Joseph & The Inn Keeper: Christmas Traditions

(Katie) I have quickly transitioned into Christmas mode as I am currently listening to Michael Buble Christmas.This year, James got to join in one of my favorite family Christmas traditions that my mom spearheads every year. My mom puts all the Nativity scene characters into a basket and each member of our family draws a character whom we will journey with through the entire month of December. There is great anticipation around the table as each person eagerly awaits to see if anyone will be lucky enough to draw the donkey (John Boone..lucky guy) or the baby Jesus. There are usually a lot of laughs as the basket is passed around. 


This year, James drew the Inn Keeper and I drew Joseph. As we both journey with our specific characters this Christmas Season, we will both share our reflections. Regardless of whether this is a current tradition in your family, I would encourage you to choose a character from the Christmas story to study this December as its a great way to bring some new revelation and depth into a story that most of us hear each year. 


I started my journey with Joseph today. Who is this man that God entrusted to be Jesus' earthly Father? I have to confess that I have never read the story of Jesus' birth through the perspective of Joseph. Joseph is first introduced in the book of Matthew as a "righteous man." This description is given within the context of Joseph learning that Mary was pregnant and that the child was not his own. Upon receiving this news, most of us would feel very disgraced as Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a significant social stigma. Joseph had the right to divorce Mary under Jewish law, which could have resulted in her being stoned to death. However, Joseph "did not want to disgrace her and desired to put her away secretly" (Matt 1:19). God sent an angel to Joseph to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. Joseph willingly obeyed God, in spite of the public humiliation that he would face. He was willing to endure public shame in order to be obedient. I can't begin to imagine how hard it was for Joseph to know that his family and closest friends would think that he was absolutely crazy.

In two simple verses of Scripture, God shows through the character of Joseph that He places a high value on the willingness to say "YES" (obedience) regardless of the cost. Joseph was not qualified to be Jesus' earthly father because of his leadership within his local church, his income, or because of his job security.  None of these details are included. If I had to handpick the earthly father of Jesus, I would probably pick a man who fulfilled these qualifications. I am reminded of Isaiah 55:8, "for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." The journey to Bethlehem began with obedience and the willingness to look like an absolute fool. What is God asking you to be obedient to this Christmas season? What holds you back from saying "Yes?"