Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1.18
Joseph was just a regular carpenter who lived in Nazareth. He must have saved up so much before even speaking to Mary about his proposal of marriage. Unlike in recent times, courtship was not a thing in the olden days. There were no opportunities to eat out or walk down the seaside or discuss long-term family plans. It was a hand-to-mouth, one-day-at-a-time lifestyle when Joseph made his announcement to be engaged to Mary. He couldn’t afford a lavish wedding celebration, let alone a honeymoon like many couples today.
A few families and friends may have been notified about the low-key celebration, probably outside his hut. If you were one of his neighbours, you may have noticed a few changes around Joseph’s house or in his routines. He must have stopped taking any more orders for any more furniture or woodwork as the proposed wedding was imminent. Mary was also getting ready to leave the home she shared with her parents and packing up whatever was left of her belongings to move in with Joseph.
Then, the unthinkable happens. An angel appears to her; the birth of the Messiah is announced; she accepts to be God’s chosen vessel and is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine Mary’s heart beating fast as she walks, then runs so many miles away to share the news with Joseph? What will people say? How do we explain what’s going on to everyone? Should we cancel or delay our wedding by another year? Do you believe all I’m telling you? Are you scared, Joseph? Are you really ready for this, Mary? Why did God choose me? Who are we that God will entrust His Son to us? There must have been a lot on their minds that day and in the weeks and months after.
Joseph was a gentleman, he was concerned about Mary’s reputation, preferring to call off their relationship, then an angel appears to him. What a humble and submissive heart, many would have insisted on calling off the relationship. Few would have been gracious and wise in handling the weeks and months ahead to protect their wives. Joseph didn’t join in the gossip and jokes that must have gathered steam in town. He had a part to play in this divine mission.
For nearly nine months, they must have done all they could to keep away from prying eyes and investigative journalists. The birth of Jesus was good news with great joy for all people, but many might have been confused, not able to grapple with such details beyond their comprehension. What do you do when you have more questions than answers? Most couples are excited when a baby is on the way and choose to share their sonograms on social media. They prepare a nursery and attend antenatal classes. I bet Mary and Joseph went into hiding, struggling to understand what God was up to while planning ahead.
Then, there was an announcement of a census, and everyone was supposed to travel to their hometown. And if Joseph hadn’t visited his village in a year or had no cordial relationship with his family, then there would be more drama to manage. I have often wondered why there wasn’t a family house or a family member who could take them in or did he intentionally avoid their part of the village because he was unprepared for what they might say? So, why would he rather pay for the smallest room in an inn than stay with family?
Many Christmas movies, pictures and stories depict Mary on a donkey travelling with Joseph, but the Bible is silent about this detail. Just like many who assume there must have been three wise men because of the three gifts, no one knows how large the group was? We don’t know if Joseph had a donkey or had to borrow one or if they had to walk all the way. And whether all that walking for several miles hastened the birth?
Did Joseph close his shop completely for nine months as Mary became heavy and if he did, then that must have resulted in a loss of income and less to save towards their wedding. And after Jesus was born, did they leave Bethlehem in a hurry once the census was complete or were they able to rent a place? Joseph must have considered reopening his carpentry shed at some point to earn some income. This delay or disruption must have set him back a bit. Were there times he wondered what God was up to in all this?
Finally, Joseph understood that all this had been planned long ago. As they scrambled to settle in the cattle shed to lay Jesus in the manger, both of them were amazed that several organized groups of people arrived to acknowledge the Saviour who had just been born. Some who had even been travelling even before Jesus was born, others lived only a few miles away. Then, the news spread all over town that some very important person had been born in the village. Nazareth earns a spot on the map!
It wasn’t long after the wise men had seen Jesus that Herod instructed all baby boys two years and under to be killed. Imagine Mary and Joseph settling down in their new home, meeting their new neighbours and Joseph reopening his carpentry shop while Mary recovered from the pains of labour and delivery. Then an angel appears to Joseph. I find it interesting that the angel appears only to Joseph on this occasion. He was to take the lead to relocate the family to Egypt asap as Jesus’ life was in grave danger. Mary doesn’t argue even although this move wasn’t convenient. They do not have much time to pack up all their belongings, they might have left some things behind as they travelled in the dead of night to a new country. One more disruption they had to adjust to. I admire their readiness and commitment to obey God. Some might have refused to move and prayed for Herod’s death, even though their safety was not guaranteed. I’m constantly praying for discernment to know when God wants me to wait and pray or step out in faith and take my next step.
They moved to Egypt and lived there for nearly two years until another appearance by an angel and the announcement to return. Their Egyptian neighbours must have wondered why they had moved. Were they undercover agents? Did Joseph learn a new trade, or did he work for another carpenter? Did Mary wish they would be in Egypt for a long time? Their family and friends in Bethlehem would have been worried sick for their safety when they couldn’t find them after a few days. It must have been so chaotic moving to a new place and moving again and again. They had no clue when they were returning to Israel but they patiently waited.
And all this happened according to the prophecies that were foretold so many years before Jesus was born. Joseph is a silent example to certain men who struggle to support their wives when God entrusts them with a strange calling. The series of disruption didn’t really matter to Joseph as long as God’s plans and purpose were being accomplished. Some are exhausted and unfulfilled building their ‘carpentry business’ while God continues to disrupt their plans, while patiently drawing their attention to the pursuit of a higher calling. For the One who has given us everything, nothing is a sacrifice to bring joy to the Father’s heart.
As we contemplate the life of Joseph and how he surrendered himself and his plans to be disrupted by God, we see a man who was humble and teachable, willing and obedient, prepared to do anything for God’s glory. And when God disrupts our plan, let’s never forget, there’s a higher purpose to be achieved. What a privilege to partner with God’s Spirit to see His mission accomplished on earth.
Lord, here am I, send me. Amen.