Hello,

For centuries Christians have taken four weeks to prepare themselves for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, these four weeks are called Advent. At our church we light a candle each week on an Advent Wreath to experience the increasing brightening of our world that culminates in Jesus’ birth. As the Gospel of John says, “the light (Jesus) shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

As part of that candle lighting, some sort of devotional meditation is read. This year, I am going to share those readings that I have written with you in my Bungee Cord, and I invite you to create an Advent wreath in your home and light a candle each week as you and a friend or family join in the devotion. You needn’t go and buy something fancy, placing four candles on a table, either in a straight line or in a square works fine. That is what we do in our home.

Before dinner, my wife and I sequentially light a candle each week and spiritually prepare ourselves for Christmas. As the waning sun darkens our world, a world that is already dark enough, I invite you to discover the power of Jesus’ promised presence gaining light in your life. This week's focus is Joseph, the human father of the Son of God.

Not much is known about Joseph. He disappears from the story of Jesus after Jesus' birth except for the family trip to Jerusalem where Jesus is found in the temple. He was from Nazareth, a small town off the beaten path whose population was limited because it only had one well. Joseph is in the lineage of King David (1000 B.C.) who was promised that his family would reign over God's people forever. Joseph was known to be a carpenter, but more accurately a stone mason who built houses, according to Dr. Mark Hoffman from United Seminary. Tradition holds that the reason that Joseph disappears from the narative is that he was significantly older than Mary, which was not unusual in Jesus' day. Joseph, the human father of the Son of God:

Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

God: Hey , Joseph.

Joseph Yes. Is that you, Lord?

God: It’s me, alright, and I have a job for you.

Joseph: Why are you talking to me, Lord. I am surprised that you know my name. I’m just a simple man from Nazareth.

God: Well, I do know your name, you’re one of my chosen people, and I have chosen you to be the man to raise my Son.

Joseph: What? Say that again.

God: I’ve chosen you to be the man to raise my Son. He needs an earthly father, and since you’re engaged to Mary, whose womb is carrying my Son, you get the job of being his earthly father.

Joseph: Sounds like something too big for me to do.

God: Mabe too big for you, but not too big for me.

Joseph: Ok, Lord, but hold onto me tightly.

God: I’ve got you. Let’s get to work!

Light the second candle, Joseph’s candle.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. (continue singing as the Advent wreath is lit)

Have a great week.

God's grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger