Welcoming Jesus at Christmas,
like Joseph and Mary.
December 2019

    O most blessed Patriarch, glorious Saint Joseph, who were chosen as the adoptive father of the incarnate Word, the pain you felt when you saw the birth of the Child-God in such poverty, has been changed in heavenly joy when you heard to the angelic harmony and saw the glory of that very bright night. (2nd Sorrow and Joy of St. Joseph).

    This prayer, one of St. Joseph's Sorrows and Joys, clearly summarizes the change that took place in the heart of St. Joseph at the birth of the Child Jesus: the pain caused by the precarious conditions in which the Savior was born has become great joy, by the succession of events that occurred shortly thereafter: (1) the joy of seeing that all went well and Jesus was born in a safe and welcoming environment, surrounded by the love of his parents (Luke 2: 1-7); (2) the joy of hearing from the shepherds the testimony of the joyous feast in heaven manifested by the Angels during the announcement of the Savior's birth (Luke 2: 8-20); (3) the joy of hearing from the Eastern Magi the account of the revelation they had received and witnessing the recognition of the Child as worthy of worship (Mt 2: 1-12).

    Welcoming Jesus at Christmas, as Joseph and Mary did, is practically impossible. They were the people who “best prepared the way of the Lord,” a happy expression of St. Joseph Marello that summarizes a whole process of vocation, discernment, acceptance of God's will, and all the activities that preceded the “turning point” of the coming of Jesus into the world (The coming of Jesus into the world is the turning point, called by the apostle Paul the “fullness of time,” when “God sent his Son, born of a woman,” to “ransom those under the Law," that “they might receive adoption” (cf. Gal 4: 4-5). "Of this divine mystery Joseph is, together with Mary, the first depository" (RC 5). (Tarcisio Stramare, osj, Com São José na estrada de Jesus. Editora Santuário) Let us hear St. Joseph Marello:

    “Mary and Joseph were the souls who best prepared the way of the Lord. Therefore we must imitate these two models if we are to properly prepare the coming of the Baby Jesus. Therefore, we must first carefully consider their conduct and then faithfully practice those virtues they have exercised, especially humility, patience, and conformity to God's will.” (Spiritual Teachings of Venerable Joseph Marello. Edition organized by Fr. Antonio Santarsiero).

    At Christmas, the “turning point” of Jesus' coming into the world, Joseph provides what is necessary for the Son of God to be born in a welcoming environment. Evangelist Luke tells that Caesar Augustus ordered a census for his entire empire. He wanted to know his full potential in terms of population and wealth. Joseph and Mary, belonging to the house of David, were to appear in Bethlehem. Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy. The journey, difficult and tiring, was a 100-mile walk: Bethlehem was on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Finding no place in the inn, Joseph, a practical man, sought out a cave that used to house animals, a rustic and quiet place, almost certainly a stable. It was there that Mary gave birth to the Son of God. The poverty of the birthplace is in contrast to the warm atmosphere created by Joseph and Mary. The Child-God was born poor, but was received by the Holy Couple with so much love and affection that the warmth of the love of his parents greatly compensated for the simplicity of the place. (Josephite Spirituality Seeds. March 2016).

    At Christmas, the “turning point” of the coming of Jesus into the world, the joy of Joseph and Mary grows even more when they receive the visit from the shepherds and hear from them the account of the joyful manifestation of the Angels announcing the “good news” (Lc 2:10) of the Savior’s birth. Let us hear Saint Joseph Marello:

    “Around the Holy Child, beautiful and melancholy visions intertwine. Firstly, we see Jesus born in that dark and poor cave beside Joseph and Mary; all around is shame, poverty, sadness... and our heart trembles at this sight. But soon the divine light is manifested that illuminates that dark place with great splendor, while several legions of angels come to give glory and praise to the Word made flesh, singing joyfully the «Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.» Peace, peace, what a sweet word! Have the peace of the Lord. All those who serve you faithfully may have this beautiful treasure of eternal life.” (Spiritual Teachings of Venerable Joseph Marello. Edition organized by Fr. Antonio Santarsiero).

    Joseph was a privileged witness to the coming of the Son of God into the world. But, as Father Tarcisio Stramare, osj, teaches us, “Joseph not only saw and heard Jesus, but carried him, guided him in the first steps, embraced him, kissed him, fed him, and cared for him.” (Tarcisio Stramare, osj, Com São José na estrada de Jesus. Editora Santuário).

    In the Apostolic Exhortation “Redemptoris Custos” of Pope John Paul II, we read: «As guardian of the mystery "hidden for ages in the mind of God," which begins to unfold before his eyes "in the fullness of time," Joseph, together with Mary, is a privileged witness to the birth of the Son of God into the world on Christmas night in Bethlehem. Joseph was an eyewitness to this birth, which took place in conditions that, humanly speaking, were embarrassing, a first announcement of that "self-emptying" (cf. Phil 2:5-8) which Christ freely accepted for the forgiveness of sins.» (RC 10).

    Thirty years later, Jesus will say to his disciples: “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you,  many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and hear what you hear but did not hear it ” (Mt 13: 16-17). Among the happy recipients of this beatitude, Joseph was the one who, together with Mary, enjoyed it in a unique way, as St. Bernard proclaims: “The Lord found Joseph after his own heart and entrusted him, with total assurance, the most mysterious and sacred secret of his heart. To him he revealed the arcana and the secrets of his wisdom, granting him to know the mystery unknown to all the princes of this world. What many kings and prophets wished to see and did not see was given to him, Joseph, who not only saw and heard but carried him, guided him in the first steps, embraced him, kissed him, fed him, and took care of him.” (Sermon on“ Missus est ”).

    We must welcome Jesus at Christmas, like Joseph and Mary, and joyfully receive the message that came from heaven: “The angel said to them: «Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.» (Lk 2: 10-11)”.

Reflection and Sharing

    Share on the words of Saint Joseph Marello: “Mary and Joseph were the souls who best prepared the way of the Lord. Therefore we must imitate these two models if we are to properly prepare the coming of the Baby Jesus. Therefore, we must first carefully consider their conduct and then faithfully practice those virtues they have exercised, especially humility, patience, and conformity to God's will.”

Commitment of the Month

    Prepare for Christmas by cultivating the virtues of humility, patience, and conformity to God's will.