Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
In any romantic movie, there is usually a surprise revelation that threatens the relationship and marriage seems unlikely. Just such a situation occurred just before the greatest event in history. Mary was pregnant. That puts an entirely different complexion on the matter. Except in this case, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream to explain the whole “problem”. Mary was not unfaithful and Joseph could proceed with the marriage. In fact, there would be a special guest inviting himself to the celebration. Immanuel. God with us.
The surprises would not end there. Instead of a fierce warrior, this Messiah would be a humble carpenter. Instead of defeating Rome on horseback, he would defeat sin and death on a cross. Instead of lying dead in the tomb, he would rise and appear to many people, surprising them greatly. We don’t think of a Christmas celebration as a surprise party but we can see here that we the guests did not see what was coming when Jesus came to be God with us. Let that exhilaration of the surprise comfort us.
Dear Lord, thank you for the surprise entrance of Jesus into our lives. Help us to celebrate his ongoing presence as we celebrate the day he came to save. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church