Counting the Days: December 16, 2023
Carolina Elliott ’26
Psychology with a concentration in Clinical/Counseling Psychology
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.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Reflection
Even before Jesus was born, God had the intention of becoming a part of the human narrative. Have pivotal moments significantly shaped your family’s history? God has played a role in shaping your genealogy. He knew you before your parents knew you, and He knew you before your grandparents knew your parents. And so on. Think of Abraham’s calling, the saving of Isaac, the Egyptian sojourn and rescue, the Davidic monarchy, the Babylonian captivity—and how it all led to Joseph. The fulfillment of God’s grand purposes and historical endeavors depended on a single perplexed and disheartened individual—a carpenter from a modest Galilean town. Even the holy family needed some time to prepare for Jesus.
The Good News of Salvation needed time to breathe and space to settle in. Think about that. Christ needed His own time to breathe and settle in. When you are surrounded by your family, take some time to look at them and enjoy their company from a different perspective. If you are still waiting and wondering at your unfolding story, look at everyone in the room with attention and awe. God is with you, and He has given you time that is needed for the arrival of God’s plan and purpose for you. Just like how Christ needed time to breathe and settle in, space is needed for God’s timing.
Prayer: Dear God, prepare our hearts and spirits for the arrival of Jesus Christ. Help us to see Your hand in our lives as we wait for our unfolding stories. In Your love and care for Your creation, Amen.