Sermon - 2013-12-22

From the very beginning, the Jewish people gathered together and were given the law of God. The law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. From this time they heard, learned, and understood the law that God was calling them to live out. Yet this law was given to them to love, to care for one another, to share love with one another. They were to have a good and healthy relationship with all whom they encountered. But the people soon forgot. They were not able to fulfill the law because they could not truly love and care for one another. They strove to do such, but they strove to be God's people and to help one another. Yet sin would still get in their way.

So the people clung to the law.  They clung to the law that God had given to them. The law that made them God's people. They strove to do the work that God was calling them to do. However, in their lives as the traditions were formed, they lost the meaning.  They lost the why.  They lost the purpose why they did these things for God and for one another.

This time of year we often think about the people who are in the story of Jesus birth. We often think about Jesus himself and that is truly a good focus. Yet there is more within this story to help our lives to help us, and to lead us and guide us. We are reminded of the shepherds.  We are reminded of the angels.

From each of these people, we have something that we can learn today. Today I would like to dwell on Joseph, the man who adopts Jesus as his own son. For in the very beginning, Joseph was going to be wed to Mary. I am sure for years that Joseph dreamed of his own wedding, of how it would be and how it would look.  When that the day would finally come, at long last the dreams would come true. Yet, things did not happen in the way that he thought they would. For his bride-to-be was found with child. This woman, whom he loved and declared to everyone that he would marry, was with child. Now love is important.  For it seems that it is because of this love, and because Joseph was a kind and righteous man, that he decides to dismiss Mary quietly.

Truly, if Mary would have been charged according to the law that made them God's people, the laws of the Jews would to be upheld. Mary would have been brought before the entire community, found guilty, and she would be stoned to death.

Yes, according to the law that made the Jewish people God's people, Mary had gone against God. She had gone against the will of God in becoming pregnant. Yet Mary was following the very word of God. She was doing what God was calling her to do.  She was chosen to surrender to God not only for herself, but the entire world around her. Jesus Christ was given to her for God had chosen her. Jesus was sent into this world, sent among God's people, and sent into all the world to save them from their sin.

Then Joseph, this righteous man, who had decided to dismiss his fiancé quietly, decided to take Mary as his wife so that she and the child would survive.  God wanted Mary and the child to be cared for, and so Joseph was visited by an angel, a very messenger of God.  Joseph was given God's word and told of God’s will for Mary, Joseph, and the child. This word was that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife and  the child to whom she would give birth. This child was a gift, given by God, and  was according to God's will. Something that God had planned in order to save the whole world. It was through this son that Mary was carrying, that God would save the whole world.  Joseph need not fear for God was indeed with them.

God would lead them. God would care for them; and God would provide for them. For a child that is given to any one is truly a gift to be cherished and to be loved. That child should share their gifts that God has given them. Joseph obeys God's word, but suffers because the people think he ignored the law of the people. Joseph goes against the community. He suffers their looks of regret and shame, but obeys God's word.  This is truly what we hear and we learn about this season as well.

For God's word that lives and dwells among us and comes to us directly, we hear what God is doing among us, and we are called to understand. We must live out, and share God’s Word in this world. So, Joseph adopts this son, this son of God. He takes Mary as his wife. Joseph loves them both.   That is what God called him to do.

As we live out our own days, we think about all life. We think about what we have planned and how it doesn't always go according to plan. We find ourselves in places where we had not ever wanted to be. We find ourselves in situations we had hoped to avoid. We find ourselves in places where God is calling us to live and to be.   

Yes, God calls us to live and to be among people where we had not planned to live and be among.  We are a community; we share our gifts; and we share our love. As we go through this time of year, we are reminded not only of God’s call,  but we are reminded of the great love that God gives.

God calls everyone to live out this love by having faith in God, and trusting that God will lead everyone and guide them.  God will care for all of us. God will love all of us; and so we gather here to bear witness to the great faces of those who brought forth God's love into the world.  Who loved others in their community.  Who cared for the Christ child before we even knew about Jesus.  We learned about their faith. We learned that our faith should be like their’s, trusting in God's word for us and not only trusting in God's law. For as we dwell within the law, we should be reminded of the purpose of the love.  We should be reminded to receive the rich blessings that God has provided for us. For we are all created as God's precious gifts to one another. So we can share this rich gift that God gives to us. We are to share this gift of Jesus Christ with everyone whom we encounter. Amen