December 19; The Fourth Sunday of Advent Readings: Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Psalm 24:1-7.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith A Most Unexpected Situation On this Sunday before Christmas, we hear about Joseph’s dilemma. We hear about Joseph’s dilemma and the way that God touched his life, changed his life, and brought him close by including him in the divine plan. By all accounts, Mary had broken the law. She was found to be with child before marriage, and the child was not Joseph’s. Joseph was a righteous man. The expected move for a righteous man would be to end the engagement. In the unexpected situation, God can do amazing things. As uncomfortable and disorienting as the unexpected can be, it is full of possibilities. As with Joseph, God can do amazing things with you and me. When we are able to break out of the structures that direct our perceptions, we open ourselves to the possibilities of God’s action. Totally unpredictable and beyond our control, God’s will for us and for our world does find a way. God found a way through Mary and Joseph. Even before the dream, Joseph did not want to expose Mary to judgment and public ridicule even though that was the normal course of things in such situations. God found a way to take this righteous man, who knew the law, and filled him with compassion and then with hope. Nothing from Joseph’s experience in the world would have given him hope as he considered the unwanted situation. God finds a way. God chooses the most unexpected people and situations. God knows that we are often going to be resistant to the unexpected. What does the angel say to Joseph? "Do not be afraid." Do not be afraid of what others will think or say or do because of Mary’s situation. God wants you to take a chance on the unexpected. Don’t be afraid that I am talking to you. You! Don’t be afraid to learn that your life is of great importance and part of the divine life. We know this story of Mary and Joseph well—we can move from the dream to the birth without much thought. Christmas is just a few days away; we are ready for it. It would be easy to forget what a scandal it all was. It would be easy to forget the leap of faith and the trust Joseph had in God. Joseph had already decided what he was going to do. Watch out once you have decided what to do! As our Advent calendar says, Joseph came to know well that life is what happens instead of what we plan. Certainly that was the case with Joseph. Clear about his next move, Joseph goes to sleep. God comes to him in a dream in the form of an angel. God comes to him; God acts and enters the drama of our lives. God, who we worship, to whom we attribute power and dominion over all things, comes to ordinary men and women to bring us into the life of the divine. It happened with Joseph and Mary, and it still happens with you and me. We are part of the divine life. Everyone, by virtue of being alive and part of creation is part of the divine. When we face each day conscious of that reality—that life is not just a set of random events and a fight for limited resources—we can start to discern God’s voice and recognize God’s transforming love at work. Such discernment is not always easy or clear. Is that God talking to me or is it just what I want to hear? Did Joseph wonder about that dream? Did he wonder if it was God talking or just his own mind? From the description given in scripture, the discernment was clear. The angel told him to do it and he did it. To take Mary as his wife, considering the situation, was not something that Joseph would have come to on his own. When we are surprised by a pull toward something, by a tug on our hearts, that is probably God. Why does someone who hasn’t gone to church in years, decide one day to go? Why does someone choose a job that offers less money or worldly prestige? Why does someone stand up for an unpopular cause? God calls people to the unexpected all the time. God works in our hearts and minds to bring us into green pastures—places rich with possibilities and rich with nourishment for our souls. Your green pasture and my green pasture might surprise people but when we are in touch with God and our authentic selves, peace is found in the most unexpected situations. God works through dreams, feelings, friends, to bring us close. God, who is our guide, will lead us to still waters. Peace is found close to God even in the middle of a difficult situation. Joseph was in a difficult situation and he did a most unexpected thing. He could not have come to it on is own. How important it was that he listened to God’s call—that he was able to discern that it was God speaking to him in that dream. God still speaks to people, calling us to the unexpected. We are part of the divine life and part of God’s dream for our world. Amen.