Advent IV
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
This Sunday we'll enter into our last week of Advent, and we'll share in the joy of our Christmas Pageant. Come one, come all, and see this glorious production put on by our wonderful kids. This is a beloved tradition of ours, and I have no doubt that this year will be as sweet and joyful as ever. I'm looking forward to it so much.
As I mentioned on Sunday, it also means that I'm not preaching this week. As far as I'm concerned, our kids do an excellent job of preaching on this day - not only do they share with us this story that binds us up and makes us who we are, they also show us grace, courage, kindness, and joy. If you pay attention, there is a whole sermon in there - it just looks a little different than usual!
Given that I'm not preaching, I can't completely miss the opportunity to comment on the Gospel for this week. And if you come to the adult forum after church, you'll have a chance to comment on it, too! You can read it at the bottom of this page, if you're curious. A significant piece of this text is about Joseph, the earthly and adoptive father of Jesus. I think we often skip over Joseph. He doesn't figure prominently in the story, really, past the first part - the nativity and then their need to flee into Egypt. And there comes a point in the text where he completely disappears.
I remember a few years ago, I led an Advent series where we watched some clips of different movies and tv series about the nativity and the time surrounding it. And that group had a deep and really fantastic conversation about the role of Joseph in this story. Joseph is essentially asked to accept the unacceptable, something that no one else in his time would do or understand. He's asked not only to forgive, but to not be afraid, and to ultimately rejoice in something that was probably deeply hurtful to him (at least at first). He's asked to protect Mary, to break customs, and to put his pride aside. He does all these things the way that only a loving parent can. He listens to the messengers that come to him, does what he's asked, and becomes a father to Jesus in a deeply meaningful way. In fact, while we often dwell on Mary's "yes" to God, her willingness to risk her life and carry Jesus, I'll suggest to you that Joseph's "yes" is just as important. The safety of Mary and Jesus hinge on Joseph's ability to forgive, make sacrifices, and love.
On Sunday, we gave thanks for Mary, for her words of hope, for her vision of a changed world because of Jesus. For the rest of this week, I hope you'll also give thanks for Joseph. And wonder with him about what hard thing God might be calling you to do for the sake of others, how you can love, how you can open your heart. Each one of us, with God's help, is capable of amazing and wonderful things. Each one of us is capable of love. How are you being called to listen, to love, and to be like Joseph in this season of Advent?
There is a lot going on this week and next week! Please take a careful look through our e-news and join us. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector