Emmanuel, God is With Us : Matthew 1:18-25

Father Darren’s teaches how God is always with us in his pre Christmas sermon.

We are almost at Christmas. The candles on the Advent wreath are nearly all lit, the carols are beginning to swell, and the story we know so well is about to be told again. But before shepherds and angels, before mangers and wise men, Matthew takes us into a quieter, more intimate moment: the story of Joseph.

Matthew 1:18–25 is not the nativity as we usually picture it. There are no animals, no inn, no stable. Instead, we are invited into Joseph’s heart—his confusion, his fear, his faith, and ultimately his obedience. 

And in Joseph’s story, we discover something profound about God’s way of working in the world, and about what it means for us to prepare for Christ’s coming.

Mary is With Child

Matthew tells us that Mary was “found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” Imagine Joseph’s shock. He is betrothed to Mary, pledged to her in a covenant that was as binding as marriage itself. And suddenly, she is pregnant. Joseph knows he is not the father.

Joseph is described as “a righteous man.” That means he is faithful to God’s law, careful to live rightly. But righteousness here is not just about rules—it is about compassion.

Joseph could have exposed Mary publicly, which would have led to shame and possibly even danger for her. Instead, he resolves to “dismiss her quietly.” He chooses mercy over judgment.

Already we see something of God’s character reflected in Joseph. The righteousness that pleases God is not harsh or rigid, but merciful, gentle, and protective. Joseph models the kind of righteousness Jesus himself will later teach: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

An Angel Visits Joseph

But Joseph’s plan is interrupted. In a dream, an angel speaks: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Notice the angel’s first words: “Do not be afraid.” Fear is the natural response to uncertainty, to scandal, to the unknown. Joseph is afraid—afraid of what people will say, afraid of what the future will hold, afraid of stepping into something that makes no sense. And into that fear, God speaks reassurance.

The angel reveals that this child is no ordinary child. He is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph is called to name him Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph is not just asked to accept Mary; he is asked to step into God’s saving plan, to become guardian and earthly father to the Messiah.

Matthew pauses to connect this moment to prophecy: “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’”

The Heart of the Gospel

This is the heart of the gospel: God is with us. Not distant, not aloof, not watching from afar—but with us. With us in confusion, with us in fear, with us in scandal, with us in ordinary human life. 

Emmanuel is not a theological concept; it is a lived reality. In Jesus, God enters the mess and mystery of human existence.

For Joseph, this means that his story—his disrupted plans, his difficult choices—becomes the place where God is revealed. For us, it means that our own lives, however ordinary or complicated, can also be places where Emmanuel is present.

Joseph Springs Into Action

Joseph wakes from the dream and does what the angel commands. He takes Mary as his wife. He names the child Jesus. He steps into a future he cannot fully understand, trusting that God is at work.

Joseph’s obedience is quiet but profound. He does not speak a word in Matthew’s gospel. He simply acts. He listens, he trusts, he obeys. And through his obedience, the story of salvation unfolds.

Sometimes faith looks like a bold proclamation. Sometimes it looks like quiet, steady obedience—doing the right thing, even when it is hard, even when others do not understand. Joseph shows us that discipleship is not always dramatic. Often it is simply the willingness to trust God’s word and to act accordingly.

What This Means For Us Today

So what does this mean for us, here and now, on the fourth Sunday of Advent?

• First, it means we are called to mercy. Like Joseph, we are invited to embody righteousness that is compassionate. In a world quick to judge, quick to shame, quick to condemn, we are called to protect, to care, to choose kindness. Advent is a time to examine our hearts: where might God be calling us to mercy?

• Second, it means we are called to trust. Joseph could not see the whole picture. He had only a dream, a word from God, and the courage to act. We too often face uncertainty. We do not know what the future holds.

But Advent reminds us that God is faithful, that Emmanuel is with us, and that we can step forward in trust.

• Third, it means we are called to obedience. Faith is not just believing; it is living. Joseph obeyed, and through his obedience, Jesus was welcomed into the world. Our obedience—our choices, our actions—can also make space for Christ to be born anew in our communities, our families, our lives.

Reflection

As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember that Emmanuel is not just a name from long ago. It is a promise for today. God is with us—in our joys and sorrows, in our families and friendships, in our work and rest, in our worship and witness.

When we feel afraid, Emmanuel is with us.

When we face uncertainty, Emmanuel is with us.

When we choose mercy, Emmanuel is with us.

When we act in obedience, Emmanuel is with us.

This is the good news of Advent: we do not wait alone. We wait with Emmanuel, God with us, already present, already at work, already bringing salvation.

Joseph’s story is often overshadowed by Mary’s or by the shepherds and angels. But today, Matthew invites us to see Joseph’s quiet faithfulness as part of the gospel. His mercy, his trust, his obedience—all point us to Emmanuel.

So, we have lit the fourth candle of Advent, now let us take Joseph as our companion.

Let us choose mercy over judgment, trust over fear, obedience over hesitation. And let us rejoice that in Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us—now and always.