Day 8 – Matthew 1:18-25 (If an angel came to see you)
Bible Reading – Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Opening Prayer
As we reflect on the re-assurance that you gave to Joseph. We ask that we may hear your words of guidance and reassurance in our own lives. Open our hearts and minds so that we too may hear your call to us, in the voices of angels or in the quiet whisper of your Holy Spirit.
Help us to trust that you have a task for each of us in your wondrous story.
Let your Holy Spirit fill us with the courage and strength to follow where you call us, even when the journey may be long, uncertain and difficult.
In our advent journey help us to once again listen to your voice. Amen.
Reflection
The Bible is filled with examples of God asking men and women to do things for him.
More often than not there is some dispute, from the individual, as to whether they have the required skills and courage to actually do what God is asking.
I think this is probably mirrors our own experience. When we feel prompted to some action, which we feel is being inspired by God. So often, doubts of whether we are capable start to creep in and dissuade us from doing what we feel God is asking us to do.
I chose as today’s passage the angel appearing to Joseph for a number of reasons. He does not debate with the angel. In the same way that Mary accepts God’s task, so Joseph accepts his part in the life of Jesus. Joseph is gentle and caring. Even in the shock of finding Mary is pregnant he seeks to protect her from public disgrace. Joseph provides us with a model of how we should react to what must have been deep disappointment. Not by lashing out and adding to the hurt but by remaining true to himself.
A time for your own reflection
Read the passage again and spend a little time thinking of how the passage speaks to you. The wonder of scripture is that there is always something new to discover and each passage speaks to us in our own need and circumstances.
Only if you feel you want to – share your thoughts with someone. God inspires our thoughts and you never know, the person you share with may be waiting to hear what you have to say.
Song
Today’s song came to me as I was thinking about the wonder of an angel appearing before me and how I would react. I remember writing a sermon or possibly a reflection, for a carol service, a few years ago, which ended something along the lines of – “If an angel appeared to you, what would you do?”
That thought has obviously hung around in my head since then. Unlike most other days, there is not an “acoustic” version of this one. I wanted it to be powerful and “loud”, to reflect the wonder of the thought of God asking me to do something. Some nice guitar solos in this one as well.
This one is my personal favourite of those I have written for these reflections. Maybe you wouldn’t have your heart thumping and your mind denying it was real if this happened to you but I think I would!
“If an angel came to see you”
Words: Chris Hancock
Music: Generated on Suno.com
[Verse 1]
If an angel came to see you
In the quiet of the night
If your room was filled with wonder
And a glorious blazing light
[Verse 2]
Would you gently bow your head
And listen to his words
Though your heart is really thumping
And your mind says it’s absurd
[Chorus]
God is speaking to you
Words that only you can hear
In Spirit’s sigh or angel voice
His messengers speak clear
[Post Chorus]
“Will you be the one
who will do this thing for me?”
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Would you say that you’re not worthy
To do what God asks you to do
With a pocket filled with excuses
As to why it shouldn’t be you
[Verse 4]
Would you say please ask another
That’s the better thing to do
Or accept that God is asking
He has specially chosen you
[Instrumental]
[Chorus]
God is speaking to you
Words that only you can hear
In Spirit’s sigh or angel voice
His messengers speak clear
[Post Chorus]
“Will you be the one
who will do this thing for me?”
[Verse 5]
Would you say that you’re not worthy
To do what God asks you to do
With a pocket filled with excuses
As to why it shouldn’t be you
[Outro]
“Will you be the one
who will do this thing for me?”
“Will you be the one
who will do this thing for me?”
Words © Chris Hancock
Music owned by Chris Hancock and possibly copyright is mine as well but copyright is a complicated area and A.I. generated music just adds to that complication!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the angels you send into our lives.
As we travel on our Advent journey may our ears be once more opened to the wonder of your message to us.
Remind us, that we are one of your workers as we journey to the stable. Help us to hear and understand the words you have spoken in each of our lives. Help us with words to encourage others as they too are called to your service.
We pray that on this Advent road we to will feel able to answer “I will be the one, who will do this thing for you”. Amen.
Copyrights
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Songs
Words: Chris Hancock
Music generated on Suno.com
If you were subscribed with a Pro or Premier plan when the song was created, you are the owner of the song. You also retain the rights to commercial use for the song, even if you end your subscription. Although not required, I feel honour bound to give attribution credit to Suno for all of these recordings.
Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.
