted and frustrated. This is an unsettling way to live, and much of man’s angst and desire is driven by the attempt to regain some control. In one way or another, humanity’s control is expressed in the category of the Law. The Law concerns our effort, boundaries, and expectations. It is the organizing principles by which we conduct most of our lives. While the Law does not provide us with what is necessary to remain in control, it often gives us a sense we are making progress, that tomorrow will be better than today.
He is faithful, but he is faithful as a passive receiver of the divine will of God.
It might be worthwhile to explore with your congregation the different ways we seek to be the leading actors in our circumstances. You could move from more general attempts to organize a life, such as work/home balance or establishing good personal boundaries, which everyone would see as good and useful, and then toward things that might impinge on one’s faith and worship. These are the temptations to stand over the Word rather than to receive it, to pick and choose which correction you will receive and which you will ignore. It is the desire to exclude particular neighbors from your charity because the situation is too difficult or exhausting. Ask yourself what law your congregation has established, either intentionally or simply through habit and time, and is perpetuated because it gives a sense of healthy regulation.
Then it is time to turn to the text, go to Joseph and the realization that only God is in control. And as we hear what God is doing, we begin to realize how true freedom and joy in this life are not about managing our reality but, like Joseph, about faithfully receiving what God is doing. The whole proclamation of the angel is dripping with the Gospel. The child conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit, and she will bear a son. Not only is Joseph told to marry her, but he is also instructed what to name this child: Jesus! It is a name which literally means, “Yahweh saves.” Of course, this is precisely what the Christ will do, He will save His people from their sins.
You can take your hearers through the great working of God in their lives. What better image is there of being a passive recipient of God’s work than your own baptism? What did they contribute to that moment? What did their plans or patterns of living add to what God was doing? God’s saving work is outside of our control, and that is a good thing. And here, on this day, God’s great work has been named Immanuel, which means “God with us.” A sermon on this text would do well to drive home this point above all others. That even in the midst of all the crazy obligations and pressure, God is with them, God is for them, for their forgiveness, and for their salvation. This is the real reason for the season!
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Matthew 1:18-25.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Matthew 1:18-25.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
