Matthew 1:18-25, NIRV

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother, Mary, and Joseph had promised to get married. But before they started to live together, it became clear that she was going to have a baby. She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph was faithful to the law. But he did not want to put her to shame in public. So he planned to divorce her quietly.

20 But as Joseph was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She is going to have a son. You must give him the name Jesus. That’s because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to bring about what the Lord had said would happen. He had said through the prophet, 23 “The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) The name Immanuel means “God with us.”

24 Joseph woke up. He did what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do. He took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not sleep with her until she gave birth to a son. And Joseph gave him the name Jesus.

Board game:

Jenga

Message:

We are getting really close. Do you know what we are getting really close to? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right; we are getting close to Christmas morning. There is less than one week left.

Did anyone have a chance to play Box of Lies this past week? More importantly, did you remember to put your full trust in God? Can you give me an example of how you trusted God this week? (Allow one or two children to provide examples of how they put trust in God.)

Those are all excellent ways to remind us to trust God completely in all things.

I have another question: “Do any of you like to build things?” (Pause for children to respond.) Today’s scripture passage is about a man named Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter who enjoyed building items such as wagons, chairs, and tables using tools like a hammer and a saw. (You could have an actual hammer and saw to reinforce the imagery.) It is a wonderful feeling when you build something, isn’t it?

Today’s game is a fun game that allows us to build something. Have you ever played the game Jenga? (Allow children to provide examples of playing the game.)

Jenga is a game that allows players to build a tower. The players who build the tallest tower without it falling over win the game. To play the game, you build the tower. It usually comes “built” when you take it out of the box. Once the tower is built, the person who stacked the tower plays first. The first player takes one block from any level of the tower and places it on the topmost level to complete that level.

You start with a tower made of blocks. Then on each turn, you pull out one block. Sometimes the tower wobbles, and you worry that the tower might fall. But when you put a block carefully on top, the tower stands strong.
Players may use only one hand at a time; either hand may be used, but only one hand may touch the tower at any time.

Players may tap a block to find a loose one. Any blocks that have been moved but not played should be replaced, unless doing so would cause the tower to fall. The turn ends when the next player touches the tower or after ten seconds, whichever occurs first.

The game ends when the tower falls – completely— or if any block falls from the tower.

The loser is the person who made the tower fall (that is, the person whose turn it was when the tower fell).

In our Bible story today, Joseph felt like his life was wobbling. He had just learned that Mary was going to have a baby—Jesus—and he didn’t know what to do. It was a little like the Jenga tower shaking!

But then, God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, “Do not be afraid. This baby is from God, and he will be called Jesus.” Joseph chose to listen to God, and he decided to trust. That made Joseph strong and steady, like a Jenga tower standing tall.

I want to play this game with a twist. Before we start removing pieces, we must first build the tower. As we do, I want to add a piece-by-piece story from our Bible passage.

Today’s Bible passage is from the Gospel of Matthew.
(You can either build the Jenga tower yourself, or, if you have enough children, give them each a block to help build the tower.)

Each time I tell a piece of this Bible story, add a block.
Joseph daydreamed about his bride-to-be, Mary. Add a block.
He said to himself, “I have a plan. Someday I plan to marry her.” Add a block.
Then later, we will start a family and have children. Add a block.
Then, because I am a carpenter, I will build a house for us. Add a block.
Much later, my home will be filled with laughter and maybe even board games. Add a block.
Mary will bake my favorite bread. Add a block.
I will hug her and the children every morning when I wake up. Add a block.
I will tell bedtime stories every night to the kids. Add a block.
Joseph would then put down his tools and give a happy sigh. Add a block.
Oh, Joseph had plans for sure! Add a block.

But one day, Mary came to see Joseph and told him she was having a baby, God’s child. With that news, Joseph’s plans came tumbling down around him. (As you place the next Jenga piece on the tower, force it to fall, leaving the pieces lying scattered.)

Joseph couldn’t believe this. His plans changed. “No, this can’t be happening,” he said. “This isn’t part of the plan. God, what are you doing? Why is this happening? I thought you had plans for me, for my future!” Joseph was confused. Lying alone in bed, he tossed and turned all night, wondering what he should do next. “Why God? I am scared. I am sad. I am confused.” Finally, Joseph fell asleep.

In the middle of the night. Joseph felt the touch of an angel on his shoulder. The angel told him not to be afraid and that Mary’s child was the Son of God. The child was no ordinary child. The angel told him to name his son Jesus because the child would save God’s people.

Joseph then recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah. It was written in the Old Testament that the child should be called Immanuel, meaning "God with us."

The next morning, Joseph went to tell Mary about his dream. He told her about the plans he had, but he realized that God had a better plan.

Mary did give birth to God’s son. They named him Jesus. Perhaps you have heard that part of the story.

Sometimes we think our plans are the best. But God’s plans are even better. (While you are talking, take the scattered Jenga pieces and place them in the shape of a cross.) The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 (another prophet in the Old Testament): “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come” (NIRV).

Advent is our time of waiting and trusting God, just as Joseph did. Sometimes life feels shaky, but God gives us Jesus, who makes our lives steady and strong with love.

This week, I invite you to play a game of Jenga with your family. When the pieces are scattered all around, take one piece in your hand before rebuilding and say the prayer below.

Let’s do it now. Each of you take a Jenga piece while I pray. (Hand out Jenga pieces to each child.)

Prayer:

God of love, trust, and joy, you know the plans you have for us, and those plans are good. Thank you for your wonderful plan of sending Jesus. Remind us each of the reason for this season. That reason is the greatest Christmas gift ever! Jesus, Immanuel, you are with us. Amen.