WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.839 Well, thank you so much, Anna. And morning people, morning people, morning folks. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:08.099 Great to see you. If I haven't met you before, my name is Graeme and I'm the pastor here of the church. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:13.439 And it's always a delight on this Sunday in particular to welcome people to our church gatherings. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:17.120 So a special welcome this morning if this is your first Sunday with us. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:25.539 Talking of nativities, here is one of my favourite bloopers from a school nativity play. 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:26.620 So picture the scene. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:30.620 Mary and Joseph have made it to Bethlehem. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:35.079 Baby Jesus has been born and he's lying in the manger. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:37.179 Silent night has been sung. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:42.679 The shepherds have come and gone and it's the wise men and their turn to shine. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:45.260 Wise man number one pipes up. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:47.679 Baby Jesus, I bring you some gold. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:48.719 Nailed it. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:51.359 Wise man number two pipes up. 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:54.400 Baby Jesus, I bring you some myrrh. 00:00:54.540 --> 00:00:55.020 Nailed it. 00:00:55.020 --> 00:01:01.680 And in all, attention turns to wise man number three who cannot remember his line. 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:06.740 But not being one to let the side down, he thinks I'll have a pop at this. 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:12.180 And so he pipes up and says, Baby Jesus, I think Frank sent this. 00:01:14.820 --> 00:01:17.079 And if you asked me, I think he knew exactly what he was doing. 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:17.920 But here's what I want to do. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:28.299 I want to take us from a boy in a Christmas nativity who fluffed his line to a man in the original Christmas drama who absolutely nailed his line. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:31.459 Come with me to this passage and see what's going on. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:37.480 Here is the man who I think is often the unsung hero of the Christmas story. 00:01:37.480 --> 00:01:46.920 And he's the man who's got so much, I think, to teach us about what it is to live as a Christian and live this life of faith. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:55.820 And it's worth emphasizing before we get into this, that these are not events that happened in a galaxy far, far away. 00:01:56.920 --> 00:02:00.579 This is not the land of make-believe. 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:09.639 The setting for the birth of the narrative of Jesus is placed squarely in the context of secular human history. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:10.340 Do you see it? 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:12.879 It's full of real people. 00:02:14.419 --> 00:02:16.039 It's full of real events. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:17.419 It's full of real places. 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:23.259 And as we saw last week, if you remember Matthew, the first part of Matthew chapter 1, this is a real family tree. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:28.780 Full of all sorts of mess and complications and ordinariness. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:29.099 Yes. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:38.780 You see, as Matthew tells us this Christmas story, he focuses in on this legal descendant of David who's called Joseph. 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:40.159 Do you see that? 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:43.699 Got it at the end of verse 16. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:52.099 This young village carpenter who is pledged to be married to this girl called Mary. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:03:01.219 And what we need to appreciate is that to be engaged or to be pledged to be married is more in this day than what we would understand to be engaged. 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:09.099 In this culture, this means more like what we'd understand to mean it's already a done deal. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:12.459 Here are Mary and Joseph. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.419 And what's remarkable about these two, see if you see it here. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:20.459 What's remarkable about these two is just how unremarkable they are. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:25.339 Mary's not climbing the corporate ladder. 00:03:27.339 --> 00:03:30.679 Joseph's not on course to complete his 15th Iron Man. 00:03:30.799 --> 00:03:32.959 Simon Cowell would not declare about these two. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:34.560 These two have got the X factor. 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:35.739 Who are they? 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:38.279 They are just two ordinary people. 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:48.120 But they're two ordinary people who I take it are trusting the promises of an extraordinary God. 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:52.139 So we pick up Joseph's story at verse 18. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:54.819 And here is the scene in front of him. 00:03:55.219 --> 00:04:01.000 Really simply, Mary's pregnant and Joseph knows that he's not the father. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:01.819 That's the scene. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:05.340 Sounds like something from Jeremy Kyle, doesn't it? 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:13.200 And sometimes we get so used to the story that we can become numb to the pain that's wrapped up in that discovery. 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:20.319 This is absolutely crushing news for Joseph. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:25.319 And the obvious path ahead of him, if you look at it there, verse 19. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:37.620 Because he's a faithful to the law kind of guy, the obvious path, I think you could probably say the expected path, is for him to call the marriage off. 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:38.600 And so what has he done? 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:44.879 Do you see he's decided, if you look at it there, that he's going to call it off behind the scenes. