First Sunday after Christmas
December 30, 2007
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24
Matthew 2:13-23
First Congregational, UCC, Waterville

Joseph seems to be a neglected character in the Christmas story. Oh, he's there. In all of the many manger scenes Alice has collected, Joseph is there. But none of the over fifty show Joseph holding the baby Jesus; he's just standing there. Most have the baby Jesus in the manger; a few portray Mary holding her newborn son. It's the same in artwork. There are lots of portrayals of the Madonna and child. But Joseph and the child? I don't think I have ever seen one. Joseph is just a presence in the background.

Three weeks ago we heard Mary's Magnificat, a poem or song from Mary, in the words of scripture and through music. 'Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear' is a nice carol that we sang on Christmas Eve but it's not one of the most familiar carols. Joseph has not inspired the kind of music Mary has. And Joseph hasn't received the same attention in popular devotion or in theological reflection.

I would like us to meditate a little this morning on what Joseph's example can teach us. An example of obedient inaction, and an example of decisive action.

There are times when we need to set our personal agendas and preferences and inclinations aside, to get out of the way, and let God act. So