Down a Road Toward Christmas: Nazareth-A Place of Dedication

"Tis the most wonderful time of the year" or so echoes the words of a familiar Christmas song. Many pictures enter our minds when we think about Christmas: chestnuts roasting on an open fire, bells jingling on a one-horse open sleigh, shoppers rushing home with their treasures, Christmas trees aglow with bright lights and glimmering bulbs, and families enjoying each other's presence and presents.

But, what was that very first Christmas like? Journey with me these next few weeks down a road toward Christmas as we reflect upon the realities of that very first Advent. Our first stop is the little community of Nazareth, located in Galilee. It is home to a middle-aged carpenter, named Joseph, and a young maiden, named Mary. Their lives were soon to be forever changed. You will find this story in Matthew 1:18-25 and in Luke 1:26-38. I've entitled this story: Nazareth - A Place of Dedication.

The Bible tells us that Joseph was employed as a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Perhaps he had inherited this business from his father. Maybe he had started it as his own small business. We do know that it was not a lucrative business because the offering he and Mary brought at the dedication of Jesus was an offering of the poor. But there was enough that he felt he could get married. We don't know how old Joseph was at the time of his engagement, but he was probably between the ages of 25 and 30, as most hard-working Jewish men did not marry until that time.

Both his parents and those of Mary had probably arranged his engagement, with the fathers entering into a covenant binding them together. In those days a betrothal was legally binding. Only divorce could break it. Even though they were not yet married, any act of unfaithfulness would have been punished as adultery. This betrothal was a very serious agreement.

All seemed fine - excitement was building as Joseph thought of his approaching day of marriage. Then one day Mary gave him some startling news...she was pregnant! The Bible does not tell us if Mary told Joseph everything, but his response was natural. He knew he had only three options: 1) He could go ahead and marry her immediately and only hope that people in Nazareth were not very good at counting months; or 2) He could expose her and have her stoned to death as an adulteress; or 3) He could divorce her. It was this last option that he chose.

Why would Joseph make such a choice? He was afraid of the costs of a continued relationship with Mary. It would cause embarrassment to his family's name. It would affect his business. And most certainly it would tarnish his character. How could he, a man of righteous character, become involved with a woman lacking in moral integrity? No...as much as he loved Mary, she had to be sent away, never to enter his life again.

Then, one night as he lay in his bed trying to sleep, an angel of the Lord appeared and informed him as to what was going on. He may not have believed the story Mary had told him, but how could he deny the words of an angel of the Lord? Now Joseph was faced with a decision. He could either dedicate himself to God's plan or he could live for himself. God was not asking him whether he understood God's plan, or whether he approved of it. God was merely asking him, "Joseph, will you take part in the greatest story this world has ever seen?" Joseph was sensitive to the voice of God and was obedient. He was willing to become part of the team God was assembling to bring into this world His Son.

What about Mary? She was probably just a young girl between the ages of 14 and 15. Suddenly, one day an angel greeted her with startling words: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." I have often wondered if Mary, upon hearing these words, reflected upon past biblical greetings. There was God's greeting to Gideon...to do something impossible (Judges 6:12); His greetings to Abraham...to do something difficult (Genesis 22:1); His greetings to Jeremiah...to do something frustrating (Jeremiah 1:4-10), and His greetings to Jonah...to do something terrifying (Jonah 1:2). Now, Mary was being so greeted. No wonder the text says that she was troubled and began to wonder what the meaning was. "What does God want from me!"

The angel, noticing the terror in Mary's eyes, continued by saying that she should not be afraid because she had found favor with God. That word "favor" is usually translated "grace" and means "to be pleasing to someone or something." Mary was pleasing to God. God gives great responsibilities to those with whom He is pleased: Noah was favored by God and commanded to build the ark (Genesis 6:8), and Moses found favor with God and was commanded to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 33:17).

What was Mary's decision? She was obedient to God. As with Joseph, she did not understand the magnitude of what God was asking her to do. But she said yes. At times we think we should have all the answers, that God should give us step-by-step directions. All God wants to know is if we are willing to take a risk for Him.

The road toward Christmas always begins in Nazareth - a place of dedication to the plan of God. The act of dedication or surrender is never easy, but the eternal rewards are outstanding.

With both Joseph and Mary committed to God's plan, our next stop is the capitol city itself Jerusalem. Join us there next time.