Things to talk about:

• What do you think Joseph was like?
• Do you think Joseph was nervous to be Jesus’ earthly father? Why or why not?
• What are the two names revealed by the angel? What do these names tell us about the baby to be born?
• Joseph trusted in God’s plan for him and for Mary. What do you think is God’s plan for your life?

Things to do:

• Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses – Joseph took Mary into his home. Take some time today to make a gingerbread home.
• Spend time at the Crib – spend some quiet time in prayer near the Nativity scene at home or at Church. What does the manger teach us? How could God allow his Son to be born in a stable? Give thanks for the gift of Christ and the joy of the Christmas season to come.
• St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of Workers, especially those who work for justice. Who are the people you know who work for the rights of others?
• One Story – Two Storytellers – Matthew and Luke both contain the Infancy Narratives, telling about Jesus’ birth. Read Matthew’s story in 1:18-25 and 2:1-15. Read Luke’s account in 1:26-45 and 2:1-20. When we celebrate Christmas we combine all the parts to tell one beautiful, amazing story. Matthew wrote for the Jewish people and Luke for the Gentiles. They each have different details but the same message; Jesus came to save all people, Jews, Gentiles, and especially the poor. Jesus’ birth is “good news of great joy for all people.”

• Pray and sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Closing Prayer

The Divine Praises praise not only God, but the entire Holy Family. Have one person read the line, and everyone else repeats it.

Blessed be God.
Blessed be his holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his most precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.

Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the birth of Jesus from Joseph’s perspective.

The way that Joseph and Mary face these difficult circumstances tells us much about these holy people and their faith in God. Joseph and Mary are betrothed to be married. Betrothal in first century Jewish culture was the first part of the marriage contract. A breach of this contract was considered adultery; which if proven could be punishable by death. Joseph has rights under Mosaic law, but chooses to act discreetly in his plans to break the marriage contract, so as to protect Mary. Then God intervenes.

The message of the angel given to Joseph in his dream tells us about the child that Mary bears and his role in God’s plan. He is conceived by the Holy Spirit. His name will be Jesus, which in the Hebrew means “Yahweh saves.” He will be the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah: “. . . The virgin shall be with child . . . and shall name him Emmanuel [God with us].”

Joseph does as the angel directs. He takes Mary to be his wife and accepts the child as his own. Joseph and Mary are both models of what it means to be faithful servants of God.

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Did you know… this story about Joseph is only found in Matthew’s Gospel? Joseph is named as a son of David. Matthew’s Gospel was written for the Jewish community, who knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. This revealed that Joseph’s dream was about the coming of the Messiah.

Additional key concepts for this week:

Emmanuel – The word Emmanuel translates to “God is with us,” Hebrew, combining Immanu (with us) and El (God). It is a prophetic name for Jesus signifying His divine presence among humanity, fulfilled in His Incarnation, real presence in the Eucharist, and promise of eternal friendship. It’s an important Christmas theme, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, bringing hope and God’s saving power to the world. Read more…

Incarnation  – The Incarnation is the mystery and the dogma of the Word made Flesh. It is the mystery when God’s Son, Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, assumed a complete human nature (body, soul, human will) while eternally remaining fully divine, uniting these two natures in the single, divine Person of Jesus Christ, the God-man. It signifies God becoming flesh (“in-carnate,” in + caro, flesh) through Mary for humanity’s salvation, establishing Jesus as the one mediator between God and humanity, and affirming the profound dignity of human life by God entering into it fully. Read more…

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Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection