The Birth of Jesus

Today's Reflections

                                              

The Birth of Jesus

Mt 1:1-16, 18-23

…¹⁶Jacob [became] the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

¹⁸Now 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. ¹⁹Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. ²⁰Such 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. ²¹She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:/ ²³“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,/ and they shall name him Emmanuel,”/ which means “God is with us.”

To fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. Like all Jews, Joseph is looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. But he has no idea that he will play an important part in the story. On hearing about Mary’s pregnancy, he plans on getting a divorce. An angel appears to him in a dream, however, and reveals that the child has been conceived through the Holy Spirit. He will be born of his wife Mary. Joseph will name him Jesus and take care of him until he is ready to fulfill his mission. When Joseph awakes, he does as the angel has said.

At very low points in our life we may have considered quitting a job with a demanding boss or giving up on a relationship that has ceased to conform to our idealized view. This is when we need to pause and try to listen to what God is saying to us. God uses ordinary people like Mary and Joseph to do extraordinary things. We, too, can be instruments of God—even when we least expect it. Like Joseph, we just have to put our trust in God.

When we feel forgotten or even abandoned by God, let us pray with the Psalmist, “Look upon me, answer me, Lord, my God! Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed,’ lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in your mercy” (Ps 13:4-6a).

How are you celebrating Mary’s birthday?