Hi Friends,
I hope we are all familiar with the beautiful stories of the Birth of our Lord Jesus. But do we ever think in terms of how Mary and Joseph served God, the Father, throughout their lives? You see, months before His blessed birth, a modest and devoted carpenter and his humble teenage fiancé chose their joyous service to God. Listen to this part of the Christmas story:
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary 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 husband was faithful to the law, and yet 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. 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.” Mt 1:18-21 NIV
Joseph’s Joyous Service. There’s not much said about this great Saint, and yet what is said, speaks volumes. Just look at his character from the verses above: disciplined, self-controlled, faithful, merciful, loving, respectful, caring, considerate, mindful, brave, submissive and obedient. Joseph was wise and able to discern truth. He recognized the angel of the Lord and knew this was God offering him a wonderful mission. Joseph was a devoted man who believed and followed God. What a great example he would be to young Jesus as He grew up in this foster father’s home. Joseph served God with his spirit, soul and body. He would go on to protect Mary from shame, to provide for her needs, to be by her side as she gave birth to her firstborn Son. He would obey the Law and travel to the Temple in Jerusalem for Mary’s purification ritual, as well as to present Jesus to God, the Father. He continued to be vigilant in listening, then following, God’s directions of how to keep both mother and Son safe. He was quick to leave their home and travel to Egypt to save Jesus from King Herod’s furious temper and appropriate fear. Then he makes the final trip back to Israel and settles in Nazareth. Do we see the life of Joseph and wonder at his faith and faithfulness? These are two requirement to joyfully serve our God and we clearly see how Joseph’s whole life was lived in joyful service to our King.
Mary’s Joyous Service. An innocent teenager, gladly awaiting her marriage to Joseph, her betrothed, gets a supernatural visit from the Angel Gabriel. We know the story, but have you ever put yourself in her place? The culture was quite different in her day. Godly women did not have sex before marriage, and they certainly would never allow themselves to get pregnant! And here Mary was, still a virgin and carrying the Son of God? Who would believe this? According to the Law of Moses, she should be stoned to death! Certainly Joseph would never go through with the marriage now! He would think she had been unfaithful, that is, until that Angel went to Joseph and told him otherwise. Then Mary saw the love of God through the love of Joseph. She was able to endure the convicting looks of the villagers. She was able to put up with the whispers behind her back. She was able to…well, she was able to serve God in the way He planned for her to serve Him. Imagine! To sense a child growing within me has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life…but to have God, literally, inside of you?! Oh Lord, what a mission! So humble is she that, even though she had no idea how God could do such a thing, her response was simply, “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Lk 1:38) And so she also served God spirit, soul and body. Her life was one of obedience to the utmost degree. Also a devoted follower of the Law, Mary learns from the prophet Simeon that her heart would one day be pierced with sorrow because of this amazing Child. She heard many things like this and the Bible says, she kept them in her heart. She pondered God and His Will for her life and the Life of this Miracle Son. And she continued to raise Him to the best of her ability. Even that little incident when Jesus was 12, did not deter her from her job as His mother and mentor. She knew God had given her a job to do and she did it with joy. Even as her heart did break as she watched her Son up on that Cross for all of us, she kept believing. Humble, obedient, faithful, loving, caring, giving…and suffering. Mary too joyfully served God with all her life.
God’s Joyous Service. Lastly, do we see God’s service towards us here too? The Father gave His one and only Begotten Son so that we would not have to be apart from Him forever. The Holy Spirit continues to serve us by guiding us, comforting us, teaching us, opening doors for us, giving us insight…and so on and so on. And I don’t have to tell you about the Joyous Service of Jesus…Who with every thought, every word and every deed served us as the Immaculate example of how to live this life fully, as we await the next. Jesus especially served us up on that Cross, where He paid the ultimate price to take our sin away so we could live forever in that next Life. Praise the Lord you and I do not have to know death. The joyous service of our Messiah has already made The Way. Eternal death does not have to be a part of our story, but we should be serving God by sharing the amazing story of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection to everyone we can. Use the gifts God has given you. Grow in them so you can sense the Holy Spirit working them in, and through you, and then serve. Your life will be more fulfilling. Others around you will be more blessed. And God will be glorified. It is why we were made…and to be honest, it is now why I live, to please my God and to bring others to Jesus, then help them grow in His Love and Grace. Let’s choose to follow the example of Joseph and Mary, and serve God with all our lives. Won’t you join me?
I pray you all have a very Blessed Christmas!
Until we meet again, keep lifting your eyes to God, He’s closer than you think.
<>< Peace, Diane
