Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

By: Sister Karen Dietz

Opening Prayer

God has given us this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Come, O Jesus, Come.

Reading

Matthew 1: 18 - 24

Now 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.

Reflection

What keeps you awake at night these days? What worries you? What plans are you making as you try to drift off to sleep? This was probably a bit of Joseph’s experience. He had learned that his betrothed Mary was with child. From all that we can surmise, Joseph loved her and was surely confused and disappointed, yet he loved her AND he was a man of faith. He knew the laws of his day, and he did not want Mary to come to harm. I imagine it was very hard to hear the voice of God amidst all that other noise in his head and heart. I think the night was long for Joseph as he wrestled with all of this and it probably wasn’t until he finally fell asleep that he was quiet enough to allow the voice of God to break through. It was only then that it became clear that he could protect Mary and take her as his wife without shame. It was probably as dawn was breaking that he finally saw and heard God’s angel (as Mary had told him) and received the message that all would be well.

Christmas is now less than a week away. There is a lot of noise in our heads and hearts. There is all the usual preparations that are still happening. There might be travel coming or preparing for guests. There is also so much noise in the world around us; the wars, hunger, political strife and violence in our own country that seems to get louder with each passing day. And yet, Christ is breaking in and wants very much to be welcomed. The child Jesus is peaking into the crevices of our noise filled hearts and minds. How will you and I find the quiet to welcome him with warmth and joy?

Closing Prayer

Jesus, help me to listen for your coming into my heart even as I move through these noisy days of holiday preparations. Amen.

Welcoming the Holy