Today’s Scripture: Matthew 1:18-22

20 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."  (NRSV)

Artwork by Ben Blanchard

Most of us have big plans during this season.  Some are looking forward to spending time with family, some are anticipating the exchange of gifts, and some are looking forward to big meals and football.  What happens, though, when our best-laid plans are interrupted?  A fight between family members, the wrong toy bought for your kids, weather problems, sickness, and many other things can interrupt our plans and steer us away from what we believe is important.

Joseph’s plans were interrupted in a huge way.  He went from planning the rest of his life together with Mary to planning their divorce.  And then he had a dream.  A dream that helped him understand what God wanted for him and his family.

In the midst of uncertainty and what must have seemed like a life turned completely upside down, Joseph listened to God.  While not many of us receive the specific advice from God that Joseph got, it can help us to remember that not even he knew what to do without God’s help.  In the midst of small and large interruptions in life, if we take the time to listen to God, to see things from a different perspective than our own, we can often learn more about ourselves and our relationship to God.