Gospel
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.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such 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.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such 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.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
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Isaiah 9
6 For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government will be upon His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness
from that time and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
My favorite Christmas song of all time, Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone Chorale 1965
Isaiah 9:6 is a magnificent scripture encapsulating the complete story, time line and full character of the incarnation.
My favorite piece from Handel’s Messiah.
Thank you, Mary, for saying yes.
Thank you, Joseph, for raising Jesus as your own.
Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice for my salvation. I pray I am worthy of it.
And Thank you, God, for the gift of faith.
Amen.
That ’bout says it all. Thank you ma’am.
Our Lady felt safe at St. Joseph’s side…
St. Joseph taught an eager Boy, The Creator of Heaven and earth, the humble trade of the carpenter.
It was St. Joseph who comforted Our Lady at the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
St. Joseph was guided by the Holy Spirit as he watched over Mary.
I often prayed to St. Joseph to guide my husband in raising my son, his stepson. My prayers were answered.
In my mother’s later years I thanked her for giving me life, but more importantly, her gift of living with her example of unfaltering faith.
Honesty and craftsmanship – Frank Zappa
I agree, as they are parts of my foundation from long ago.
What has this to do with the thread ? More than one may realize ! Think it through and you may understand more in the process.
Praise the Lord!
Heavenly Father, The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in one little four-letter word…LOVE. You sent your gift of pure love to us that first Christmas. Love descended from heaven to be born of a virgin. Love lay in the scratchy hay of a manger in a meager barn in Bethlehem. All of your love, God, was robed in the delicate skin of a baby and wrapped in swaddling clothes. This final week of Advent, help us to reflect on the magnitude of love that was made manifest in Jesus.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his live for his friends.
“Hallelujah, Praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name.
Jesus Christ my living hope…”
(From song ‘Living Hope’ by P. Wickham)
Love this. We were blessed to see Phil Wickham acoustically in concert. Just thousands of people, complete darkness, and a man with his guitar. The most angelic voice and the lights on the camera phones came on. All by “candlelight”.
This one. His voice. His angelic voice. What amazing worship moments.
You’re Beautiful – Phil Wickham (Lyrics) – Bing video
From a Four Meditations Novena to St. Joseph….
“…chaste as the Lily, St. Joseph had deep, crystal pure thoughts …St Joseph was a just and silent man, absorbed in the things of God…”
Hate the sin, Love the Sinner.
Great timing re “loving the sinner”. We’re living in a world of sin and evil but That Love of The Almighty God transcends every bit of it in the Gift of His Son that saves the worst of all sinners, you & me.
In the homily today priest reflected on Joseph making his plan, but giving that up to follow God’s plan.
Amen.
Matthew is my favorite Gospel.
I grew up a Father, Son, Holy Ghost guy. 30 years ago, in an effort to know, “What is God’s will for me,” I read a Bible. It took me five and a half years, but I read the King James Version literally cover to cover, with The Jerusalem Bible Reader’s Edition nearby, in case I got hung up on any thee’s and thou’s. I could be wrong, but the only place I recall specifically seeing the words “this is the Will of God for you,” is in I Thessalonians 5:16-18. The book of Micah 6-8 does say, “This is what the Lord requires of you ….”
Merry Christmas to all.
I know it may be cliche but “Praise be to God.” Merry Christmas to all, as we celebrate the birth of our savior.
To the naysayers. It is of no consequence of the day that Jesus was born or if another celebration might have been usurped for the multitudes to remember the blessings upon us. It’s the lessons learned that matter.
God Bless Sundance! 🕊💕
Thank you for this, Menagerie.