Advent Walk 2019

Joseph’s View of Christmas

Matthew 1:18–25 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Everyone had a point of view with the first Christmas depending on their part to play. We hear a lot about Mary’s viewpoint, the shepherd’s viewpoint, and the wise men’s viewpoint. But what about Joseph’s point of view?

Joseph would have been building a home for Mary when the angel would of appeared to her. Joseph was a righteous man and would have been humiliated and devastated when Mary’s pregnancy would have become obvious. Joseph had every right to have her stoned.

Joseph gave time for prayer and consideration for what to do.

Joseph did not automatically react out of his emotions as we are so prone to do. He spent time in prayer and consideration before he made a decision. Joseph was willing to give her a bill of divorce to prove the baby was not his and put her away privately to avoid further shame to Mary. An angel comes to Joseph and tells him not to fear about taking Mary as his wife for this child is of the Lord. Joseph had to be strong because no one would believe this child was of the Lord and he and his family had to bear the shame that would come.

2. Joseph takes legal responsibility of Jesus

Matthew 1:25 ESV

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew

Joseph names the baby Jesus. This was not just a casual statement. Joseph could of kept quiet and his silence would of distanced him from the baby. This is a great example of the integrity of Joseph. He loved the child and taught him the carpentry trade. Most importantly, he would have sat Him on his knee and taught him of God.

Sometime after Jesus’ 12th birthday, Joseph died. What would Christmas had meant to Joseph? Would it have meant financial struggles because of possible business lost because of the rumor and stigma of Mary’s believed illegitimate pregnancy? I believe part of Joseph was glad to go to Egypt to get away from all the gossip and whispers and looking forward to the chance to start over. Here , maybe he had a chance to provide a better life for his family. I also believe that part was also not so excited to leave Egypt when Herod died when the angel told him it was safe to return. Joseph was a righteous man and honored God to the best of his ability.

Now Joseph had died before Jesus even started his ministry. Joseph would have gone to paradise because the bible refers to him as a righteous man. We know from with Lazarus and the rich man, that Joseph would have seen Jesus in hell taking the keys of death and hell and preaching a message of condemnation to those in hell. Then Jesus would have crossed the chasm into Paradise and preached the same message which would be a message of justification for those in Paradise.

I can just imagine Joseph standing up as any proud parent would be and yelling, “That’s my son!!!” Everyone probably turned around and looked at him in surprise and then he probably corrected himself and said, “Well, I had the privilege to help raise the Son of God”. What does Christmas mean to Joseph now? All the shame and reproach is gone and all that remains is the reward from the King of kings and the Lord of lords.