Can you imagine a young woman being visited by an angel, receiving a message from God, that she'd give birth to the savior, to the Messiah, to the Son of God...
Imagine the look upon her face, for she'd never known a man, had never... intertwined here flesh with one. Yet I could see the mixed tears of fear and joy rolling down her cheeks, for she simply believed. She knew that this task, this charge, this blessing, this gift... came directly from the mouth of God... But hold up...
Envision the expression on the face, and the reaction of her beau, her boyfriend, her man, her fiancee Joseph. Though he'd had an experience foretelling him too, picture him when she told him, "I'm with child."... We've read the text, we know that he secretly planned to follow the customary action of writing her a letter of divorcement. Yet the scripture doesn't make it clear what his "reaction" was, if his emotions overwhelmed him and his speech became as he'd "lost his religion," or whether he simply said, "I thought you were a virgin. You lied to me." You see, Joseph knew where he'd "been," and where he "hadn't been."... He didn't need to ask anyone else, didn't need to see a doctor, and didn't need to wait until the birth of the child for a test result that states, "You are NOT the father." No, no, no no, no...
See, God knew that He was dealing with a man that knew Him. He knew that like Jesus, Joseph would never leave, nor forsake, never abandon Mary in her... condition. He knew that Joseph was a man of Faith, that would trust Him. So when trouble came, when he & Mary became as a laughing stock, as outcasts, when they had to flee, he stayed right there by her side. He didn't give up, nor give in when there was no room at the inn, or that inn... or that inn. He was there to provide for her as much as he could, not only because he loved her, but also that he trusted God to provide the rest. After all it is written, "If any man provide not for his own, specially those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." We need more "men" of faith like Joseph. Single mothers, I feel your pain, fellas man up and take care of your kids... and hers too. The old folks used to say, "If you want the milk, you gotta take the cow too." (or something like that, lol...)
This world, which we are in, but not of, celebrates this day by bearing/exchanging gifts to one another, which there's nothing wrong in that, for it's better to give than to receive. Yet the bulk of credit, glory, honor and expectation all go to the fat guy in the red & white suit, as opposed to he whom shed his blood where it is due. There's a fireplace with a chimney at my mother's house, yet I never expected to hear deer on the roof, neither anyone to come down the chimney, (especially in the hood,) for I was told at an early age, "There ain't no Santa, there ain't no Claus, there ain't nobody but ya mo' and ya paw." The greatest gift of all was given to the world thousands of years ago, that through our belief in him, the world may obtain grace, mercy, justification, and most importantly salvation leading to everlasting life. The day he was born, like his return no man knows the day, nor the hour, but Tuesday, we'll celebrate the birth of our Savior. There's no harm in saying, "Merry Christmas." But if you haven't done so, please take a moment and say, "Happy Birthday Jesus." I love y'all... Happy Holidays To You & Yours!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment