God is Near: Week Four

Our Plan, God’s Plan

I have about ten Christmas Movies that I try to watch every year during the holidays. One of these classic movies is Christmas Vacation, staring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. Christmas Vacation is one of those movies where I will sit and roar in laughter for two hours straight. What connects most with me about this movie is the fact that our own christmases past are all reflected in the crazy things that happen to Clark and his family! Let’s be honest, we Americans have the ability to make Christmas into a crazy, hectic, totally stress-filled holiday, instead of the time of simple peace that it should be. Throughout this movie we realize that Clark has a plan for every part of his Christmas experience, but that his plans never come to fruition. When I think of the story of Jesus’ birth I realize that Joseph must have had plans for his future and that his plans most certainly did not include the revelation that his betrothed, Mary, was pregnant. As you prepare for this Sunday I invite you to watch the video, read the Scripture and then spend a few minutes pondering the reflection questions below.

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you think about Joseph’s reaction to finding out that Mary was pregnant? What would your reaction be if you received news of what appears to be blatant betrayal?
2. What if God called you to a path similar to Joseph’s path; the path of forgiveness and acceptance? What would it take for you to be able to follow a similar path?
3. Where is God calling you today to offer love or forgiveness in the face of betrayal or injury or injustice?