December 1, 2025
Matthew 1:18-21
Joseph Listens to God
This is the story how Jesus the Messiah was born. Mary, his mother, was pledged to be married to Joseph. but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her future husband, was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he thought to divorce her quietly. 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. 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.’
Dear Readers,
What would Christmas be without Joseph?! Unthinkable! Of course, Jesus, the Messiah, is the most important person. And his mother Mary is very important. The angels are very important too, and of course, so are the shepherds in the field with their sheep. And somehow, Joseph is important too. He is part of God's plan.
Martin Schongauer, a famous artist of his time (1450-1491), painted the Nativity scene depicted on the postage stamp (German Post). In this scene, the artist placed this quiet Joseph on the periphery of the action. The ox and the donkey are closer to Jesus than Joseph.
At first glance, Joseph seems almost uninvolved to me. I see his hands resting in his lap. Joseph simply stands there, observing Mary and Jesus. He strikes me as a man of our time, bored and waiting for the bus, watching a woman with a child.
But surely the artist wanted to express something quite different. Perhaps he is telling us: look at Joseph, he is at peace with himself. He has experienced the fulfillment of the angel's prophecy. He trusted God completely and embarked on this new path in life with God's help.
God had completely changed Joseph's plans for his life overnight. God hadn't even asked for his approval. Yet Joseph, the carpenter, had done everything God asked him to do! This Joseph was a courageous man who obeyed God. Not a man of many words, but a man who listens to what God says. Now he waits calmly and with complete trust at the manger for all that God still plans to do with Jesus, with his wife Mary, and with him.
For many people, Advent is a hectic time. A time full of hustle and bustle. Christmas needs to be prepared. Gifts need to be bought. Trips to be planned. Relatives and friends are expected to come and visit. – What, if we just focused on what is essential and, like Joseph, turned our gaze intently to Jesus? Simply put, during Advent, take a break and do nothing. No longer allowed to be driven by Christmas stress. Seek the path to contemplation. Linger at Jesus’ manger. Gaze upon the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Become ready for God's new paths, which He wants to lead us on.
I wish you days in Advent filled more with worship for our God and less with pre-Christmas stress. I wish you time for yourself. I wish you time to encounter God. May deep peace fill your heart. May you find inner peace.
Thank you for visiting and listening. I look forward to seeing you at my next short sermon on December 15, 2025.
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