Setting the Scene: Joseph
by Kevin Slous

Supporting characters are often unsung heroes. If not for their presence in a story or film, plots and events would have significantly different outcomes. Those in supporting roles can have tremendous influence on how what unfolds takes place. While not the lead, the power of actors in supporting roles can change the trajectory of the story we become immersed in—even more so because of their commitment to be faithful to the character they portray, and the part they play in moving the story forward.

Star Wars just wouldn’t have been the same without Han Solo. Nor The Dark Knight without the Joker. What if Samwise Gamgee hadn’t journeyed to Mordor with Frodo? Would Frodo have been able to bear the weight of the ring and burden he carried? Which makes me wonder, what about Joseph? What about the supporting role he played in the far greater story that we now celebrate and find ourselves in—the Christ-centred story of God’s incarnate visit?

Casting call: Incarnation

Incarnation is an epic drama feature about the God of Ages who becomes man to save the world he created and loves through giving himself in the ultimate sacrifice.

Setting: First-century Judea.

Character in supporting role: Male, Galilean, Judean. Righteous. Of humble origins. Prepared to take a wifeu nder scandalous circumstances. Patient. Willing to risk reputation. Open to sleep interruption. Trusting. Obedient. Available to uproot. Limited screen time.

And Joseph responds. He gets the part. It’s not central. But it is crucial.

I wonder, did he realize the cost it would entail?

He, no doubt, dreamed of the day when God’s redemption would draw near. But when his dreams—now angelic messages—instructed him to take action he never would have imagined on his own, what gave him courage to respond immediately, in an attitude of “not my will, but yours”?

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (Matthew 1:24). When he pledged himself to Mary in her innocence and purity, did his commitment to present her without blemish put a blot on his own reputation as well? Did the grace he gave bring disgrace to himself?

I wonder, when Joseph made his own announcement of “Unto us a child is born!”—knowing that God was indeed “with us”—did he ask himself how he would ever fill the role of being “abba” to “the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace”?

I wonder, how many times did he and Mary retell the stories to “their” firstborn? I wonder, as Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, being about his Father’s business, in what ways was he also following his father’s example?

I wonder, what if we answer our casting call the way Joseph did? What non-central, but nonetheless crucial, supporting role might we play in the unfolding of God’s redemptive story in our world today? How might we be called to step out in obedient faith?

I wonder, will we be ready, realizing that the role we play in God’s story is not nearly as much about us as it is about him?

Kevin Slous is the territorial secretary for spiritual life development.

Pondering These Things: Mary
by Jenna Reid

Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of ancient Rome, was so powerful that he gave one command—for a census to be taken—and the entire Roman world responded. As Joseph and Mary embarked on the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, I wonder if Mary fully grasped the power that Jesus would have.

I wonder how she felt as they travelled. Did they have to take frequent breaks? How were her ankles? Did she worry that Jesus would come early? Even as a precious gift from God, did the controversy over her pregnancy ever keep her up at night?

I wonder how she felt when they arrived in Bethlehem. She was about to deliver God’s one and only Son, a king; was she dismayed, even angry, when no guest rooms were available? I wonder how she felt giving birth to Jesus away from her friends and family. Was there anyone, aside from Joseph, she had hoped would be there? Did she miss her own mother? When she laid Jesus in a manger, did she worry about him being surrounded by hay and animals? How did she feel when the shepherds—strangers—arrived and crowded around? And began spreading the news?

I wonder how she felt as she pondered all these things. This tiny baby, wrapped in cloth—what were her hopes and dreams for him? Did she know the suffering he would endure for the sake of the world?

Although Mary physically delivered the Son of God, he is the Great Deliverer. This Christmas, let’s open our hearts to the humble baby, our King of Kings. Let’s honour his glory and worship his name. As we wonder, let’s trust our Redeemer, as Mary did.

Jenna Reid attends St. John’s Temple, N.L.

A Sky Full of Stars: Shepherds
by Simon Gough

Think about a sky full of stars. There aren’t too many places we can see that anymore—our city lights dull them. But imagine if you had only ever known a sky full of stars, if the moon was the brightest light apart from your small campfire. Imagine the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, wrapped in a blanket of darkness, with glittering stars above.

I wonder how they felt when an angel appeared and “the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). It was probably the brightest thing they had ever seen. From a dark sky with only the light of stars to the glory of God shining around them—I can understand why they were terrified.

I wonder what it sounded like when a great company of the heavenly host appeared and praised God, with the words “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14). Were they praising in song?

