The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
What would the Christmas story be without Joseph? There isn’t a single word of his recorded in the gospels, but we know him by his actions of fidelity and trust. “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him” embracing the gift of Mary and child after having decided to “divorce her quietly.”
In so doing, Joseph decided to heed the voice of a dream that promised much more than the relief of his doubts and anguish. He decided to be part of a new life. Perhaps in the waiting, the doubts he once had were transformed into new questions: What will this new life be like? Will I be ready for the encounter with its smallness that hides greatness? What role will I be able to play in it?
Embracing life means necessarily embracing uncertainty. On this holy day let us pray through the intercession of St. Joseph, for the virtues of hope and trust as we embrace life.