This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, December 18th is from Matthew 1:18-24.
“. . .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.’ . . .When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”
“Joseph was a righteous man, Matthew tells us, devoutly observing the law. He was also a decisive man, working out a plan that would enable him to uphold the law in a way that would be merciful to his betrothed. But the angel of the Lord intervened and Joseph immediately changed his plans. God can intervene in our lives as well, asking us to change our plans, no matter how decisive we already are. May we remain open to God’s intervention in our lives.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2022-2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25
Tuesday Isaiah 7:1-14; Luke 1:26-38
Wednesday Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45
Thursday 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56
Friday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66
Saturday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79
Vigil—Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25
Midnight—Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23