Advent Day 11

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11 ESV) 

Joseph woke from his dream, and although he knew it would be difficult, he did as God commanded and took her as his wife. Sinclair points out that in the English Standard Version of the Bible, Matthew tells us Joseph “knew her not until she had given birth.” This language is a little archaic, is it not? We know what it means: Joseph abstained from a sexual relationship with Mary until she gave birth to Jesus. It is not as archaic as we think.

In today’s society, sexual relationships sadly mean little. Society’s attitude can be seen as quite animalistic. I want to be pleased, and you want to be pleased, so "let’s get after it." God had other plans for a sexual relationship. God intended it to be an expression of a deep, lifelong mutual surrendering of one person to another—a physical commitment to each other who have become one in marriage. As I just said, it’s pretty archaic from society’s perspective.

Their abstinence was more of a devotion to God for Joseph and Mary. A way to confirm to God and each other that they believed what the angel had told them and that Mary’s conception was from the Holy Spirit.

We learn a couple of things from this passage. First, as Sinclair puts it, our restraint from our good, God-given desires is not harmful. We humans desire companionship, which can turn into love over time. However, exercising this desire is outside of God’s desire for us. For some, it is not easy to be single at Christmas. In these moments, we can find comfort in our Savior, who was human and single. Christ experienced all we experience, so He understands our desire for companionship.

Secondly, there would have been nothing wrong in God’s eyes if Joseph and Mary had consummated their marriage. But “because there was nothing wrong with it” was not a principle they acted upon. This idea that “there is nothing wrong with it” is how questionable activities are viewed by those outside of Christ or infants in the faith. Paul reminded us of this in 1 Corinthians 3:1.

Paul tells us to ask four questions:

First, is it helpful? Some things may be lawful for us, but are they beneficial? Second, will it enslave me? All things may be legal, but we cannot let ourselves be dominated by anything. Third, How will it affect others? We should ensure our actions will not be a stumbling block for others, no matter how lawful. Eating that piece of pie may be lawful, but will it cause someone on a diet to stumble? Lastly, does it edify? Will it help me grow in the Lord? Will it help my fellow believers with whom I have fellowship?

Mary and Joseph knew, that the “but it is okay” attitude could be a roadblock to serving God. All of us should live wisely in the presence of God. We should remember and teach our children that Christmas’s first joy is celebrating Christ. Our celebration for each other comes second.

Like the old bumper sticker says, Let’s put the Christ back in Christmas.

Peace and Grace!

Sinclair Ferguson, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace”, The Goodbook Company, 2021, 24-28.