Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Joseph: - a model for righteous life.
Matthew 1:18-25

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord has commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (v. 24)

We are in another Christmas season. This is a time to remember the great love that God had for each and every one of us. The birth of Jesus Christ in the little town of Bethlehem is certainly a one time and the greatest event. In the first Christmas, God used many simple persons to carry out His plan and mission. We can see humble but great people surrounding the Christmas story, people like Joseph, Mary, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Annah, Simeon, the Shepherds, the Wise Men, etc.  Joseph is unique among them and used by God in a special way to change the course of human history and transform the life of people for ever.   
Life of Joseph was a sacramental life: - The Christmas story tells how Joseph lived a sacramental life. In ‘sacrament’ God uses earthly elements and combined it with His word. Joseph and Mary are used by God and God combined these elements with Holy Spirit in order to conceal Jesus. This mixture of the human and divine became a means for God to bless the world. Thus Christmas is an invitation for a sacramental life. Throughout the ages, God has joined His holy spirit with people to reach the world and touch lives. Sacramental lives usually demand a cost. Mary and Joseph paid a high price to be used by God in a unique and wonderful way in which they were used. 
Christmas is an invitation for righteous life: - The Gospel presents Joseph as a righteous person and he accepted God’s revelation disregarding its consequences. Joseph was in great crisis but obedient to God within it. A righteous person is one who lives according to the will of God. It is the ability to respond appropriately to God’s direction. He gave importance to the word of God rather than strictly to adhere to the religious and social law of his world. Joseph stands at the beginning of the Gospel as a model for all lives. The Angel asked Joseph not to be afraid and he gained the courage to face his problems. Joseph the righteous man was completely obedient to God. No one word is recorded in the scripture from Joseph. He is always silent, but his strength is revealed in his character and action. He paid a great price for that obedience. He married Mary and named their son Jesus. He protected Jesus from King Herod by hiding his family in Egypt. Joseph fulfilled his role. He was an ordinary person who had an extraordinary encounter with God. Christmas is a time to meditate on a person like Joseph.  
Prayer: Lord, help us to meaningfully participate in the Christmas celebrations. In a modern colorful Christmas season help us to experience Immanuel who is with us. Amen

Thought for the Day:  A righteous life is our precious gift to God.

Rev. A. B. Binu, Long Island M T C, NY.


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