The Annunciation and Saint Joseph

Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM

The Annunciation and Saint Joseph

O Come, O Come Emanuel.

O Come, O Come Emanuel

In today’s Gospel we hear the reason why we sing this song during Advent. While this hymn is very known . . . it is also very unknown. We tend to sing a verse or two or so, but not the full set of verses. This hymn is the hymn for Advent. It is the hymn especially for the last week of Advent. Each day, during Mass, one of the verses from this hymn is recited. It is also recited by priests during their evening prayers this week. The origin of this hymn is actual from the preparation of the last week in Advent leading up to Christmas and the celebration of the Nativity.

Each day, who we call Emanuel, God Is With Us, according to the mysterious prophesies of the Old Testament. It is worth getting a copy of the full set of this hymn and meditate on the verse for the day; calling out to the Lord to understand the verse as intended by Heaven. This meditation helps in the understanding of who it is that we are expecting to come. Hear more about this ancient imagery, and how it impacts our preparation!

Change In Focus Within The Mass

Over the last seven days of Advent, the readings change. We change our focus from the future day the Lord will come again, to something more immediate. The liturgy focuses on the day that already came, the Nativity Scene. The focus is now on the day the Lord was born for us and let the light shine on His face for the world to see. We hear about how the birth of Jesus comes about . . . during these last seven days.

On this day, we hear about Joseph. Yesterday’s Gospel’s focus was on the list of genealogy for Jesus; we hear each generation’s name down to Joseph. He is not known as the father of Jesus in the genealogy Gospel. He is known as the husband of Mary. This is the original title of Joseph. Joseph, Husband of Mary. In the Church’s devotion to Joseph, this is the title that is privileged above all others. Why? Because it the title the Holy Spirit gives him, as He speaks of Jesus coming into the world. Listen to more about this title.

Today’s Gospel Focus Is Actually That Jesus Is Pleased To Be Born Into This World

In today’s Gospel, the focus is on Joseph’s relationship with Mary, as Jesus comes into the world. While it may seem that it is simply a story of the relationship of Joseph and Mary, it is more than that! Scripture actually communicates the fact that Jesus is pleased to be born into this world. This is the amazing focus of today’s Gospel. With this in mind, listen / re-read the Gospel again with the engagement and meditation focus.

Jesus enters the world in a specific way. Hear about Heaven’s Annunciation to Joseph. Listen to this Homily. Jesus is pleased to come into the world. Listen to this audio and hear more about the necessity of Mary and Joseph. Listen to this Meditation Media.