St Joseph and the 4th Sunday of Advent

Just as any man would wish to have a happy home with a big family, a good job and live a happy life, someone somewhere would have to be willing to make the required sacrifice to make all these happen.

Be it is the traffic warden who wakes up early to stand at the bus stops to control traffic so you can get to work on time, or it is the geeks who work dead into the night to ensure you enjoy a seamless network whilst trying to send that important email; someone somewhere had to contribute to you having a good day.

'Just as St. Joseph played his part in history by not sending away the pregnant virgin over 2,000 years ago, just that singular sacrifice made it possible to have our Lord savior Jesus Christ born on Christmas'.

‘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.”  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.’ [Matthew 1:20, 24]

St. Joseph being a righteous man believed in the message he heard from the angel in his dream; we too have to believe in the beauty of our dreams.

Sunday 18^th was the 4^th Sunday of Advent. The fourth candle in the advent wreath is lit and may be known as the Angel’s candle. The readings relate to the annunciation of Christ’s birth.

St. Joseph who is the patron saint for workers inspires us to believe in the promises of the Lord even without actually witnessing it.

‘Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ [Hebrews 11:1]

'What is our level of our preparedness? Are we ready to receive Christ and make Him the center of our celebrations this Christmas?'