Thursday
Fourth Week of Advent - Love
(Matthew 1:18-21) Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’Scripture:
Hymn: Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine – Text & Tune / Youtube Video
Prayer:
Dear God, like Joseph, we are often anxious and worried about what to do. We pray that your healing words would come to us as they did to Joseph. Send us visions of peace and understanding so that we too can welcome Jesus into our lives. Give us the courage not to 'quietly dismiss' Jesus when his claims on our carefully structured lives are more than we can understand. As Chrismastide is drawing near, open our eyes to your own light that shines upon us; and let us truly welcome that Jesus who comes to love, and save, and frees us!