Sunday, December 8: Second Sunday in Advent: Joseph

Angel Voices:  An Advent Conspiracy.  Angels—messengers from God—speak to many different people in the stories of Advent & Christmas.  Today we look at the messages to Joseph.  What messages are relevant to us?  How would you react in Joseph’s situation?

Read Matthew 1:18-25 in preparation for worship.  Think about all that is left unsaid in these few verses.

Saturday, December 7 – Joseph, the dreamer

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.        –Genesis 37:5 (NIV2011)

But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.   –Matthew 1:20 (NRSV)

Joseph is a name steeped in rich stories.  Both the Joseph of Genesis and the Joseph who becomes Jesus’ human father were dreamers.  God used dreams to change the course of their lives.

What role do dreams play in your life?  Does God speak to you in dreams?

How does God choose to communicate with you?

Friday, December 6 – Magnificat promises

He has helped his servant Israel,

      remembering to be merciful

⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,

      just as he promised our ancestors.”   –Luke 1:54-55 (NIV2011)

How long do God’s promises last?

What happens if God’s people are unfaithful?

Over and over again, God’s people are unfaithful to the covenant, to their own promises to God, and to the steadfast love that keeps offering them mercy...and a fresh start.

How long should God keep this up?

How long should God forgive us—you and me?

God remains faithful to his promises even when we don’t.  Is that good?

Thursday, December 5 – Magnificat politics

His mercy is for those who fear him

        from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;

        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

        and lifted up the lowly;

⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,

        and sent the rich away empty.              –Luke 1:50-53 (NRSV)

As a psalm of praise, this speaks of the practical power and promises of God.  God is not concerned simply with things “up in heaven,” but with the plight of his people, and especially the poor and oppressed.

God opposes the proud (Proverbs 3:34) and those who take advantage of others.  Our God who created “all that is, seen and unseen” is concerned about physical and spiritual issues.  So must we if we are to be faithful followers of Jesus.

This isn’t easy wading into the nitty-gritty of politics and economics...but this is God’s concern...and must be ours too.

Wednesday, December 4 – Magnificat praise

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. –Luke 1:46-49 (NRSV)

Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth...to share their stories of the extraordinary power and favor of God they have experienced?

Mary is blessed by Elizabeth’s greeting and bursts into a psalm of praise very similar to Hannah when she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 1 & 2).

What lay ahead for Mary was difficult and heart-breaking at times... but she considered herself greatly blessed.

What about you?  How blessed are you?  Has the Lord looked with favor on you?  How do you make that judgment?