Welcome, the Son of God

Time is growing short before we celebrate the Birth of Jesus later this week. But before we rush, we have one more opportunity to prepare our hearts and souls for the great feast.  The reading from Sunday is from St. Matthew and vividly describes how Jesus’ birth came about.

The fulfillment of salvation in history began when Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together as husband and wife, Mary was found with child through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Blessed Mother, pregnant with Jesus, was foretold centuries before by the prophet Isaiah. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” The name Emmanuel is a Hebrew word meaning, “God is with us.”

The sign Isaiah spoke of was more than just a sign; it was evidence of divine intervention in the human condition. The contradiction of a Virgin giving birth is an instance of the Holy Spirit’s love overshadowing her. The angel Gabriel at Mary’s Annunciation told her she had found favor with God. As the Holy Spirit descended upon her, the Archangel removed her doubts, saying, “For nothing will be impossible for God.”

At the moment Mary conceived, God had already entered into humanity. This is why we are so adamant that every child in the womb is already a human person. Further, it shows the power of God’s presence in every conception. The birth of Jesus sanctifies the vulnerable children in the wombs of their mothers.

The momentous situation of a woman, a virgin, pregnant, was not something St. Joseph could comprehend by himself.  He did not know God’s plan and was working off his mortal interpretation, concluding the situation would only harm Mary. He decided the best course of action was to divorce her.  St. Joseph, a righteous man, was the perfect spouse for Mary because his motive was to protect her, a virtue every husband should have.

Little did St. Joseph realize that God is humanity’s true protector. At the right time, God intervened with Joseph, sending an angel to him through a dream, telling him not to be afraid because the Holy Spirit was the cause of the unnatural conception.

The angel continued to unveil the plan of salvation by telling Joseph to name the child to be born, Jesus. The angel further said to him that the child to be born will save his people from their sins. No one but God can forgive or save people from their sins.

Although the angel gave Joseph more information, he did not explain everything. St. Joseph’s faith in God was integral to the birth of Jesus. We, too, never have the whole story of God’s providence in our lives, and our faith supports what is unknown.

After the angel left Joseph and he awoke from his sleep, Joseph took Mary into his home as the angel commanded. The announcement of Jesus’ birth carries another powerful message besides God coming to be with his people in flesh and blood. It is how the Blessed Mother and her spouse, Joseph, welcomed God’s initiative to be with them in an intimate way for the good of all people.

The invitation, albeit in a special way with the parents of Jesus, is an invitation to all of us. By becoming man, Jesus, through grace and the Holy Spirit, invites us to live in God’s presence. When we think back on our lives honestly, we should be sad to admit how many times we have not welcomed him or doubted his love for us.

With the few days left before we celebrate Christmas, take time to open your heart to welcome God who is with us, as did Mary and Joseph. Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? Welcome God, welcome one another, and rejoice in the grace God has in store for you.

This will be the best Christmas present you will receive this year.