I consider myself to be dreamer. And growing up, I had some very big hopes and dreams regarding the Christmas season. Year after year, I pictured how Christmas would be, down to every detail. Not surprisingly, Christmas didn’t always look like it did in my head. It is like, life itself sometimes. Not only do we have Christmas expectations, but we also have hopes and plans for our lives. And like how the holidays are not always that perfect picture in our head, our plans for our lives don’t always go the way we dream.
Life does not always go the way we wanted. Sometimes, our plans are different, from what reality gives us. In a thousand ways, life often alters the outcome of our dreams. It brings uncertainty and change. It may bring us hurt or disappointment or fear. However, God’s word for us in that is to not fear that which is uncertain, for God is with us.
In Mathew, chapter 1, we get a glimpse of Joseph’s perspective on the events of the Christmas story. We do not know much about Joseph from scripture. We do know that he was a righteous man, a craftsman, and was engaged to be married to Mary. We also, can assume, that Joseph certainly knew what it was like to have reality change his dreams for his future.
Joseph was just going along with his life and then one day, two words changed his life forever. We do not know who told him that the woman he was going to marry was expecting a child that was not his, but in that moment, all the dreams Joseph had pictured for their life together were changed.
Joseph, rather than exposing Mary, as an adulterer, and risking her life or justifiably stoning her himself, Joseph resolves after what I’m sure was quite the deliberation to end their relationship quietly. However, God has a different plan in mind for Joseph. Just like how, God may have a different and far better plan for us.
God gives him a message of good news. In a dream, God speaks to Joseph and tells him, “Do not be afraid.” This is the message that Mary’s son, told his disciples again and again. And it is the message that God has for all of us, amidst dashed hopes, and fears. God tells us, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
The name Emmanuel, means, God is with us. And Emmanuel, it is one of the many names that we have for Jesus.
Because God is with us, we have assurance that we can call upon God’s name in our uncertainty, fear, distress and joy. God is with us! This is what God promises us; today, tomorrow, Christmas, and always!
Mary Wiggins serves as pastor of the Scranton Lutheran Parish.
