The moments within the stories
Lily Cathcart
December 04, 2024
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Matthew 1: 24-25 (NRSVA)
24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Do you think it was hard for Joseph to return to Mary? Did he need to walk around the block a few times before he plucked up the courage to go in and say he was sorry, he was wrong, and God had put him right. Was it hard work to repair the relationship between them after the initial sense of betrayal? After the mistrust on both sides, did it take the whole long walk to Bethlehem for them to reconnect?
The Bible gives us a great summary of events but it can be hard sometimes to remember that there were so many other aspects at play within this very familiar narrative.
It’s like purple dye. Someone tells you it was hard to make so it was reserved for royalty. You don’t think much further: you’ve got a life to live, you can’t be worrying about dye. But if you find a moment to ask more questions you would learn that when the colour was first being made into a dye it took workers hours to harvest and prepare thousands of sea snails and that would only make one ounce of purple.
Why not try and find a moment this week to look at something more deeply. To find a narrative you don’t think about, perhaps even the Christmas one, and ask yourself what is happening under the layers. Underneath the twinkly eyed, well known view.
Just like with the making of purple dye, I think things did get easier for Mary and Joseph after a while. Humans are good at finding creative new ways to do things.
Prayer:
Dear God of hard work
Thank you that you made us creative and hardworking
Help us to always see the hard truths in the world around us
Show us the places we can help families who need it
Help us to find creative ways to be your love in the world
Amen
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