December 2025 UPDATE FROM PASTOR MARK
Of the four different stories of the life and ministry of Jesus we have in the Bible, only two tell a story of the birth of Jesus. Did you know that Luke and Matthew tell different Christmas stories?
St. Luke tells the more familiar story: with Joseph and a very pregnant Mary on the road to Jerusalem. With the wooly sheep, and an inn with a “no vacancy” sign flashing in the front window. With a lowly manger the only crib available, and gently lowing cattle keeping watch. With the angel who appears to “certain poor shepherds” out in the fields to announce “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord.” Then an entire angel host enters the scene and breaks into song: “Glo-o-o-o-o-ria in excelsis deo.” (You know the words. Sing along!) And finally ending with the sheep and shepherds exiting stage left, and Mary pondering all these things in her heart.
St. Matthew has another, maybe less familiar story of Christmas. It’s certainly shorter! “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ … When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.” Those few words in that last line? That’s how Matthew says “Merry Christmas.”
And while Mary plays a leading role in Luke’s story, Joseph takes center stage here in Matthew. Righteous Joseph, Mary’s husband! We ought not forget about him! So let me ask you – It’s almost Christmas: Do you know where your Joseph is?
Every year about this time, I find myself turning to Ann Weems’ collection of Advent-Christmas poems, Kneeling in Bethlehem. Let me share with you her “Getting to the Front of the Stable.” Consider how this lines up with your Christmas tableau at home.
Who put Joseph in the back of the stable?
Who dressed him in brown, put a staff in his hand,
and told him to stand at the back of the crèche,
background for the magnificent light of the Madonna?
God-chosen, this man Joseph was faithful
in spite of the gossip in Nazareth,
in spite of the danger from Herod.
This man, Joseph, listened to angels
and it was he who named the Child
Emmanuel.
Is this a man to be stuck for centuries
in the back of the stable?
Actually, Joseph probably stood in the doorway
guarding the mother and child
or greeting shepherds or kings.
When he wasn’t in the doorway,
he was probably urging Mary to get some rest,
gently covering her with his cloak,
assuring her that he would watch the Child.
Actually he probably picked the Child up in his arms
and walked him in the night,
patting him lovingly
until he closed his eyes.
This Christmas, let us give thanks to God
for this man of incredible faith
into whose care God placed the Christ Child.
As a gesture of gratitude,
let’s put Joseph in the front of the stable
where he can guard and greet
and cast an occasional glance
at this Child
who brought us life.
Blessings to you and yours in the season of Advent – as we make ready for the coming (again) of Jesus – and at Christmas!
+ Pastor Mark