To
kick off our 19th annual Treasures of Hope Christmas Store, we're
profiling individuals who played a role in the story of Jesus' birth in
#12DaystoTreasures.
Serving as a facilitator can be difficult. Circumstances can cast the facilitator in the shadows. Joseph, Mary's fiance, and later husband, served in this role. The Bible speaks of Joseph sparingly, but what it says of this man was pivotal.
Joseph supported Mary in a work that began before the foundation of the world. He may not have initially understood the depths of what was happening when he learned that his fiancee was pregnant, but his character was revealed at each step. He demonstrated loyalty and compassion when he planned to break his betrothal with Mary quietly. Once the will of Heaven was revealed to him, however, he willingly facilitated the will of God. Each of these traits provides an amazing picture of an unforgettable leader who led from behind the scenes:
Joseph facilitated Mary's safety and thus protected the Baby Jesus. What if Joseph had refused to serve because Gabriel hadn't appeared to him first and explained the plan of God? What if Joseph had pushed his weight around as a man? What if he had had Mary punished to the fullest extent of the Jewish law because it was his right?
Joseph did none of these things. Instead he stepped into his role as a facilitator. Success requires guides throughout our lives who bring people and circumstances seamlessly together. God blessed Joseph by allowing him to see that he had a role that mattered in the Nativity, of the Christmas story.
Note that the angel addresses Joseph's kingly ancestry-- the line of David. Perhaps reminding Joseph of his spiritual inheritance empowered Joseph to support Mary selflessly and to serve God eagerly. In fact, that same selflessness and obedience to God were kingly traits that Jesus would display in His earthly ministry, eternally reflecting His endless love as King of Kings.
Every day, Dallas Leadership Foundation and our dedicated volunteers facilitate a myriad of ministry opportunities God grants us. During this time of the year, we serve Dallas families by facilitating an affordable shopping experience and a a time of fellowship, food and fun through the Treasures of Hope Christmas Store.
And it's a honor.
Serving as a facilitator can be difficult. Circumstances can cast the facilitator in the shadows. Joseph, Mary's fiance, and later husband, served in this role. The Bible speaks of Joseph sparingly, but what it says of this man was pivotal.
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. 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.
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. 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.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25).
Joseph facilitated Mary's safety and thus protected the Baby Jesus. What if Joseph had refused to serve because Gabriel hadn't appeared to him first and explained the plan of God? What if Joseph had pushed his weight around as a man? What if he had had Mary punished to the fullest extent of the Jewish law because it was his right?
Joseph did none of these things. Instead he stepped into his role as a facilitator. Success requires guides throughout our lives who bring people and circumstances seamlessly together. God blessed Joseph by allowing him to see that he had a role that mattered in the Nativity, of the Christmas story.
Note that the angel addresses Joseph's kingly ancestry-- the line of David. Perhaps reminding Joseph of his spiritual inheritance empowered Joseph to support Mary selflessly and to serve God eagerly. In fact, that same selflessness and obedience to God were kingly traits that Jesus would display in His earthly ministry, eternally reflecting His endless love as King of Kings.
Every day, Dallas Leadership Foundation and our dedicated volunteers facilitate a myriad of ministry opportunities God grants us. During this time of the year, we serve Dallas families by facilitating an affordable shopping experience and a a time of fellowship, food and fun through the Treasures of Hope Christmas Store.
And it's a honor.
If you want to donate toys and other items to Treasures of Hope so that we can make Christmas special for hundreds of Dallas families, please visit our online store at dlftx.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment