Advent: An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream

December 18, 2022 Emily Turner

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (God with us). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25, The Bible

Reflection questions offered by Rev. Dr. Lil Smith. Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you:

Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
Imagine you are Joseph, and you are in a relationship that will be perceived as disgrace.
God speaks to you in a dream, “Do not be afraid to move forward with this relationship. New life will emerge that rescues you (Jesus means to deliver or to rescue.)
Where does this faith live in you?
What obstacles need to be freed for you to believe this to be true?
Invite God’s transforming love into these obstacles.
What is your message from God?
Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 18, 2022, the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX. Upon completion of her spiritual direction certification, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time. Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within. It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well. So she began to share them regularly. You can sign up to receive them here.