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:50.019 And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, verse 20, have a look. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:51.639 There's a choice before him. 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:56.899 So this angel appears and this angel has got a message for Joseph. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:58.599 Again, do you see it in the text? 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:01.879 Verse 20 to 23, here's the message. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:06.479 It's really simply two instructions followed by two names. 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:07.099 Do you see it? 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:09.759 Have a look at it. 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:10.500 The two instructions. 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:15.879 Firstly, Joseph, you need to be the husband that Mary needs you to be to her. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:21.600 And second, Joseph, you need to be the father that this boy needs you to be to him. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:22.699 That's the two instructions. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:26.180 And here's the two names. 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:27.360 Again, do you see it in the text? 00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:30.879 Firstly, verse 21, his name is Jesus. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:32.740 Why call him that? 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:37.560 Why not call him Joseph like his dad? 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:42.300 Well, the angel tells us, do you see it again? 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:46.720 Because that name means something. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:52.240 Now, boys and girls, if you were sitting there and you're not, I would have asked you, do you know what your name means? 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.259 Rhetorical question. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.980 Folks, do you know what your name means? 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:57.360 Do you know what my name means? 00:05:57.360 --> 00:06:00.639 I'm always thankful for my mum and dad, who will likely be watching on the live stream for this. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:02.300 My name means gravel. 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:10.779 Which might explain why in 2023 there were only 23 babies named Graham born in the UK. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:13.459 And we're hanging on in there, just about. 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:14.579 But here's the question. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:15.599 Why call him Jesus? 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:16.719 Do you see it? 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:18.779 Why call him Jesus? 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:22.419 Because he will save his people from their sins. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.079 Do you see it? 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.439 And isn't that interesting? 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:33.319 That before this baby is even born, God wants us to know about his death. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:35.759 Isn't that interesting? 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:38.860 Before he's even born, God wants us to know about his death. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:43.420 And it tells you everything you need to know about this child. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:49.659 That the life he's come to bring is all wrapped up in the death that he will die. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:53.900 Here's the second name, verse 23. 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:56.280 He is Emmanuel. 00:06:57.140 --> 00:07:00.060 That just means God with us. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:08.180 So these two names, Jesus, God with us, converging in this baby in the womb. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:17.260 And Joseph's told, you see, verse 20, that the life in Mary's womb is going to be God's doing, not man's. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:22.560 Now here at this point is where we need to appreciate what's going on. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:28.899 And we need to not commit what C.S. Lewis famously called chronological snobbery. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.599 Now Joseph might be from a backwater place. 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:34.300 He might be from a different time. 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:37.560 But make no mistake, this dude isn't gullible. 00:07:38.719 --> 00:07:40.539 And you see it in his reaction. 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:41.279 Do you see it? 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:43.539 He didn't skip the birds and the bees at school. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:48.140 Well, he knows there's only one way for a woman to get pregnant and it ain't happened. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:51.819 He's all set to end it with Mary when he finds out. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:54.420 All of that shows us that this guy isn't gullible. 00:07:57.340 --> 00:07:59.200 And yet he's faced with this bit of news. 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:00.360 What does the angel say? 00:08:03.340 --> 00:08:05.320 That she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:12.500 And what we've arrived at here, the station that we've arrived at here, is the virgin birth. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:21.279 And Matthew goes to lengths in this passage from different angles to make sure that we see that point. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.100 The virgin birth. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:25.680 And listen, maybe at that point you're here and I've totally lost you. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:34.680 I mean, that claim is up there with Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the guy in the red suit and sleigh who's popular at this time of year. 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:39.000 Do you seriously expect us to believe in the year 2025? 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:44.659 In something like a virgin birth. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:47.100 It's just an absurd suggestion. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:54.120 Now let me just say, whoever you are here today, it is right that we think long and hard about the plausibility of the Bible. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:55.399 This stands up to scrutiny. 00:08:55.560 --> 00:08:59.379 And if you're here today and you're asking that question, it's a wonderful question to ask. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.840 Can we trust this? 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:10.159 But let me put it to you that if there is an all-powerful God who created the world out of nothing, 00:09:12.160 --> 00:09:16.580 then this really isn't outside the realm of possibility for him. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:20.100 Ah, you say, that's exactly. 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:21.460 I don't believe there's a God. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:24.420 I don't believe in any of this miraculous stuff. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:29.899 Again, let me just lovingly suggest to you that whoever you are here today, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:34.120 you probably believe in more miraculous stuff than you think you do. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:38.200 For instance, take the creation of the world. 00:09:38.300 --> 00:09:39.180 Here's Stephen Hawking. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.519 Try this one on for science. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:46.340 He said this, because there is a law like gravity, the universe can and will create itself. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.680 Out of nothing. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:55.519 And listen, while there's elements of truth in there, it still doesn't explain why there's something rather than nothing. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:10:02.879 I remember sitting in the biology class at school, listening to the teacher explain to us the how, 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:06.800 and finding her reasoning intellectually unsatisfying. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:16.079 Can I suggest that there's truth in the slightly mischievous words of Glenn Scrivener, who said this, if this is where you're at? 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:18.719 He said, Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:21.319 Atheists believe in the virgin birth of the universe. 00:10:21.479 --> 00:10:22.179 Choose your miracle. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.179 Choose your miracle. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:24.179 Choose your miracle. 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:25.839 One worth thinking on, isn't it? 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.099 Choose your miracle. 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:29.339 But here's the thing. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:32.539 That aside, that the virgin birth happened is one thing. 00:10:32.979 --> 00:10:34.919 Why it happened is quite another. 00:10:35.739 --> 00:10:40.039 And probably the thing that Matthew wants to emphasize as we're reading his gospel. 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.659 Why did it have to happen like this? 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:59.480 And the answer is that the solution to mankind's problem, our problem, my problem, the answer to that problem is not going to come from the human gene pool. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:04.039 And history is a long testimony to that, isn't it? 00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:07.039 Here's late British historian Eric Hobsbawne. 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:07.959 I think I've said that right. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:12.780 He referred to the 20th century as the most murderous in recorded history. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:17.139 But the answer is not going to come from us. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.840 God needs to step in here. 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:28.639 Like he promised he would, the saviour that we need needs to come from the outside in. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:33.540 So he's not to be stained with our sin and all of our problems and all of our mess. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:35.120 He needs to come from the outside in. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:39.700 And at the same time, he needs to come from the inside out as it were. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:44.200 He needs to be one of us to stand in our place and yet not tainted with our sin. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:52.820 And so the virgin birth, far from being a take it or leave it piece of the Christian jigsaw, 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:56.759 is actually one of the key building blocks of the Christian faith. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:59.320 It's like a game of Jenga if you're playing that over Christmas time. 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:04.700 I would, but I've long given up trying to tidy up those bricks with kids. 00:12:05.900 --> 00:12:07.700 It's like a game of Jenga on Boxing Day. 00:12:07.760 --> 00:12:11.500 You pull out this brick, you pull out the virgin birth and the whole thing comes crashing down. 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:17.760 Here is Jesus, fully God and fully man. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:23.519 God promised that he would come mightily to save his people. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:29.319 And God promised that he himself would come gloriously to dwell with his people. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:36.799 And both of those truths so wonderfully converge in the baby in Mary's womb. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.879 And friends, it's all wrapped up in that word fulfilled. 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:42.120 Do you see it there? 00:12:42.839 --> 00:12:43.839 Do you see it in the text? 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:45.799 It's all wrapped up in that word fulfilled. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:49.019 This is what Matthew sees happening in this moment. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:54.659 Matthew, this boy who would have been brought up, a Jew, made some bad calls in his life, 00:12:54.979 --> 00:12:59.659 ended up being a tax collector, but decided to follow Jesus, gets to know Jesus, 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:06.059 looks back on his life and sees that God was faithful to fulfill his promise. 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:08.059 It means God's got a plan. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.279 God's got a plan. 00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:12.959 That's what that word fulfill means. 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:17.819 A plan hatched in eternity past. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:21.379 A plan playing out through the pages of history. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:24.099 And a plan one day that will return, as we'll see in a minute, 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:26.599 with Jesus returning to make all things new. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:28.500 And here's how this impacted me this week. 00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:31.199 My life, friends, feels very ordinary. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:31.919 Is yours? 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:36.039 Doing the dishes, again, sweeping the floor. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.919 Again, doing the school run. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.599 Again, taking out the trash. 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:42.219 Again, turning on the TV. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.839 Again, making sandwiches. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.699 Again, does your life feel like that? 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.279 Ordinary? 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:47.879 Ordinary? 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:53.219 And the thing is that Mary and Joseph find meaning in their ordinary lives 00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:58.359 when they get swept up in the story and plan of an extraordinary God. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.080 And that's the comfort for us in this passage. 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:06.019 If your life feels ordinary, it's chaotic, look to the God who knows the end from the beginning. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:11.360 And it's all wrapped up in that word fulfilled. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.120 Do you see it? 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:17.279 And Matthew's going to use it again and again and again in this gospel. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:17.899 Fulfilled. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:25.600 Right here, it's unfolding right before Mary in Joseph's lives. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:31.059 Truly, Bethlehem, the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:33.100 But let's come back to Joseph. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.620 Let's try and get back to him a minute. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.340 Zoom out. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.500 See the big story? 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:37.399 God's plan? 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.899 Zoom in on this man here. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.179 Joseph. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:45.319 And here's where we need to think back to the school nativity at the start 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:46.959 and the boy who fluffed his line. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:47.659 You back there? 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.539 With me? 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.159 Back there? 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:52.379 Well, here's Joe's, if I can call him that. 00:14:52.859 --> 00:14:55.059 Here's his one line in the original Christmas drama. 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:57.239 Do you see it at the end of verse 25? 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.839 Blink and you might miss it, but do you see his one line that he's going to deliver? 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:03.000 He's got one line in this. 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.699 Do you see it? 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:08.919 His name is Jesus. 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:10.000 That's his one line. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:15.539 And remember, he's still in that place of raw pain with this discovery. 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:18.799 He's got real questions. 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:22.919 Here's the big choice that's facing Joseph. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:27.859 Will he lean the whole weight of his life on the word of the Lord here? 00:15:30.359 --> 00:15:34.939 Will he absorb every ounce of shame that's going to come his way 00:15:34.939 --> 00:15:38.979 because he chooses to associate himself with Mary? 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:48.539 And most of all, will he place his hope and his trust in the truth of who this Jesus is? 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.500 Will he do that? 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:54.519 Or will he walk away and break it off? 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:56.279 It's his choice, isn't it? 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.460 It's his choice. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:16:00.980 Really simply, will he walk by faith? 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:04.680 Or will he walk by sight? 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:08.599 Love this guy. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.179 See what he does at verse 24. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:13.799 See him embrace the path ahead of him. 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:14.799 What does Joseph do? 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.299 See verse 24 and 25. 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:18.500 See in the text those two verbs. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.879 Number one, he did. 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:22.860 You see that? 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.440 He did. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.759 He did what the angel of the Lord commanded him. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.620 He took Mary to be his wife. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.100 He did. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.159 Second verb. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.440 He gave. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:35.060 The child. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.640 The name. 00:16:37.880 --> 00:16:38.300 Jesus. 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:40.260 Do you see how he absolutely nailed his one line? 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:46.259 And there were no parents out with their phone cameras. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:49.720 And there were no grannies out with their hankies. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:54.019 And there were no teachers encouraging everyone to stand up and clap saying, 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.120 Encore, encore. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.299 Can we do it again? 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.480 But boy, you've got to understand what they've been rejoicing in heaven 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:04.519 as to what God was doing in this, the most glorious of moments. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.559 Heaven is breaking in. 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:12.720 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:15.180 When angels turn up in the Bible, they are a bit like Edinburgh buses. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:17.799 You wait for ages for one and then four turn up at once. 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.200 It is that kind of gig in the Bible. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.319 But see when you see them, listen. 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:27.759 Something magnificent is happening here. 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.940 It's a glorious moment here. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.279 Glorious moment. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.879 But here's the thing. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:36.920 We can easily get sentimental at this point in the story. 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:42.080 Like this was some kind of first century version of love actually. 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:45.400 It all ends happily ever after. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:48.519 It's a few bumps in the road in this Christmas romance. 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:52.060 But everything ends up happily ever, ever after. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.620 But let's not kid ourselves. 00:17:55.940 --> 00:18:00.700 Life from this moment on for this young family would have been anything but rainbows and unicorns. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:04.940 I mean, Nazareth, it isn't a big place. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:10.039 What you need to know about Nazareth is there's really nothing to know about Nazareth. 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.960 It's always the deal. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.700 It's not a big place. 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:14.940 And people being people being people. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:19.420 A bit of juicy news like that would have got around the village pretty quickly. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:22.080 What we say in Glasgow, that would have been the talk of the steamy. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:22.720 Right? 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.720 What's going on here? 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:30.740 And Joseph and Mary will likely endure years of looks and questions and mocking. 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:40.380 But you see how as for them and their house, they're serving the Lord. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:44.400 We're going to associate ourselves with this baby. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:47.160 Of course, it's true here today, isn't it? 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:52.740 The shame that comes often when we associate ourselves with this baby. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:56.440 Right there is the life of faith, isn't it? 00:18:56.500 --> 00:19:00.620 Trusting in and standing on and walking in light of the promises of God. 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:06.319 And so here is Joseph showing us at this stage in Matthew's gospel what that looks like. 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:10.920 To live by faith and not by sight. 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:15.579 You know, the last time that we see Joseph mentioned in the Bible 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:21.380 is when the 12-year-old Jesus is in the temple in Luke chapter 2. 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.500 Right? 00:19:22.560 --> 00:19:26.720 It's a story where they go to the temple and then they're walking home, as it were. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:29.160 Jesus gets lost and they go back and he's at the temple. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.920 You should have known to find me in my father's house. 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:35.540 That's the last time we see Joseph in the biblical narrative. 00:19:35.540 --> 00:19:37.520 And we don't read about Joseph after that. 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:44.580 Which means in all likelihood, he died well before Jesus began his public ministry when he was 30. 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:51.299 Which I think means that Jesus knows, dear friends, if this is you here today, 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:56.199 if there's an empty space around your Christmas table, Jesus knows what it is to lose a parent. 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.779 But just think about that for a moment. 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:01.720 What did Joseph not get to see? 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.659 He never saw Jesus perform miracles. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:10.580 He never heard Jesus teach. 00:20:14.060 --> 00:20:23.740 And he never saw Jesus fulfill everything that his name suggested as he saved his people from their sin as he died on the cross. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.279 Didn't get to see any of it. 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:31.900 And you see in passing how there's a wonderful parallel there, if you like, between father and son. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:41.600 Here is Joseph willing to embrace the shame that would come his way because he chose to associate himself with his bride. 00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:50.220 And years later, Jesus wouldn't just embrace the shame, but he would absorb the shame, the guilt and the sin. 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:58.480 Because he chose to associate himself with his bride, the church, as he dies on the cross for the sin of his people. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:01.460 It's a wonderful parallel there between father and son. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:06.800 But Jesus never saw, Joseph never saw Jesus die on the cross. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:10.460 And Joseph never saw Jesus rise from the grave. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:14.800 And Joseph never saw Jesus ascend to heaven where he is right now. 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:16.460 He didn't get to see any of it. 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:21.880 And yet you see how that was no barrier to him in this moment. 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:27.100 Placing his faith in the identity of this child. 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:36.000 You know, just as we close, do you know what the, what words were shouted in my ear this morning? 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:39.480 Not long after getting up. 00:21:39.699 --> 00:21:44.179 Daddy, daddy, can you help me find door number 14? 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:51.160 Eve up bright and early warning her Advent calendar. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:53.420 Grandma bought us, bought them a lint one this year. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:56.360 We are happy, happy kids in our household. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:22:03.500 But you know, Kate said at the start, and this is where I was going to finish and just remind us of this as we look at Joseph and him looking forward in faith. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.179 Trusting in God's promises. 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:08.439 That word Advent, it just means coming, doesn't it? 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:15.160 When we open those doors, what we're doing is we're counting down, as it were, to the first coming of Jesus. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:19.880 But today we're actually waiting for his second coming. 00:22:20.080 --> 00:22:21.559 So we find ourselves in history. 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:25.880 So I always try to do that when we open those doors to remember his first coming. 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:28.980 But to remember that we are waiting on his second coming. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:35.120 When he won't come as humble, mild, meek, baby Jesus. 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:40.059 Actually, he'll come as victorious King Jesus. 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.679 And all wrongs will be put to right. 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:46.479 Perfect justice will be executed. 00:22:46.739 --> 00:22:48.599 Every tear will be wiped away. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:51.459 And sin and death will be distant memories. 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:57.939 Listen, we started by thinking about a boy in the Christmas nativity who fluffed his line. 00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:03.379 We thought about Joseph in the original Christmas drama who absolutely nailed his line. 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:07.820 But right at the end of the Bible story, we read another line. 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:13.680 And it's the final line in the Bible, if you like, from the risen and reigning King Jesus. 00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:17.320 A word to his people who are waiting for his coming. 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:23.720 And that line is simply, yes, I am coming soon. 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:30.500 And so like Jesus, friends, we might find ourselves in a different part of God's story. 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.539 Jesus has come. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.380 Jesus has died. 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:32.920 He's risen. 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.860 But like Joseph, we are waiting. 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:39.039 And we're living according to the promises of God. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:43.019 Waiting for this Jesus to wonderfully return. 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:46.619 And maybe even this morning as you hear this and respond to it. 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:51.859 Maybe even this morning is a morning when you would put your faith in this Jesus. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:54.900 Knowing that he would do exactly what his name suggests. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:59.400 As he would die for our sin on the cross. 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:03.940 Born thy people to deliver. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:07.539 Born a child and yet a king. 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:11.019 Born to reign in us forever. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:13.319 Now thy gracious kingdom bring. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.740 By thine own eternal spirit. 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:19.539 Rule in all our hearts alone. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:23.559 By thine all sufficient merit. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:28.019 Raise us to thy glorious throne. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.339 Let me pray. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:35.720 Our Heavenly Father, we thank you so much this morning. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:39.200 For sending Jesus. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:42.480 The lights of the world. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.500 Emmanuel. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:46.819 The one who would come to save us from our sins. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.840 You sent him into our darkness. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.539 To save us. 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:55.240 And we ask that you would help us to be the people. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:58.160 Who are faithfully waiting. 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:04.100 And who base our lives on the truth of your every word. 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:08.159 Father, we thank you for all the joy. 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:12.980 And all the wonder that this time of year brings to us. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:20.419 But Father, may we just gaze upon once again the most wonderful gift we could ever hope to receive. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:27.519 That is the forgiveness and newness of life that is found in this one called Jesus. 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.220 So Father, thank you for this morning. 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:32.580 We pray you'd be with us as we finish our time together. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.460 In Jesus' wonderful name we pray. 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:35.740 Amen. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:35.880 Amen. 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.680 Amen. 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:36.680 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.100 Amen. 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.100 00:25:37.099 --> 00:26:07.079 Thank you.