Sunday 22 December - Immanuel— God with us

Readings

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25 and Romans 1:1-7

Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel. (God with us).  Matthew 1:18-23

Reflection

This Advent reading from Matthew’s gospel provides for us a mixture of emotions from the fear of Joseph’s betrayal (perhaps we can identify with that) to a point where his feelings are met and overcome by the birth of a Saviour.

Joseph’s choices seem to be negative. There is a dilemma  and for a period of a time  there are hard choices. Divorce her publicly, divorce her quietly, either way he still has to  do it. Or does he? “Do nothing” never seemed to be an option but it  always is an option. There seemed no way forward. No possible solution that could lead to a redemptive solution. Only pain. It never  occurred to him that Mary’s unbelievable story might be God’s truth. It never initially occurred to Joseph that the only thing lacking was his embrace of the truth—and that the situation would be transformed.

What do we do when we face a situation in which our only choices appear to be negative?  What could we do? I feel for Joseph—may we be open to the God whose truth is transforming—may we be open to see the bigger picture and may we wait upon God as we struggle to grasp the situation in our lives and those whom we know whose lives are  filled with the “not yet” situations. For in these situations “God is with us”.

Prayer

God of strength and comfort,  I need your courage.
You offer to make firm the knees that are weak, and there are many weak through war and conflict.
Give me strength where I am weak and help to  redeem even the most difficult situations. Thank you for the hope of healing I have in you. Amen