O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law…: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
O Antiphon: O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
Today’s Gospel: Mt 1:18-25
“…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….”
Reflection: Today’s Late Advent O Antiphon proclaims the power of God to save us from all that takes us away from God. Today’s Gospel shows how we might see that power of God. St. Joseph, the dreamer, has a strong and real dream of an angel coming to tell him Mary’s good news, the presence of the Savior within her own body. He hears, “God is with us,” and he believes it! Do we act as though God is with us?
Let us pray: Jesus, Emmanuel, show me your power! Help me to see, to know, that you are always nearby, always with me as I face today’s challenges. Help me prepare to celebrate your Incarnation.