Advent Four and Coming Closer to the Mystery of the Incarnation The Matthean Gospel (1:18-24) invites us to consider the profound mystery of the Incarnation, God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ - and its impact on our earthly and eternal lives.

Our passage today focuses on Joseph, a righteous man, chosen by God to the earthly father of His Son, Jesus, and Joseph's faithful response to God. Mary is found to be with Child through the Holy Spirit, a situation that could have brought shame and scandal. But, Joseph we are told is a just man, and he chose to act with mercy and compassion. At first, he planned to divorce Mary quietly to spare her public disgrace. But an angel of God appears to Joseph and warms him of how Mary's pregnancy came about from the power of God through His Holy Spirit.   

Joseph's response to this divine message is one of faithfulness, he is immediate and obedient: he takes Mary as his wife and names the child Jesus, fulfilling the Prophecy that Emmanuel -God with us- would come to save His people from their sins. And this is the impact on us-even today. God loves us. Saves us. And wants us to be with Him for all eternity. 

So the message on this Fourth Sunday of Advent is: 

1. Trust in God's Plan, like Joseph when we are faced with hardship or uncertainty, Trust in the Word and Plan of God. Pray and listen to Him. He shall answer you. 
2. Courage and obedience: Joseph's courage to act according to God's instruction invites us to be courageous in living out our faith, even when family, friends or the culture says "No!"   Living our faith is countercultural, and obedience to God brings life and fulfillment. 
3. Joseph named God's Son Jesus. There is a lot in a name, Jesus means God saves. Now salvation and hope have come to us and the world, and as we prepare to welcome Jesus at Christmastime, let us open our hearts to the Lord and the Grace that He offers. 
4. God with us. The gift of Jesus reminds us that God is not a distant Creator, but rather that He is intimately involved in our lives. God is the heart of our faith and the source of our Joy. Remember, He wants to hear from us, to answer us, because He desires to be with us. That's you and me. 

Merry Christmas!