THE LOOKS, THE STARES, THE GOSSIP

MARY

Poor Mary.  Here was a young woman, a virgin, and pledged to be married to Joseph, but suddenly an angel appeared and her life changed as she listened to the angel.

The angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, Son of the Most High.”

Mary replied, “May it be to be as you have said.”

I can imagine the thoughts that were flying in and out of her mind.  How?  Why me?  Joseph.  My parents.  I will go see Elizabeth and figure this out.

It took much courage for Mary to return home.  What would her parents say?  What would Joseph do?  He had every right to divorce her.  How would her friends and neighbors act when they realized she was pregnant?  I imagine Mary was unsure about Joseph, but she would know what was ahead.  The looks.  The stares.  The gossip. 

JOSEPH

Poor Joseph.  Here was a righteous man, a carpenter, and ready to take Mary as his wife, but when Mary returned from seeing Elizabeth, he knew she was pregnant.  One look and he could see the changes in her body. 

What would happen when others saw her?  They would look.  Then they would stare.  They would think …….  No, they would not notice as easily as he had. 

Joseph thought, “I do not want to expose her to public disgrace.  I will divorce her quietly.”

Having figured out a way to make the best of this situation, Joseph rested.  Joseph dreamed.

An angel appeared in Joseph’s 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.”

Joseph did as the Lord commanded, but I imagine he also dreaded the looks, the stares, and the gossip that were sure to follow.

Joseph, a righteous man, took Mary home as his wife.

Scriptures used:  Luke 1:26-45 and 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-25

THE LOOKS, THE STARES, THE GOSSIP

It is not hard to imagine what Mary and Joseph were thinking.  Times have changed, but, honestly, people never seem to change.  We look.  We stare.  We gossip. 

And that is exactly what I would like you to do this Christmas.

I want you to look at the scriptures which tell of the birth of Jesus.  Really, really look.  Not just skim over, but look at them.  Read slowly, looking at every word.

I want you to stare at the Christmas Story until you can picture each part.  Stare until you see Mary leaving town and coming home.  Stare until you see Joseph struggle with a decision.  Stare until you can picture an angel appearing to Mary and Joseph.  Stare until you can imagine Joseph and Mary walking toward their future.

I want you to gossip about Mary and Joseph.  When you are setting up the tree, say, “Did you hear Mary left town?”  Tell your in-laws, “Mary came home and I think she is pregnant.”  At coffee, whisper, “Joseph was visited by an angel.”  Gossip and spread the story because this story is the beginning of our eternal life.

HAVE AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS!!