Christmas message on Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph the silent man of Christmas there is no record of any spoken word from the man. If you think about Joseph he is a minor player in a major drama. He is a bit actor in the greatest story ever told. He is an extra in the drama of Christmas even the Shepherds are recorded saying more than Joseph. When nativity scenes are set up for the season Joseph is one of the last placed and possibly the first knocked over wrapped up and put away for next year. He is an average person in greatest story of all time. He is just like us and nothing like us.

Trans: Joseph just may be the most important unimportant person there is.

The only word we are certain he is credited with is Jesus. Vs 25. We are not certain how he communicated this did he say it, write it, gesture it? Not one word comes before or after “Joseph said.” Talk about a minor role no spoken parts. Joseph is mentioned up to the time when Jesus as a young boy stayed behind in the temple. When Jesus launches into ministry Joseph disappears. Not one line to his credit. Joseph is an extra in the Christmas drama.
Or is He?
When Joseph and Mary were engaged it created a legal binding agreement between them. Mary would veil her face from the day of the engagement until the day of the wedding celebration. She is signifying to the world she is pledged to be married. During the engagement Joseph would prepare a home for her while she would get ready for their wedding day. We know happens next. Mary ends up pregnant. We’re privy to the miracle of God. Poor Joseph doesn’t know. The rest of the town, Mary’s family no one knows this but Mary. Elizabeth knows Mary’s pregnant and there is something special happening. But they are stuck seeing this from a human perspective. She’s pregnant and we all know how that happens.
To be engaged and pregnant is big trouble. Deut 22:20, 21, 23, 24
Joseph has the right and some would say the obligation to have Mary stoned to death. It is obvious how you become pregnant. She is pregnant so therefore the law says stone her to death. Think about it the extra Joseph is actually going to play a major part in this drama. Mary and her baby could end up dead if Joseph doesn’t intercede.
What would do if you were in Joseph’s place? Would your first thought be how can I protect and bless the one who has obviously violated our covenant and commitment?
This is where we find a secret about silence. Quite possibly why Joseph is attributed no words. How does a man who has had his heart broken his pledge mocked find the strength to care for and seek the best for the one who did this?
We know this about Joseph. He was righteous, merciful, contemplative and obedient. He was a good man; and therefore inclined to be merciful as God is, and to forgive as one that was forgiven. After a season of contemplation he can see no other way than to put her away secretly. He’s protecting Mart and the child even though it appears she has sinned against him. Mercy flows from silence. In the silence and deep contemplation Joseph is able to move past the pain to consider Mary and how to protect her.
It is when Joseph has come to the end of his ability to consider anything more than quiet divorce that God meets him. Isn’t it like God to meet us when we come to the end of ourselves? Where does God meet Joseph? In the silence! In those moments of contemplative thought and silence God finally speaks.
It is quite possible that all four of the gospel writers record no words from Joseph to challenge us to make silence a part of our lives.

Trans: I can hear what you are thinking. Silence during this season; are you nuts? I am busier than ever and doing more than ever. There is no time to sit still be quiet and think deeply.

I hear you. Silence is not my favorite idea during this season either. Is it possible we’ve missed something in our lives because they are filled with the empty noise of busyness? Are we missing the God’s whisper?
Before you make up your mind consider some of the benefits silence affords us. If we are people who say the very first thoughts and feelings we miss opportunities for deeper consideration. Think about the miracle we would have missed if Joseph was spoke his first thoughts and feelings. Imagine a world without Christmas. In the silence Joseph was able to consider the situation and at the end of his thinking he meets God and is given the bigger picture. Is it possible we miss God’s bigger picture? Is it possible by forsaking silence and contemplation we miss some amazing miracles of God in our lives? Could we miss Christmas the celebration of God with us?
Silence and contemplation allows us to discipline our tongues as well. Know anyone who needs that?
Silence and contemplation allows us to do deep soul-searching resulting in spiritual growth and development so we can be like Jesus.
The problem with silence and contemplation is we have to deal with who we are. This is the scary side of silence and contemplation we are revealed as we are and God reveals Himself as He is. It’s scary to see ourselves as we are in the light of who God is. That fear has driven many of us into busy white noise filled lives. A white noise life keeps us safe for a moment, but puts us in danger of missing the miraculous.
The challenge:
During these weeks of the Christmas season I challenge you find some moments of silence for contemplation. Before you speak, act, and before you race off into life be silent and listen for God so you don’t miss the miraculous this Christmas. Silence can be found in the car turn off the radio, at home if you leave the TV off, or as you steal a moment to get out of the noise.
Take some time for silence and contemplation. Listen for the voice of God.
Conclusion:
One righteous person who takes time in silence and contemplation + God’s voice = greatest miracle of all time for the world. Joseph is an average person an extra in the drama of Christmas and because of his silent contemplation and obedience to God’s voice – Christmas!
What could happen with average people like us? Christmas! God with US! Let’s not miss Him this year.