Faith+ICS+ML15

__**December 18th 2014 Gospel**__

__**Matthew 1:18-25**__

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

// Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, // // and they shall name him Emmanuel, //

which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.  __**Summary**__ When the time came for Jesus to come into the world, God chose a woman named Mary. She was betrothed to Jesus' earthly father Joseph. Before they were married Joseph saw that Mary was with child. Being a righteous man, Joseph was going to divorce her quietly so that no shame would come to her. Before he could do so, an angel of God came to him in a dream saying to not be afraid of taking Mary in as his wife. The angel told him that Mary was chosen to have the Son of God and that through the Holy Spirit is how the baby was conceived in Mary's womb. He told Joseph that that the baby shall be named Jesus, and he shall save the people from their sins. When Joseph awoke he did as the angel commanded and took Mary into his home to be his wife. They took no relations into each other until the baby was born. They named him Jesus.  **Reflection**  Jesus is telling us to not be afraid to take in someone that you don't want to take in. We should trust in God, he knows what he is doing. Sometimes God gives obstacles that we don't want to overcome to test us, and we get through them. Joseph was chosen to be Jesus' earthly father, he almost turned down that opportunity. We are tested in our everyday life with obstacles that God has given us. Sometimes we don't want to be in the same group as someone else, or you don't want to sit at the same lunch table as other people. God gives us many tests daily, but he also gives us opportunities to do something about it. You can sit with someone that nobody else wants to sit with or group with someone that nobody wants in their group.  Think about the bigger picture and not just yourself. First of all you should think about the other person's feelings, and second, you should think about what God would want you to do. Even though in the beginning when Joseph was going to divorce Mary, he was going to do so quietly so that she wouldn't be embarrassed and people wouldn't think so wrongly of her. Then when he found out in his dream that it was through the Holy Spirit that the baby was conceived in Mary's womb, he happily took Mary into his house.You think about how that person that nobody wants to sit with or doesn't want in their group feels. Then you think about what God would want you to do. An easier way to say that, and I am sure you have heard this before, think about that was you. If you were the one that nobody wanted to sit with, or nobody wanted you in their group. God will always be there with you to help you overcome obstacles, to listen to your problems, or to comfort you. Just trust God and everything is going to be fine. **Prayer** Dear Lord, Help me to take in people that I don't necessary want to take in or be with. Help me to overcome the obstacles that are given to me in my everyday life. Help me to become closer to my piers and the people that I might have troubles or problems with. I know that you are always with and that I will always have you to count on or go to if I need someone to talk to. I know that you will lead the way on the right path. Help me to stay on that path and to not stray away from you.  Amen.  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">