Pastor Taylor Shippy - Matt 1:18-25; 2:13-15, 19-23
I find it fascinating that, unlike Luke, who begins his gospel about the Person of Jesus around Mary, Matthew kickstarts his Jesus story with a footnote. A footnote about a supporting character. A glorified extra. A background figure. A kind of minor character that gets mentioned when the credits roll, but no one seriously considers him central or significant to the story of Jesus let alone Christmas. But maybe there’s something to being a footnote in Jesus’ story? That our actions - more than our words - leave an impact and are remembered because they are a part of a larger story taking place in the world… Maybe we aren’t supposed to discount our calling and purpose in God’s story even if our calling isn’t more than a footnote in the grand scheme of things?
