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During a night of doubt like that is when the demons of insecurity attack, or messengers of God will speak to us. We who believe in God’s angels can often hear what the Lord says. So it was with Joseph. An angel spoke to him in the darkness of the night. Though taught the Law of Moses… which condemned apparent infidelity... Joseph decided to set aside that right under the Law. He heeded the angel’s witness and took a leap of faith. He locked in a marital cotter pin… and kept things in motion. He married Mary. When Jesus was born, Joseph raised the child that he knew was not of his physical bloodline… but faithfully would inherit all of its graceful gifts… and be a Son of David. We might say a key of faith locked their lives together. Joseph’s cup ran over even to the measure of infinity. Thanks to his positive answer to the angelic messenger, Joseph… an obscure and uncertain man… opted for grace and was rewarded greatly for his faith. As the annual Christmas holiday rotation circles around, he will be remembered as a key person by those who gather at the altar. The result of his faithful steps… of his accepting that bitter cup of salvation given… Jesus Christ, the Son of God was born upon earth and protected by the love of a carpenter. You see, Joseph was indeed a mechanic of sorts who is said to have made wheels for plows. When Joseph answered that angelic call the Infinite personhood of God became finite and lived among us. Consider this miracle thoughtfully as you plan to partake of that bread and tiny cup of wine. When you present yourself for that bread and sip of blessed wine during Holy Communion this Christmas Eve, please know… “It is not just bread |
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and wine.” We’ll find like Joseph… there is much, much more. This meal of bread and wine, as the real body and blood of the Christ child, saves us from the dark night of soul. Through it we receive forgiveness. He was raised by Joseph and given a carpenter’s trade so that he could earn a living. And when he became a man, he became for us the Key of keys. He was pinned to the axle of this wobbling world so that we might be saved. Consequently, if you should also toss and turn in the darkness.. and think about such mysterious things… |
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Cotter Key King? |
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consider that marvelous gift given to Joseph. God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ was like a cotter key. He was put in an earthly hole, then bent, cut, and locked on a wooden cross. By doing so he paid the penalty for our sins. He died and after three day... by the power of God... he rose again. What a marvelous Key, that saved nuts like me! “May the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord” Amen”
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