An Angel of the Lord Brings a Message of Hope in the Midst of Fear of the Unknown

“An angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream” (Matthew 1:20a). Joseph was deeply troubled. Mary was pregnant. He considered quietly divorcing her. Then came the angel, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20b–21). Joseph would still face unknowns, just as we all face unknowns. Yet he faced those unknowns filled with hope, because he trusted the word of God that came to him from the angel. So during this Advent season, we join Joseph in facing all of our unknowns with hope, trusting the Word of God that has come to us from the apostles, that Jesus is our precious ransom, only hope for sinful mortals, who gave His life and was raised, and who is coming again to restore creation to its original beauty and goodness.