The Fourth Sunday of AdventDecember 19, 2022

From the Gospel of the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

[T]he angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
…
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
--From Matthew Chapter 1.

The world needs more dreamers. More specifically, the world needs more dreamers who have the faith of Joseph. His was a faith willing to take risks. How did he know his dream was truly of God and not just his own imagination? Because the messenger from God told him—and tells us—“Do not be afraid.”

God has a vision and each of us is part of it. Joseph’s Yes to God, along with Mary’s Yes, allowed that vision for all of us to take shape; it was born as Christ the Lord. The vision of God includes Christ being born in each of our lives. How can we make that happen? In what little ways can each of us give witness to the love of God made flesh in Christ Jesus?

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Sister Elaine Berkopec