Weekly Uplook December 10

During this Advent/Christmas season I’ve been thinking about Joseph.  While most of the hoopla of the Incarnation (Christ coming as a human) surrounds Mary and her miraculous pregnancy…the Gospel author Matthew gives us some insight into what was happening at Joseph’s house as he was preparing a place for his espoused wife.  It was shared with him somehow…presumably somewhat privately that Mary was pregnant and he was not the father of the child.  The story shared was almost beyond belief. Never in the history of humanity had a child been born without the XY male chromosomes provided by an earthly father and yet this is exactly what he has been told happened.  While the scriptures do not speak directly of their love one for another, Matthew does share Joseph was a “just man”… a man of integrity, character, and compassion.  Not pushing for the judgement prescribed under the Law (death) for sexual infidelity even when just espoused, he instead was considering a quiet, private divorce to protect her from public humiliation.  As he thought…the Lord’s angel showed up confirming the story of the impending miraculous birth and giving further details. These included naming the child, the role of the soon to arrive baby in delivering Israel, and how it all fulfilled the prophet Isaiah’s words (Isaiah 7:14) emphasizing the amazing fact that the baby Jesus would be Emmanuel or God with us.   With thoughts of divorce swept away, Joseph arose, completed the marriage ceremony but waited patiently until after the birth and naming for their marriage to proceed.  An amazing piece of the Advent/Christmas story.   A thinking, righteous, compassionate man of character who follows God.  I wonder what I would have done in that situation.

Fortunately, I have been tasked with a much easier job.  Forty-six years ago on a Saturday in December (it was actually December 11) I had the great privilege to stand with my “espoused” wife before our pastor, family/friends, and God and complete our marriage vows. No miraculous angel interventions for her or dreams for me along the way…just two Christian college students who loved God and loved each other.  Quite a bit has happened along the way since then but much of it has been framed by the vows made on that day…love, honor, cherish, respect, etc. in both good and difficult times.  And all that has happened along the way has been framed by God’s rich grace which was first extended to each of us when we were saved and then every day since as individuals, as a couple, raising children, and now as grandparents.  I still long to be a thinking, righteous, compassionate man of character who follows God.  God calls me as he called Joseph to “fear not” to love and care for my wife and to be faithful to the calling which he has entrusted me.

P.S.  If you would like some insight into my family background…you can read today’s Apostolic Faith Church devotional available through our Headquarters website.  It also speaks about marriage and in it I wrote concerning my parents marriage commitment and the example it was to Lori and me.  

God bless you all,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor