Incarnation

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Incarnation

Angelic     Message     Sign

Promising     Birthing     Obedience

Fulfillment of the Prophecy

Emmanuel

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 1:18 to 24

This is the way that Jesus Christ was born. When his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she was pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Her husband Joseph was faithful in following the law but did not want to embarrass Mary. He decided that he would divorce her quietly.

An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream when he was pondering this. The angel said, "Joseph, son of David, do not worry about taking Mary into your home. The child within her has been conceived through the Holy Spirit. She will give you a son and you will call him Jesus, because He will lead His people away from sin."

This will fulfill the words of the Lord through the prophet: Behold, the young maid shall become pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will call Him, Emmanuel. This means "God is with us."

Joseph woke up and followed the words of the angel and took Mary into his home.

Reflection

Remarkable news!

How can this be?

How can God be with us?

This is amazing Good News. God loves us so much that God wants to actually dwell with us and live among us.

God wants to share our joys and sorrows. A child will be born to Mary and Joseph through the working of the Holy Spirit.

This is so unusual and so extraordinary that Joseph can not understand how this can happen. We can all understand Joseph's reaction. This seems impossible.

The angel needs to reassure Joseph. We can not limit the action of God. 

We can only wonder at the plan of God and be astounded at God's generosity.

It is a Love that is so deep and so complete that we are left to both delight in it and rejoice. We are humbled by the Incarnation---God taking on human flesh.

The prophecy was made and is fulfilled. God is true to the Word of God.

So true that the Word will dwell with us and remain with us through sign and sacrament. 

We are invited to follow the path of Joseph: to wake up and to take Jesus into our hearts and into our homes.

Emmanuel is here!

1. How can God come to be with us?

2. Can you understand Joseph's reaction when he discovers that Mary is pregnant?

3. What does it mean for you to follow the path of Joseph?

4. What feeling do you get from Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)