December 18th, 2022 4th Sunday of Advent

God, Emmanuel, is with us. The promise made long ago to King Ahaz is fulfilled. That king lacked trust in God, and feared to ask for a sign. Matthew applies this ancient prophecy to Jesus’ birth, of a virgin who at last put total faith in God. But what was Mary’s predicament? We must not let false piety obscure what an earlier age saw clearly. Matthew tells the story from Joseph’s point of view. We hear of an angel’s visit to him rather than to Mary, for she was misunderstood and Joseph faced a dilemma. As a just man, he must obey the Law and repudiate his pregnant fiancé; as compassionate , he did not want to expose her to disgrace or punishment. He was about to divorce Mary quietly when God revealed his design. This child to be born, who will save from sin, shares with those closest to him the uncertainties and anguish of human life. Even his parents must learn to trust God completely. As Christmas nears, let us pray for trust like Mary’s and Joseph’s, that God may workout his plan in each of us.

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