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Celebrate the Birth of the Savior!

6:30 Music of the Season featuring the Lakewood Church choir

7:00 Service of Candlelight and Communion

The special offering received on Christmas Eve will be for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.  This is a partner ministry of the United Church of Christ.  For more information, see https://www.pcrf.net/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2025dec9

 

In the story of the nativity from Matthew, it is Joseph who is visited by an angel in his dreams.  Maybe it was Gabriel?  We aren’t told.  But we are told of a dream and an angel.  And in the dream, Jospeh is told to go through with his marriage to Mary despite the unusual circumstances.  The child will be special.  

So, Joseph is given a choice.  Does he listen to this angel visitation in his dreams?  Or was it indigestion?   We are told, “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the God commanded him. . .”  Joseph and Mary were married and Jesus was born.

This story reminds us that men, too, have a say so in child bearing and reproductive rights.  Men have a role to play and they are to take responsibility for the life of a child.  This is not for mothers alone.  

There are many paintings and renderings of Mary and Jesus.  But very few classic images that feature Joseph and Jesus alone.  And yet, the gospel of Matthew tells us of Joseph, listening to the angel and choosing to be the human father of Jesus.

Later in the gospel of Matthew, Joseph is told in another dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to keep them safe while King Herod pursues the slaughter of the innocents.  Again, Joseph listens to the angel in his dreams and take the family to Egypt.  

In yet another dream, Jospeh is told when Herod has died, and the holy family returns to Palestine and makes their home in Nazareth.  

As a father, Joseph is tuned in, listening, and receptive to the directives of God so that he can be a fully functioning, responsible parent and not just abdicate all family matters to Mary.  

Prayer:  It takes so much to raise a child in these challenging times.  May we create a world that nurtures children and encourages parents and caring adults to help children thrive.  Amen.

This devotion was prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.

There are many cases in the Bible in which God confronts someone and presents them with a task to do, a role to fulfill.  Select a king.  Free the Israelites from Egypt.  Buy a worthless piece of land.  And on and on and on.  There are many, many examples of God dictating to people what they will do, often despite their objections.

I think it is interesting that in the case of Mary and the role of birthing the Messiah, Mary seems to be given the opportunity to consent.  God does not demand that she carry out this task.  The angel Gabriel is sent to consult her about this.  In the story, she agrees to comply.  The implication is that she could also have refused.  

Essentially, Mary is given sovereignty over her reproductive rights.  She gets to say yes or no to having a child.  She gets to make the decision that is right for her by her lights.  She is given agency over her body.  

And women are still fighting for these same rights today.  

Prayer:  Help us to respect the rights of all people to make the choices that are right for them and their circumstances.  May we especially respect the reproductive rights of women and respect the healthcare rights of women.  Amen.

This devotion was prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.