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Celebrating Advent - Lesson 5

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Sing: Hark The Herald Angels Sing


Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

 (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Summary: Joseph encounters an angel as he considers his plan to divorce Mary. It is important to consider that God does not like divorce, yet Joseph is considered a just man. This looks like God is sympathizing with the difficulty of Joseph's situation. We can appreciate the fact that God is understanding and that sometimes we have difficult decisions to make. God shows his understanding by sending an angel to comfort Joseph rather than condemn him. We see the compassion of God that Psalm 103:13-14 talks about.

Questions/Responses:
Joseph has a very tough decision to make. He decides to divorce Mary. Was this a good decision? It seems like a good decision to Joseph but God has a different solution!

 Does God like divorce? No, God does not like divorce. He always stays faithful to his people and he never gives up on his people. 

 Is God angry with Joseph when he decides to divorce Mary? No, he is not angry, he sends Joseph an angel!

 What is an angel? An angel is a messenger of God. Angels bring very special messages from God to people. When we hear of angels we know there is something very special going on, like the birth of his son.

 What did God want to tell Joseph? God wanted to tell Joseph that he shouldn't be afraid to take Mary as his wife. 

 What does this tell us about God? It tells us that what Psalm 103:13-14 tells us is true: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. God understands that Joseph was trying his best to do what was right but  he was limited.

 Jesus being born as a human is a big deal. It means that God has become a man and he is so much more understanding of our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. One of the reasons we celebrate Christmas is because it reminds us that Jesus became a man and God the Father loves us and understands us as his sons who have weaknesses and limitations. 

Prayer and Ending
Father in heaven, thank you for being a heavenly father who shows us that you love us and understand us. Thank you for sending your own son, Jesus, to be born as a man. We are thankful that he can sympathize with us and we thank you that he is God and we thank you that he never sinned. Help us to turn to you for forgiveness and compassion. AMEN!

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