Matthew 1:24-25 “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.”
 

Adonai, I trust You completely. You are most powerful, and You care for each of us deeply. I have no doubts that Your will shall be fulfilled in my story, even if I don’t know all the details or how it will happen. I entrust Joseph to You right now. As the morning light spreads warmth across our land, may Your light of understanding melt the coldness I saw in his eyes when he realized I was pregnant. He rushed out so quickly, I could not tell him all of the news, but I don’t think I was supposed to. I believe that he needs to hear it from You, and I am at peace with that. 

I have a feeling that this is a pattern I will always have to follow. If my son is to be the Messiah, I can only imagine that life will be full of situations impossible to explain with human words. I will lean into You always and trust that in all situations, starting with this one right here, You are sovereign and can handle each detail. I will wait here for Joseph to return. I believe he will. 

Just then there is a knock at the door and my heart begins to race. I hear my mother’s voice and then a deep, “Good morning. Where is she?” He doesn’t sound angry. He sounds excited. Yes, Adonai, You never disappoint! 

I rush from my room and see him hugging my mother. They are both crying. “Joseph?” I tentatively ask. 

He turns to me, and I can see in the glow of his eyes the wonder and the awe I felt that night Gabriel came to me. He knows. He knows!!! Praise be our God! 

“Mary, I had a dream. Just like Joseph, son of Isaac, from our past, I had a dream. And the Lord visited me and told me not to be afraid. He told me the most shocking and wonderful things all at the same time. Is it true?”

I answer with all the confidence You have instilled in me, “Yes, my beloved. I have not betrayed you. This child is a miracle from the Lord. I have been given a great grace. But, Joseph, so have you. You and I are to be the parents of the Messiah. Our Lord is using us to bring His salvation to our people.” Tears of joy are dripping down my face as I speak. I see them mirrored there as he comes closer and takes my hands. 

We look into each other’s eyes, and I can see his strength, his love, and his tenderness. I know that this journey will not be easy, but with my beloved by my side and You, Adonai, guiding us forward, we will be okay. We will build our family here in Nazareth and all will be as it was planned. 

“Mary, let us pray together right now. Let us give our united Yes to God.” We both fall to our knees, bowing our heads, and Joseph’s words fill the room and my heart. 

“Lord, we are Yours to do with as You will. Thank you for this beautiful woman and the gift of her love and devotion. Make me the husband she needs. Form within us hearts that are soft and open to Your love. Help us to love each other chastely and respectfully, with an unconditional quality that puts the other first. Build us into a couple that is rooted in Your law and let our home be a fitting place for Your son to grow and become strong. May this child know only love and security within our walls. And help us to always trust You, because we do not know the future, but we do know that You are already there, and You will never leave us. Make our family holy, Lord, just as You are Holy. Amen.” 

Reflection Questions: How can we increase our faith to be more trusting in all circumstances? It can be hard to let God be in control of the details and people in our lives. We want to solve problems and be in control. But Mary and Joseph show us that waiting with the Lord bears fruit and that resting with Him brings perspective and peace. Today, give over to the Lord all the things that are heavy in your heart, whatever they may be. Especially those things that are scary to give up. Let us make our families Holy, even in the messiness of life.

Prayer: Lord God, You showed Your mercy, power, and strength in the lives of the Holy Family and we want to be more like them. Give us the grace to follow You with complete trust. As we are just days away from Your Son’s birth in Bethlehem, make our own hearts open to His life within us. Amen.