I wonder how that music inspired those terrified shepherds to get to their feet and run through Bethlehem, looking for a baby that an angel had just told them was the promised Messiah. How did they go from terrified to inspired so quickly?

I wonder how they felt when the angel’s words came true, when they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Their promised Messiah had come. I wonder what they said and felt in that moment.

Two thousand years later, how can we relate to these shepherds? Do we see the miracles that God has placed in the world around us? Are we recognizing what God has done, just so we know he is there? Are we hearing his message of love come to earth? Are we sharing that message in our words and actions every day? Can we, like Mary, rest in the comfort of a plan so much bigger than our understanding, formed by a God who wants to show his love and care? Can we trust the plans he has for us?

Simon Gough is a specialist—new media, youth and worship arts in the music and gospel arts department at territorial headquarters. 

Seek, Find, Worship: The Wise Men
by Cadet Jessica Hoeft

Stars. Dreams. Kings. Secrets. The story of the Wise Men seeking to find “the child born King of the Jews,” in Matthew 2, is an account full of captivating intrigue. Following the light of a star, these men travel far distances to pay homage to a child unknown to them.

Along the way they ask for directions. Their inquiry sparks emotional dissonance within King Herod. He is king of Judea. How dare they suggest there is another who will take over his reign and kingdom? The Wise Men are given direction, under the deceptive guise of the king’s celebratory interest, that the birthplace is in Bethlehem and return to their journey.

Again, they are led by a star to their destination. They find the child and kneel down in worship, offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As the climax of the story fades into the rearview—they’ve found the child, the King of the Jews—the Wise Men are warned in a dream not to return to devious King Herod and return home by a different path. Although he is not explicitly named within this passage, we understand these dramatic events are about Jesus, often referred to at Christmas as Immanuel, which means "God with us."

Imagining these scenes unfold, I am prompted to ask, “What about this account stirs my soul?” And I begin to wonder if there might be unexpected people or places (like a child or an unassuming town) where I have encountered Immanuel. I begin to open my eyes and my spirit to the world around me and wonder if God is guiding me to himself through his magnificent creation. I reflect on my journey with God and consider where he has done something unexpected and glorious, and whether I responded with joyful enthusiasm, or with a hesitancy to accept what could lead me on an unexpected but meaningful journey. And I am challenged by the question, how far am I willing to go to seek, find and worship my King of Kings—Immanuel—God with us?

Cadet Jessica Hoeft is a member of the Messengers of Reconciliation Session.

Watching and Waiting: Simeon and Anna
by Lt-Colonel Ann Braund

At the appointed time, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem, to offer a sacrifice and present him to the Lord. They marvelled when Simeon and Anna, who had watched and waited for the consolation of Israel, blessed the child and gave thanks to God, knowing they had witnessed God’s redeemer.

I wonder how people like Simeon and Anna remained watchful day after day, year after year. What inspired this behaviour? The writer of Hebrews says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith, certain hope in the promise of God, influenced their active watching. Again, Hebrews speaks of a hope that is “firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Christ (see Luke 2:26). I wonder if he rose to face each day, wondering “Will this be the day?”

I believe God still speaks by his Holy Spirit to individuals. I wonder if there are people today believing, as Simeon did, that their eyes will see the coming of Christ. Scripture tells us that we still live in a time of waiting (see Philippians 3:20). I wonder about the One “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Revelations 1:8). I wonder about his “yet to be” coming.

How can we live with watchful expectancy? Can our living arouse the seemingly unaware and disinterested? How can I keep faith alive moment by moment? How can I live with the holy anticipation of his coming and still carry out the routine tasks of life? How do I engage a faith that stirs in me, and others, a readiness for Christ’s coming?

I wonder how Simeon and Anna lived in the world. Scripture tells us that Anna never left the temple, “but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). What was her livelihood? How did she engage with others? Can I live like Anna? Scripture instructs us to pray without ceasing (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Scripture states Simeon was righteous and devout (see Luke 2:25). Are these clues instructing us on how we can live with a steady, ready, watchfulness? Christ Jesus has come, he comes today, and he is coming.

The final words of Jesus in Revelation declare a promise, “I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:6). This promise of coming is followed by a prayer of response, “Come, Lord Jesus.” I wonder how it would impact my life if this prayer was the unceasing undercurrent of my breathing, thinking, doing.

Lt-Colonel Ann Braund is the divisional director of women’s ministries and divisional spiritual life development secretary in the British Columbia Division.

Illustration: Brightside Creative/Lightstock.com