Powerpoint Pictures: Traditional picture of the Nativity [with Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Magi]

Who do you see in this picture of the Nativity? [Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Magi/Kings/Wise Men]

Now of the characters of the Christmas story, which one of them doesn’t speak in the Bible’s account of the birth of Jesus?

The baby Jesus doesn’t of course.  He is after all a baby.  And if the carol ‘Away in a manger’ was to be believed, he didn’t cry either!

But what about the other characters?

The Magi?  Yes, they speak.  In Matthew’s Gospel, we’re told they say to Herod, “Where is the one born King of the Jews?”

The Shepherd?  They speak to.  In Luke’s Gospel, we learn that after the angel announced that in Bethlehem a Saviour had been born who is Christ the Lord, they said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord told us about!”

What about Mary?  We know she express wonder on learning that she was pregnant with God’s Son, and burst into a song of praise to God for what He had done for her and the people of Israel.

We’re left with Joseph.  Does he say anything in any of the Gospels?

No.

He is the silent character of Christmas.

And yet he does speak.  Not with words, but by his actions.

After an angel appear to him in a dream, reassuring him about Mary and her pregnancy, and telling him about who the baby she would give birth to was, he was given a command.

Name the baby “Jesus” because He will save His people from their sins.

What did He do?

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25)

Joseph obeys.  He believed what the angel had told him was true and he shows this by doing what he was told to do.

His actions remind us of what the right response to the news that Jesus the Saviour of sinners has been born.  It is to believe this message and show that we do by obeying Him.