The gospel today invites us to pause and reflect with the quiet almost hidden  figure of Joseph. Its amazing to see that Joseph does not speak a single word. Yet his silence speaks volumes. He is described as “a just man” – not because he knew all the answers, but because he trusted God enough to act when the answers were unclear. This is very relevant for our situation, we sometimes look for clear answers, and they are not forthcoming. Joseph finds himself facing a situation that could easily have shattered him. The woman he loves is pregnant, and the child is not his. He has every legal right to expose Mary to shame. Instead, he chooses mercy. Even before the angel appears, Joseph’s instinct is compassion. He resolves to protect Mary, even at a cost to himself. This is what righteousness looks like in God’s eyes. Then comes the dream. “Do not be afraid.” How often those words appear in the Scriptures – 365 times, one for evert day of the year – and how much they are needed. Joseph is not given a full explanation. He is not shown how everything will turn out. He is simply asked to trust: “Take Mary as your wife… the child is from the Holy Spirit.” And Joseph does. He wakes from sleep, and the Gospel says simply, “He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” No argument. No delay. No demand for proof. His obedience is immediate and quiet. Joseph teaches us something essential about faith: faith is not having everything figured out; faith is saying yes when God interrupts our plans. Advent reminds us that God often comes to us in ways we did not expect. Rarely does God arrive on our timetable or according to our preferences. Like Joseph, many times we are asked to embrace situations we did not choose, paths we did not imagine, responsibilities we did not seek. The question Advent places before us is simple and demanding: Will we trust God enough to take the next step? The angel tells Joseph that the child will be named Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins,” and Emmanuel, “God-with-us.” Not God – above – us or God – distant – from us, but God – with -us – in confusion, in uncertainty, in fear, and in fragile human relationships. As Christmas approaches, we might feel the pressure to have everything perfect: the preparations done, the celebrations organised, the family tensions smoothed over. Joseph reminds us that God does not wait for perfect circumstances. God enters real life  – complicated, unfinished, and vulnerable. In these final days of Advent, we are invited to imitate Joseph:

• to listen more than we speak, its not about what I think.
• to act with mercy, sometimes we comment about a situation, we gossip about it, we spread false rumours about it, just look at social media.
• to trust that God is at work even when the path ahead is unclear. He has assured us that the powers of the world will not prevail against his church; do we trust Him – “Do not be afraid”

May we welcome Emmanuel into our homes and hearts, not because we understand everything, but because, like Joseph, we dare to say yes.