God is with us

“And they shall call Him Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us” (Mt.1:23). So was the extraordinary message of the angel of the Lord to Joseph in his dream after he had decided to divorce Mary. This changed the perspective of the man of faith, who, like Mary, was attentive and ever-ready to do the will of God as manifested to him.

The example of Joseph draws us closer to our goal in our faith journey in life, opening our eyes to re-direct our decisions to follow this ‘God-with-us’ or dwelling in our hearts to show that He is part of all our life events. This Jesus has embraced every nook and corner of humanity and remains alive in each one of us to become instruments of His word, as ‘undercover angels’ to be living reminders to one another of the right path to the Eternal Home.

May our homes and communities be as a Bethlehem of peace, where we constantly give birth to Jesus the Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, who promises peace and prosperity to all who share their God-given gifts and blessings, as we sing along with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth for God is blessing humankind” (Lk. 2:14). May we see the face of a merciful God in the face of the Babe dressed in swaddling clothes in the crib, and kneel in adoration with Mary and Joseph and all men and women of good will and humble spirits.