Joseph, Did you Know?

We're all familiar with the popular Christmas song 'Mary, Did You Know?', I hope so! If not, YouTube it please lol. This is a retrospective song about Mary the mother of Jesus. But have we truly considered Joseph's experience? This Christmas, I've found myself reflecting deeply on the Advent story and its unsung hero, Joseph. This reflection was prompted by my pastor, urging us to contemplate the Christmas story this year. He cautioned against getting too caught up in the euphoria and joy of Christmas festivities. Somewhere in the midst of it all, we express gratitude for the birth of Jesus, envisioning a sleeping baby Jesus wrapped up, wise men and shepherds worshiping him, and attentive parents looking on.

Yet, the story's beginning was far from ideal—an aspect we've heard so often that its impact and significance have dulled. Mary was found to be pregnant with the son of God, and Joseph had planned to divorce her quietly until a confirming dream altered their course.

The decision to quietly divorce Mary indicates Joseph's good heart, but it's his obedience that resonates with me this Advent season. Our current historical perspective allows us to know the end. Jesus grew up, began his ministry, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of God. We also eagerly anticipate his prophesied return.

However, envision the first Christmas, with Mary and Joseph unaware of what lay ahead. Despite the uncertainty, they stepped out in faith. Joseph, guided by a dream, obeyed. One can only imagine the questions from his family and the ridicule from his community, yet he pressed on. Picture them journeying to Bethlehem, a very pregnant Mary on a donkey, walking into the unknown. But both walked together in complete obedience, unaware of the future we now know. Arriving in Bethlehem, intended to be the birthplace of the son of God, they faced challenges. A decree demanded the elimination of all baby boys, leading them to flee to Egypt. Despite the obstacles, they didn't question God; they kept moving and trusting, fulfilling their roles as stewards and parents doing their best to raise their son. This wasn't the life Joseph envisioned when betrothed to Mary—talk about a curveball! Yet, he obeyed.

Another impactful aspect of this story is that there's no evidence Joseph lived to witness the fulfillment. Mary witnessed Jesus's ministry, death, resurrection, and the gifting of the Holy Spirit, but did Joseph? There's no mention of him after Jesus was 12. However, we know he took Mary as his wife, protected her and Jesus, passed on his trade to his son, and undoubtedly loved him as his own. He obeyed with no assurance of how things would turn out, there is just something powerful about this kind of faith. The epitome of 1 Samuel 15:22-23 and Hebrews 11:13-19.

I salute this unsung hero. Joseph, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?"

1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Hebrews 11:13-19 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

It was Him all along !

I don’t know about you, but I used to love watching high school movies. I hate to admit it, but I watched them well into my adult life, but, not so much now.

If this is your genre, then you are very familiar with Ms. Teen Girl who is completely mesmerized by Mr. Popular- the tall handsome star athlete. In her eyes he is perfect, her prince charming who makes her life whole and complete. However, there is a slight problem, he doesn’t see her in the same light. Mr. Popular often toys with her emotions, one minute he is in and the next he is out. He certainly doesn’t give her the affirmation she deserves nor honours her value. But Ms. Teen Girl is a hopeless romantic and is therefore determined to keep chasing her “prince charming".

Then there is Mr. Nice Guy whom she has known since grade school. He has always been a great friend who truly loves her and desires a more meaningful place in her life. Ms. Teen is so captivated by Mr. Popular that she doesn’t even notice Mr. Nice Guy. On the face of it, Mr. Nice Guy seems very shy, quiet, and reserved. He is certainly not popular, not as tall, and just cute at best. Underneath it all, he is whole, loyal, generous, and has a great heart. Mr. Nice Guy would definitely treat her with the worth she deserves. He steps from time to time in to help her get back on her feet whenever Mr. Popular breaks her heart. Mr. Nice Guy has become her soft place to land but every time she gets back on her feet, she is chasing Mr. Popular again leaving Mr. Nice Guy in the dust.

Through it all, Mr. Nice Guy stands in the wings longing hoping that one day she would realize that he is the better option. He never leaves her side; he doesn’t impose but uses opportunities to step in to offer love and support.

We watch these movies and we think that this girl is dumb, we cannot comprehend how she is not able to discern that Mr. Nice Guy is the better option. We are baffled at the delusion that has blinded her from seeing what’s best for her own life. We yell at Mr. Nice Guy, “boy forget that girl, she’s not worth it, let her chase Mr. Popular and see what she gets.”

Pause the story - isn’t this just like our relationship with Jesus? We chase after things that we perceive will make us happy, whole, and complete. While Jesus stands in the wings longing for us, hoping that one day we would be enlightened to the fact that he is the only one that will treat us with the value we deserve. Through it all, He never abandons us but stays close and uses opportunities in our lives to step in and restore, in hopes that one day we would truly get it; and so He waits.

Back to the story- the climax, the pivot, the turning point. Ms. Teen Girl finally gets her redemption after one final letdown by Mr. Popular. In steps Mr. Nice Guy to catch her again, but this time is different, they pierce into each other’s eyes and for the first time, she really sees the pure unconditional love he had all along. He whispers, “I will never leave you.” Thankfully she gets it, she finally gets it, and she replies, “It was you, it was you all along, how could I not see it was you all along” Mr. Nice Guy is overjoyed, and they enter a deep meaningful relationship.

What will be the climax of your story? Her story can be our story too, if and only if, one day we do truly realize it was Him all along. Will you open the eyes of your heart to see that it was Him all along, Jesus your Saviour who has been sidelined in your life, the one you only see when you are hurting? Will you come to the truth that it was Him all along? Nothing in this world that we chase will ever give us the sustaining fulfillment and worth that we deserve, only our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It was him all along folks! I hope you get it!

The Nutrients in the Valley!

We are all on a journey of healing and it’s not always linear, its often filled with progress as well as regress. Healing is therefore fraught with many valley- and mountain-top experiences. If you are like me, you relish mountain tops and are never ever willing to enter the valley. An interesting fact about the valley though is that this is where soil nutrients are most potent, it’s therefore the perfect place to grow and flourish.

I challenge you therefore that it’s the lessons from the valley that equip us with the will, fortitude and strength to make our way up the mountain side towards the top. When we do make it to the top of the mountain, oh what a feeling, oh the magnificent view, oh the sense of accomplishment. I hope when you get to the top of your mountain, you pause to celebrate growth, reflect on the valley, rest from the climb and always, always give thanks to God.

An often unwelcomed part of this process is that the valley must be revisited periodically. This is difficult to accept because valley experiences can leave you feeling completely defeated. But as you reflect on your life, I know you will agree that the valley has been a learning space where you have drawn closer to God and grown in ways that blow your mind. The lessons from the valley therefore engender new strength to climb and conquer even more mountains.

Ponder this, would you grow as a person avoiding valleys, jumping from mountain top to mountain top? Or marooning yourself on one mountain top never to experience another? Or are you more likely to grow and gain strength climbing many mountains? Well, if you want to reach more mountain tops you have to go down to the valley!

I love that while in the valley mountain tops are not hidden, they stand as visible goals to strive for. They stand as beacons for us to know what’s possible as we go through the tough lessons of the valley.

If you are going through the valley right now, look up and behold the mountain tops, that’s where your help comes from. The valley is not a setback, it’s a set up to climb mountains!!