Georges Gracieuse
On Sunday December 1, 2024, Christians started the period of Advent, preparing to celebrate the 1st coming of Jesus on Christmas Day and to welcome His 2nd coming at the end of times. In this context, it is worth spending time contemplating what the announcement of the birth of Jesus meant to Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as narrated in the gospel of Matthew:
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 with child from the Holy Spirit. 
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss 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 conceive and bear 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.
(Matthew 1: 18-25 The New Revised Standard Version)
When the Angel appeared, Joseph was a broken man, in turmoil. His world had crumbled. He was afraid, confused, full of sorrow, discouraged and desperate. Mary to whom he was engaged, which was considered legally married in Jewish custom, and with whom he was going to live as husband and wife in a year’s time, had just informed him that she was three months pregnant.
Imagine how shocked Joseph was. How could Mary whom he loved dearly, and whom he considered to be an epitom of virtue, betray him with someone else? He had envisioned a life of bliss with her. How could she have done this to him?
According to the Law of Moses, he had to report the case to the Jewish authority. But if he did so, Mary would be shamed publicly and stoned to death. On one hand his mind urged him to do his duty and to report Mary for adultery, but on the other hand his heart could not bear “to expose her to public disgrace”. So “he planned to dismiss her quietly”.
Saint Mother Teresa once wrote: “Love till it hurts, then there’ll be no more hurt but only love”. Joseph has loved Mary till it hurts, now there’s no more hurt but only love. This explains his decision to dismiss her quietly.
The Angel opens his eyes, mind and heart to a deeper and wider reality, to something that in his wildest dream, he could not have imagined: it was about the coming of the Messiah that the Prophets spoke about and whom the people of Israel have been waiting for. That was happening. Mary is the ‘Virgin’ the Prophet Isaiah spoke about, and she is carrying the Son of God, the Emmanuel! And Joseph has been chosen to collaborate to God’s plan by taking care of the Mother and the Child. Was this not wonderful? The time had come for God to fulfill his promise to send the Messiah! Mary and Joseph are called to be part of that plan! Joseph is filled with awe and wonder! He is excited! His heart overflows with love, joy and peace! What a dream!
When he awoke, Joseph is transformed. He is no longer afraid; “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”.
God communicates in different ways: directly, through people, events, or through dreams as in the case of Joseph. Advent is a time to slow down, be quiet, listen, and discern how God is communicating to each one of us.
Happy and Prayerful Advent !