Disappointment
How the (blank) stole Christmas • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The disappointment that stole Christmas.
(Bulletin)
18 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. 19 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. 20 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. 21 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.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
(Slide only)
18 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.
Pledged / Engaged
Modern readers need to understand the traditions involved in ancient Jewish marriages. First, the two families would agree to the union and negotiate the betrothal.
Next, a public announcement (the engagement photos were sent out) would be made and the couple was “pledged.” Though the couple was not officially married, their relationship could be broken only through death or divorce.
Sexual relations were not yet permitted. This second step lasted for a year. During that time, the couple would live separately, with their parents. This waiting period would demonstrate the bride’s purity. If she were found to be pregnant during that time, the marriage could be annulled.
Because Mary and Joseph were pledged to be married, they had not yet had sexual relations, but while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Mary was pledged and pregnant, and Joseph knew that the child was not his own. Mary’s apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma.
Joseph's Monologue:
"I remember when I first found out about Mary's pregnancy. My heart sank, and my mind was filled with confusion and hurt. I thought, 'How could this be? We were betrothed, and she is found to be with child?' I was disappointed beyond measure, thinking that our plans for a future together were shattered.
19 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.
Did not want - Public disgrace
Faithful to the law: He was a lover of God and His commands.
According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had the right to divorce her. The law also explained that the penalty for unchastity was death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23–24), although this was rarely carried out at this time.
Joseph: I am so disappointed and I am hurting. But I still love Mary and I don’t want her to suffer even if it means I look bad.
In our disappointment we want the world to know that it was not our fault.
In our disappointment we can keep our integrity.
Integrity: doing the right thing when no one is looking.
Don’t let your disappointment still your Christmas.
20 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. 21 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.”
Joseph's Monologue:
But then, in the midst of my despair, God sent an angel to speak to me in a dream. The angel told me that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He would be the Savior of His people. I felt a sense of peace and purpose, knowing that I had a part in God's divine plan, but the initial disappointment lingered.
"Every disappointment you encounter can lead to an appointment with God." – Tony Evans
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Our disappointment can lead to God’s greater plan.
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
escape to Egypt - Exiled
We can’t go home? That was not in the plan.
In our disappointment we need to trust and follow God’s plan.
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
In our disappointment we need to stay obedient to God.
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Disappointment can lead to an appointment with
Are you disappointed this Christmas? Maybe God is preparing the greatest appointment of your life.
Lineage: Joseph was a descendant of King David, His father was named Jacob.
Betrothal to Mary
Disappointment led to raising and parenting the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
In your disappointment don’t lose Jesus and let it still your Christmas.
As we journeyed to Bethlehem, I was faced with another trial. There was no room for us in the inn, and Mary was about to give birth. My heart was heavy with the thought of my wife giving birth in such humble conditions.
But in the midst of these disappointments, I held onto the promises of God. I saw His faithfulness, even when I didn't understand His ways. Each challenge and disappointment was an opportunity to trust Him more."
