(We continue our look at the Christmas Story in Luke 2. Yesterday, we focused on the angel Gabriel’s messages to Zechariah and to Mary and their responses.)
Even after Mary’s answer, Gabriel wasn’t done speaking yet. Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she became pregnant with a child by the Holy Spirit. The culture they lived in was very different from ours today – an engagement then was basically a marriage without the final ceremony. And a family’s honor was very important. A person caught in adultery could be stoned to death for that sin and the family would be caused terrible humiliation and shame. Matthew 1:19 tells us that, “Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.” In his culture it would have been very reasonable for him to divorce Mary.
Joseph was righteous and didn’t want to expose her to the public disgrace of accusations of adultery, so he chose what he thought was the best option for the situation. He was listening to the voices of his culture – his family – his people. But God had a different message he wanted Joseph to hear. The angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream. He said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus” (Matthew 1:20-25).
Now, back up and think about that for a minute. How many dreams do you have that you remember and just brush off as brain craziness or too much pizza too late last night? Yet, have you ever thought about how often God speaks to people in the Bible through dreams and visions? Jacob’s son Joseph had dreams about his brothers. The young man Daniel had insight into dreams and visions. We know from the Christmas story that Joseph and, later, the Magi were visited by God in their dreams with messages that would protect the baby Jesus.
Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus is God – so it makes sense that if God could speak to Biblical people through dreams, he can still speak to us today through them. Now, it also makes sense to measure the messages we think we get in dreams against the Bible and in consultation with wise, godly, people in our church family. However, I definitely believe that God still speaks today through dreams and I invite you to stay aware of what God may be saying to you through your dreams.
Joseph struggled with hearing, believing, and trusting the voice of God, much as I (and perhaps you) would. I expect you’d agree that it’s not an every-day experience for us to receive messages from an angel in a dream. Yet, Joseph was courageous enough to ignore the voices of his culture and community that told him to divorce her and to say “yes” when God called him to take Mary for his wife. He was aware of the Voice of God and chose to listen and obey. Mary, baby Jesus, and (by extension) WE have been blessed by his choice.
May we all have the gift and grace of hearts, minds, and spirits that can listen for your Voice, Lord Jesus Christ, and move forward courageously in the ways you call us to go. Amen.