The birth of Jesus

THIS is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the 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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and He named him Jesus. REFLECTION JOSEPH HER HUSBAND. Joseph’s story in the Gospel somehow parallels Mary’s in the Annunciation. Two ordinary people who would never think the things like they experience would happen to them. Given how many people there are in the world! And so their confusion and questioning are understandable. And they respond accordingly, as their “wisdom” and experience allow them.

At this point, God intervenes and guides them and shows them the way. Endowed with simplicity of heart and docility to God, they become willing and effective instruments in the realization of God’s plan.

In life, we struggle at times with the right thing to do when surprised by something. And we do what we can. But we can also turn to God and ask for divine guidance.

Do we “consult” God often for our decisions, or do we simply make them on our own?