BUMC Mini-Blast December 16, 2025
JesusTime Devotion
by Joey Capuano
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Matthew 1:18-25 Our God near at hand
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "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. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
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Jesus Is Coming!
by Joey Capuano
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I can only imagine how difficult it would have been to accept God's call to bear the Christ Child in her womb and to fulfill what God asked. Mary did it without question. I can only imagine how hard it was for Joseph to hear the angel's explanation and call and to accept it. But he did it. The Holy Family accepted and lived out their calling through FAITH!
I agree with the writers of the Discipleship Ministries:
"In these last few days before Christmas Eve, we, like Joseph, receive a call to faithfulness, to notice the signs before us, listen to the messengers among us, and follow. We must wonder when the significance of the choice to believe and follow the angel’s directions sank in with Joseph. Clearly, he acted immediately, but when did the action gain meaning for him, for Mary, for the world?"
My full name is Joseph, and that is a family name for me. But the real origin of this name is from the Nativity Story. Mary took the ultimate leap and trial of faith in raising Jesus within her womb and through his life. Joseph also acted very strongly through faith. I feel that we as a world always need "a little more faith."
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Let's brainstorm some ways that we can see the signs among us, hear the messengers, and follow them, to do our part to spread the meaning of Mary and Joseph's actions to the world!
- In the face of those facing housing insecurity in our communities, and in their messages on the cardboard boxes they are holding that almost always end in, "God bless you!"
- In the face of children that cheerfully say to you, "Merry Christmas!"
- In the Manger scenes that are so numerous this time of year, showing the Christ child, in the ultimate innocence of a baby surrounded by His parents, the animals, and sometimes the Magi.
- In the faces of adults that smile at us when we encounter them in public.
- In the messages of "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Blessings to you and yours, etc." that we see and hear all around us.
In all of these signs, let's remember to share the beautiful message of Immanuel, Christ with us, the true meaning of Advent and Christmas!
¡Cristo viene! Christ is coming!
Joey
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