Divine Announcement

Sermon December 21, 2025, Matthew 1:18-25

Divine Announcement

Reverend Fred Okello

We all have plans in place. Plans are like a map for life; they show us where we want to go and how we plan to get there. Plans are a good thing. The Bible even says that people die when they don't have a vision. God cares about vision. God values guidance.

But Advent reminds us of something deeper: God often interrupts our plans to bring His plans to fruition.

Advent isn't just a time for candles, carols, and stories you know. It's a time of waiting, when things aren't clear, when answers are slow to come, and when God's work doesn't look like we thought it would. Advent teaches us that God often comes in a quiet, unexpected, and sometimes disruptive way.

Joseph had a plan. Mary was his fiancée. He had hopes for his life, marriage, and family. Nothing fancy—just a normal, faithful life that honors God.

Mary was pregnant before they got together. The Bible doesn't rush over that moment, and neither should we. That one sentence shows confusion, sadness, and fear. Joseph's Advent didn't start with happiness; it started with doubt.

Some of us know what that's like. We begin seasons of hope with many heavy questions. We light Advent candles and quietly ask God, "What are You doing?"

The bible describes Joseph as a righteous man, not because he knew everything, but because he chose to be kind even when he was in pain. He intended to dismiss Mary discreetly. He wasn't righteous because he went to church; he was righteous because he showed mercy in private.

God speaks to Joseph in a dream and tells him not to be afraid. God always starts with our fear. The angel says that this child is from the Holy Spirit. Joseph is not seeing his future fall apart, but God's plan for salvation coming together. The child will be called Jesus because He will save God’s people from their sins.

God does not take away the challenge. He tells what it means. Joseph still has to deal with misunderstandings, whispers, and plans that have changed. But now he walks with a goal- a divine goal. A more perfect goal!

I had plans many years back. These plans were based on my faith, education, and calling. I was made a priest. I had worked so hard. I thought I could see the way forward.

But instead of going straight into ministry, I found myself in general labor, working in freezing temperatures, which tested my body, my dignity, and my faith. While this was happening, I was also studying, waiting for church processes, traveling long distances, undergoing background checks, and dealing with extended periods of silence.

Many times, I thought I had misunderstood God; times when I wondered if the break meant I had failed. But Advent reminds us that waiting doesn't mean giving up.

We learn from Joseph that God doesn't always explain everything immediately, but He is always present. Immanuel. God is with us in the cold parts of life. God is with us even when things are unclear. God is with us when it seems like our calling is taking too long.

Matthew says that this divine incarnation happened to fulfill prophecy: "They will call him Immanuel," which means "God with us."

Advent reminds us that God doesn't wait for things to be perfect. He comes into our mess. He enters systems that don't work, undertakes challenging journeys, and plans that get disrupted.

Joseph's obedience made it possible for God to be in the world. Our obedience, especially when it's quiet and costly, still achieves the same result. We make God present in the world when we follow God’s instructions and serve the underprivileged.

Joseph wakes up and does what he's told. No public defense. No need for explanations. He marries Mary. He names the baby Jesus.

Joseph shows us how to have faith during Advent: Faith that obeys before clarity, Faith that trusts before understanding, and Faith that believes God is at work even when life looks confusing.

Church, Advent invites us to stop fighting God's interruptions and start seeing them as divine invitations. Some of us are still sad about plans that didn't work out. Some people are waiting for answers. Some are walking paths they never thought they would.

The good news of Advent is that God is with us!

God of Advent, help us learn how to wait with faith. When our plans go wrong and our answers take too long, help us to trust You. In times of doubt, remind us that You are Immanuel, God with us. As we make room for Christ, give us hearts that desire to obey and spirits that are filled with hope. Amen.