Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
This is how Jesus Christ was born: Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy. He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to disgrace her.
While he was pondering over this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son. You shall call him ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Emmanuel, which means: God with us. When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home. He did not have any marital relations with her. When she gave birth to a son, Joseph gave him the name Jesus.
Reflections
“he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.”
Stories of conversion, life of hope and victory over evil are themes which interest most of us. We would excitingly read articles of prominent people who returned to the faith and lived a life patterned from God. We rejoice with this victory and join in their crusade, at least by spirit. Celebrating Advent is not simply waiting. It is also ho ping for God’s light, peace and joy. The first reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah reminds us of the good times God has in store for his people, where Israel "shall dwell in security”. Our Gospel also reminds us of a perturbed St. Joseph, who could not fully understand the eventuality, was given a hope by God through the angel.
While some of us may be experiencing darkness in our personal life, family circles and sometimes in the society we live in, God allows us to hope, that in him, all things will be well.
“Advent” may also mean “we could always hope”.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019
