The “Extra” In Christmas

Wait …

it’s not Christmas yet.

No, not yet. Today’s Scripture passage is part of the traditional Christmas story. Though the season in which we celebrate Jesus’ birth is coming up soon, I want to talk about something that we seldom think about at Christmastime. In fact, I have never heard a teaching about it. I have mentioned this in Today’s Seed before, but I want to bring attention to it today.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind 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. (Mat 1:18-20 NIV)

Christmas stories focus primarily on Jesus and Mary. Joseph is kind of the extra, you know, the ones who are present but have no speaking role. Extras are just, well, extra. Don’t forget, however, that although Joseph has no speaking roles in Christmas plays, he played a crucial and difficult role in Jesus being born. Without him, the prophecies about Jesus could not have come to pass.

Jewish culture at that time was very strict. A pregnancy outside of marriage, especially to someone betrothed–which is far more than we think of as being engaged–was scandalous. It meant rejection and ostracization for the rest of the mother’s and father’s lives and equally harsh judgments on the child.

God communicated with Joseph in a dream and told Him to take Mary as his wife. He did. The rest is, as they say, history. Joseph had to think a different way and follow God even though it meant rejection. We know from Scripture that he had the courage to do it–and this is the point I want you to understand in today’s passage.

Now, let’s shift gears. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone, like Joseph, and risk being seen as “different” for doing what God has for you to do? This is the decision Joseph had to make. You may be judged harshly for it. You may even be rejected for it. It may carry a stigma that will follow you. Few, if any, may understand. These are the considerations you must weigh.

It takes something different, something special. Everyone can, but not everyone will. Joseph had this different something. Think about the courage it took for him to follow God’s instructions in opposition to tradition. He forfeited acceptance, and in doing so demonstrated that he had what it took.

God would not have put Joseph in such a position if he was incapable. This brings me to what I want you to understand today: Neither would God have put you in the position you are in if you were incapable. Let it sink in that you are able to do what God has for you to do. Your past is irrelevant. Your experience will be valuable–especially the bad experiences. They may be more valuable than those we think of as good. The bottom line is that God chose you for what He has for you because He knows you are able to accomplish it.

The truth is that He has been preparing you for it all your life. Perhaps now it is time to begin cooperating with Him. You think?

Let me ask you: Do you think you have what it takes? Are you willing to allow God to continue to do what He needs to do to cause you to be what He has for you to be? These are serious questions for serious times. Please answer them seriously–not to me, but to God.

Things happening in the world today, and more importantly, the times they signify, require “different” kinds of people to do “different” kinds of things. Are you one of those? Are you willing to BE one of those?

I said above “Everyone can, but not everyone will.” Will you? Will you be one who is willing to trust God and do whatever you need to do to accomplish what He has for you to do? This is the question I set before you today.