Wednesday 18 December

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Today is Wednesday the 18 December, in the third week of Advent.

Bifrost Arts sing, ‘Our song in the night’. As you hear these words today, can you echo them in your own heart?

Instead of repeating the reading, with the focus on listening to the words and savouring them. The emphasis will be on imagining the scene described in the reading, in a form of contemplation recommended by St Ignatius, applying our senses and our imagination, to enter into the scene, to feel what it was like to be there.  Today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Today we’re going to focus just on that scene of Joseph’s dream, but first, spend a moment on the background to that scene, how Mary was found to be pregnant, the trouble that discovery must have caused, and probably tension between their families.  Just imagine for a moment how Joseph might have been feeling as he lay down to sleep that night.

Now imagine the scene, the scene of Joseph’s dream.  First, concentrate on what you can see.  What is the place like?  What does Joseph look like?  What does the angel look like?  What else can you see?

Now, listen.  Listen to the angel telling Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.  Perhaps Joseph says something in response.  What can you hear? And now consider what it is they are doing, Joseph and the angel.   The angel carrying the news of the birth of this Saviour; Joseph humbly accepting the role he is given.  The beginnings here, of the unfolding of God’s great saving plan.

Finally, you could spend some moments reflecting on yourself and how you are involved in all of this.  And, if you are moved to, speak to God about what you have learnt or felt or noticed during this time.