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 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 conceive 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 commanded him, and took his wife into his home.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, as the time of your birth approaches, I renew my faith in you. I know you are the Son of God made Man, true God and true man, and that you come among us driven purely by love, to save me from my sins. You are my God and the master of my life, yet you became man to be my Brother and Savior. I place my life in your hands with trust and hope. I love you for who you are and what you have done for me.

Petition: Help me to enter into your heart and learn to see and love everything as you do. Grant me the strength and light of faith to believe and trust as Mary and Joseph did, so that your plan can become a reality in my life.
 
1. Joseph wants to do God's will. Joseph was a just man, who walked in the ways of God, "a man after God's heart", a worthy son of the Chosen People. God's revelation and fidelity to his Chosen People brought forth beautiful fruit in him. We meet several other such people, faithful children of the Covenant, in Jesus' life (Simeon and Anna the prophetess at his presentation in the Temple, for example) but Joseph was the object of a special election, given an extraordinary vocation by God. Joseph was to care for Mary the Mother of God and the Son of God himself during the early part of his life on earth. However, this call showed itself in confusing circumstances where he was not sure what it was that God wanted.

Joseph gives us two lessons. First, he does not demand a sign or a message from God. Joseph simply used his faith and used his mind as best he could. He trusted Mary, God had intervened, he feels he has to step away, yet if he does so publicly no-one will understand and she will suffer. With respect for God and Mary he decides to do so quietly.

Joseph's second lesson is that if we do what we can, with a heart that is open to God, moved by love and respect for him and others, he will let us know what he wants us to do. Joseph was sent an angel, but God has other ways of speaking to us. He has other messengers. We tend to fret and worry when what we should really be doing is getting down to doing the best we can.

2. Do not be afraid. Peace comes to Joseph, God sends him a messenger to show him what he ought to do. Notice the angel does not order him what to do, but simply tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. It was probably one of the courses of action Joseph had considered, but his respect and fear of God turned him away from it. The angel said "do not be afraid" but the reason he gave was not "do not be afraid, there won't be difficulties", it was simply "do not be afraid, God is in charge here. This is the work of God's Holy Spirit."  And the angel's explanation might even have made Joseph feel more afraid, more unworthy, more unprepared. Who was he to take the Son of God into his house?

God's ways are not always our ways. His plan for us is often what we least expect. The new situation was not Joseph's or even Mary's original plan, but God wanted to send his son into the world, and he wanted Joseph's help. He had a role for Joseph to play in educating God's own son. This was a plan of love; Joseph had to overcome his reserve and respect, and, perhaps too, his feelings of inadequacy.

3. [He] took his wife into his home. Joseph did as the angel commanded him, he left his fear aside. Once he did that, it was clear to him what he should do. He believed. Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1814).

Not only did Joseph believe in his mind, he acted on his faith. We know he believed and trusted because he acted. He took his actions in the obedience of faith. When we really trust God, we are able to act on his word, and our faith comes to maturity. When these two virtues are in harmony with our love, so that the actions springing from our faith and trust are motivated by our love for him, then our life is truly beautiful for God and they reflect his will more perfectly.

Taking Mary and Jesus into his home sets Joseph's life on a totally new path. It will not always be peaceful and it will not be without further difficulties, persecutions and surprises. Joseph steadily, unassumingly but dependably takes upon himself what God has given him to do. He is the provider and the protector of Mary and Jesus. In him the boy Jesus as he grows up will find the model of what it is to be a man.  
 
Conversation: Lord Jesus, I know that at times your plans may seem fearful or beyond me. I need the strength of faith, love and trust to overcome my fears and to fulfill your most holy will. I want very much to carry it out. Grant me the grace to pursue your will in my life, even though at times it is not fully clear to me. Increase my faith to fulfill your will, as you want it, in the way you want, as long as you want.

Questionnaire:

1. How well have I learned Joseph's two lessons?

2. Where do I see I need more faith in fulfilling God's desires in my life? (e.g. studies, work, family, etc.)? What are the practical consequences of my faith?

3. Am I at a stage at which I want to tell God he can depend on me to carry out his plan for my life?