IV- Advent- Is 7: 10- 14; Rom 1: 1-7; Mt 1: 18-24  

The story of the Virgin Birth is at the heart of our Christmas celebrations.   In the first reading, God gives a sign through the prophet Isaiah to  King Ahaz of Judah: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7: 14).  Matthew considers this one of the most descriptive and definite prophecies foretelling the future messianic king, Christ, to be born as a descendant of David. Today’s Gospel, from Matthew, focuses on the person and role of Joseph.

The Angel of God comes to Joseph three times in dreams. In each instance, the angel calls Joseph to action and Joseph obeys.  He doesn't have a speaking part.  In this first instance, the angel commands Joseph to take Mary as his wife.   In Mt 2:13, the angel tells Joseph to take the mother and child to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath.  At Herod’s death angel tells Joseph to return to Israel.  The angel begins by saying, "Joseph, son of David," alerting us to Joseph's lineage.  It is through Joseph that Jesus will be of the house and lineage of David.  Mary's role is to bear a son, and Joseph's role is to name him.  By naming him, Joseph makes Jesus his son and brings him into the house of David. Joseph’s hallmark is obedience -- prompt, simple, and unspectacular obedience.

Jewish marriage started with an engagement arranged by parents, often between children.  Prior to marriage, couples began a year-long betrothal very much like marriage except for sexual rights.  Betrothal was binding and could be terminated only by death or divorce.  A person whose betrothed had died was considered to be a widow or widower. Joseph found that Mary was pregnant without his knowledge.  Now, the law required that Mary be stoned to death, because she would have been considered an unfaithful wife, and the baby would have been stoned to death with her.  In Deuteronomy 22:23-24, the penalty for adultery was death by stoning at the door of her father’s house as she had disgraced her father. From his perspective Joseph is in a dilemma. He cares for Mary, his betrothed, but she is with child. This is very difficult for him and he is facing a serious embarrassment both for himself and for Mary.

Sooner or later, every one of us comes up against the rough side of life like Joseph, and we have to face big problems. Dr. J. A. Hadfield, noted British psychologist, commented on this when he said, "When people run up against life and find it too much for them, one swears, one gets a headache, one gets drunk, and one prays"

When life gets hard, what do we do? Do we give up and lose faith in God like king Ahaz ? Do we swear? Do we lash out in hostility? Do we try to find someone to blame? Do we give in to bitterness? Do we run away? Do we hide behind some illness? Do we drug ourselves ? Or, do we pray? Do we consider the problem prayerfully and then listen to God? That’s what Joseph did, and it worked.

What a great lesson to learn from Joseph: the art of listening! May be this is why Jesus went often into the wilderness alone to do some praying and listening. Perhaps he learned from father Joseph how to listen for God’s will. Joseph was big enough to listen. Even when it was hard to do, Joseph listened and heard God’s command. Then he had the courage to act, to obey, to do God’s will…

If Joseph had not cooperated with God’s action in human history, the birth of Jesus would have been quite different. The witness of Joseph calls us to cooperate with God’s work in today’s world. It calls us to respond to God’s action among us.

Joseph, not having all of the evidence and knowledge of the future, decided to do more than law and custom required. He elected to do more than was expected of him. He let justice and compassion guide his decision about his pregnant betrothed. He was pulled, not by the strength of custom, but by the law of love.

Instead of trying to expose the weakness of Mary, Joseph was able to tolerate the weakness of Mary in silence. Do we have the courage and goodwill to tolerate the weakness of others as Joseph did ?

Like Joseph, instead of relying on our own schemes to get us through life, let us trust in God and be strengthened by talking to Him in fervent prayer and by listening to Him speaking through the Bible. Let us remain faithful and prayerful, imitating Joseph and Mary, welcoming Jesus into our hearts and lives this Christmas.