"You'll Go Down in His Story..."

 

12-21-2021

Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. When he had contemplated 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 as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord told him. He took his wife, but did not have marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25 (NET Version)

It seems that over the centuries, when it comes to the birth narrative of Jesus of Nazareth, Joseph - his earthly father - simply has become a forgotten pawn in a story revolving around “more significant” characters. In other words, for most people, Joseph is just not that important. Just a figure in a nativity set.

We know very few facts concerning Joseph: yes, he was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55); he had other children (Matthew 13:55-56); he was a righteous man (Matthew 1:19-20); a receiver of visions (Matthew 1:20-23); and then, unceremoniously, at some point in time before Jesus becomes a grown man - Joseph dies. Nothing else is mentioned. He is, in a word, forgotten.

We can read between the lines though and see that Joseph was an example of integrity and also a man of strong beliefs. He sought to do what was right. When Mary came to him with the news of her pregnancy, he knew the child could not be his, but he did the right thing anyway.

Upon receiving a message/vision from God, Joseph stood by Mary and Jesus, and raised him as his own. We know that he passed on the carpentry trade to his son and raised Him in the Jewish traditions and spiritual observances as a faithful Jewish father surely would. And yet, he’s forgotten.

Now, before you think this is meant to be a rebuke of the Gospel writers abandoning Joseph’s story may we remind you that this was actually NOT Joseph’s story? And your story - when someone recounts it after you are gone - well, that’s not really your story either.

All of our stories - both those who believe and those who do not believe - are only part and parcel of a greater story…the greatest story. His story.

Every story found within the sacred text we call the Bible (which literally means a collection of books - ie; a collection of stories) revolves around the Christ…the Anointed One…the Promised One. Jesus.

In the midst of countless stories which flood our eyes and invade our minds there is one story which stands supreme. One story which precedes every other story. One story upon which all other stories are written. It is Jesus’ story but, praise God, we are all written into it.

Now, the world will most likely forget us…eventually - minus a few pictures that survive our going on. The next generation may recall a few things about us - they may even share that we were decent people! But, there is an even greater truth that perhaps we are all missing here.

People may forget us…but our Creator remembers us all. “The book of life,” also called “the scroll of life” or “book of remembrance,” contains the names of people who have received the gift of everlasting life, (Revelation 3:5; 20:12: Malachi 3:16). God writes those names down based on a person’s faith and the keeping of his commandments​ - (John 3:16; I John 5:3).

God has kept the face of each of his loyal servants in his heart. And, by writing their names down in a book, since “the founding of the world” (Revelation 17:8),Yahweh shows us that he is a loving God who “knows those who belong to him”​ (2 Timothy 2:19; I John 4:8).

Now, it is true that God said regarding disobedient people in ancient Israel: “Whoever has sinned against me, I shall wipe him out of my book,” (Exodus 32:33). But let us remind you that if we prove faithful, we will remain in “the scroll of life," (Revelation 20:12).

So, what does your story say about you? What does your story say about Him? And most importantly - what does His story say about you? During Christmas, take a moment to reflect on His story and how it has impacted you, your family, your life, and your future. You are not forgotten.

Not unlike Rudolph …”You’ll go down in His story…”

Steve and Missy

Ps - this is going to be the last snail mail newsletter we do for the great majority of you. From now on they will be available digitally for the most part. If we have your email please look for a link to be sent there each week…or on Facebook as we will continue to place the link there. Also, you can simply check out our blog: hearttoheartfromthehousewrights.blogspot.com. It has simply become too expensive to mail them all out each week. Thank you for your support and prayers of this ministry as we continue to share with you what God has laid upon our hearts…