December 19, 2010 Praying the Advent Season

Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.

Opening Prayer:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
With your abundant grace and might,
Free us from the sin that hinders our faith,
That eagerly we may receive your promises.

Today’s readings: (all three provided for further reference) Isaiah 7:10-16,
Romans 1: 1-7, Matthew 1: 18-25

Let’s concentrate on today’s Gospel from Matthew 1: 18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: 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. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus

Joseph’s world was going just as planned until Mary’s unprovoked pregnancy sent it spinning out of control. Joseph shaped a prudent plan that would quiet the small town gossips and protect Mary. His response to fear was not panic, but steadfastness. Maybe that’s why he was able to hear and heed the angel, doing as the Lord commanded him. God’s plan must have been very confusing and fearful to Joseph. It was mysterious, way beyond anything he could have ever imagined, and what would the neighbors think of his explanation? But being a true believer, Joseph accepted God’s plan and turned toward God to witness a sign fulfilled…. named Jesus.

Now we are here in “our time” – season following season, disaster upon disaster, worry on top of worry, year after year. Like the King and the Carpenter the question comes to us, will we turn toward God and listen and change/adjust our man-made plans accordingly? Will we accept the “mysterious plans” God places before us?
Lighting the fourth candle fully reveals the darkness for what it is, and we need not fear, not now, not ever again. We can live by faith and wipe away all our tears for the dawn draws near and the world as we have known it is about to change again.” Listen, look and be aware for the Lord draws near.

Stir up your power, Lord, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Called as God's people;
Equipped by the Holy Spirit;
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people

Thanks to: The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA