Boxing Day When God’s Best, Breaks Me Out of My Small Box
Little Lord Jesus Infant King, You knew that Father offered the next best to heaven - Mother's Womb – when you, Creator God, had to come in feeble form, He also emphasized sanctity of womb life, marriage and family. In an age, family is under assault, it is refreshing and instructive to reflect on the Holy Family.
Midnight Friend – Joseph
Anyone can have a dark night of the soul (DNS). So you need a midnight friend. (MF). Even if you are out of contact for some time, he is there for you. She will not judge you but help you. Even when you get a friend calling on your door at midnight for needy bread (physical bread, counsel, comfort, shelter, asylum), you can refer for help from your Midnight Friend. Everyone flips, at an inconvenient hour. So be merciful. We need midnight friend and please be one yourself. When people look blackest, MF will arise with the silver streak anointing an angel dispatched to avert crisis, stop suicide. Let’s commit ourselves to be a midnight friend like Joseph.
Jesus in Mary’s Womb – His Sociological Identificational Parade
Let’s imagine the Infant King in Virgin Mary’s womb, taking travel thru war ravaged terrain – further ravaged by man’s injustice to man.
• Little Lord Jesus Infant King, You knew that Father offered the next best to heaven - Mother's Womb - sanctity of womb life.
• Jesus in Mary’s womb was conceived in Nazareth despised by fellow Galileans. He knew contempt, suspicion, put down, innuendos even from Mother’s womb.
• Jesus in Mary’s womb passed thru Nain helping widow and orphan, healing lepers
• Jesus in Mary’s womb passed thru Samaria - alienated, perhaps stopping at ancestor Jacob’s well to quench their thirst, where He would meet Samaritan woman - outcast.
• Jesus in Mary’s womb passed thru Jericho which He would on His way to crucifixion and meet Zaccheus.
Joseph Was No Toad in the Well
• Joseph was only an unknown carpenter - for many, the small area of their expertise becomes their ceiling and fence
• Not so for Joseph – he understood, greatness will come by aligning to God’s promotion
• Let not your earthly labour and achievement box you out of God’s Best Christmas
• Joseph did not fear to break out of the Galilean and Nazareth mould – as Peter was on Temptation and Trial night
• When trial, testing, barbs and brickbats came, Joseph said – God’s anvil and hammer will enlarge my vessel and my scope. Many like expansion but try to avoid the process of anvil and hammer.
Joseph Under Stress said – When the Going Gets Tough, Tough Get Going
• Was willing to let go vengeance and forgive Mary if that was the case – he didn’t insist on his right
• His obedience was instant – they both heard God and obeyed - He protected Mary
• Angel quoted God’s word – Joseph knew Isaiah prophecy
• Joseph cultivated the habit of hearing heaven – way for prosperity – this saved Baby Jesus’ life.
• He kept the faith – Dedicated Jesus on the 8th day with offering
• He was richly provided gold, myrrh and frankincense
Joseph – Sheet Anchor Role in Holy Family
• Joseph is one who has understood that his destiny is to serve another who has a great call from God. Not that Joseph’s call was less but different and supplementary. All cannot be in the lead role.
• Joseph became the team member who got the most difficult parts of Project Immanuel. His call was, “Do whatever need be for King to be born”. Shift the straw. Clean up the dung. Wash the food trough. Find the bandages. There went Joseph’s best robe. Be midwife for one night with no training. One moment great elation that three kings came to worship the babe and in the next, great danger that Herod will kill – fleeing in the night.
Most Menial Work to Make others to shine
• Joseph understands that on his toil the gifts of others shine. In the fellow-ship of HMS Apeksha, Joseph is on lower deck pulling the oars (work of Galley slaves). Singers are high on the sails for all to see. Others reach down and save the sinking taking them into life boats. Yet others man the guns to keep the enemy at bay. Some read maps and keep the ship on course. In fact the whole profession is called sailors though Joy-serfs are indispensable. Josephs are Joy-serfs who toil for others to shine. Their joy is another’s trophy. Trainers, coach, teachers all have the ministry of Joseph.
• Joseph demonstrates the ministry of the shepherd. Shepherd has to lead and follow and be on a side when there is danger that sheep may fall of the ledge. Shepherd leads until he gets them to new pasture. He follows them when sheep have to move thru known.
Let us remember and emulate Joseph at this time. Humble carpenter of Galilee who became world famous.
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