By Deacon Franz Fruehwald • Posted December 19, 2025

As we light the fourth candle on the Advent wreath we find ourselves only a few days away from Christmas. The Sunday Gospel invites us to see the mystery of Christ’s coming through the quiet and resolute faith of Joseph.

Joseph is engaged to Mary and he finds that she is pregnant. Suddenly, Joseph’s world is turned upside down and he is faced with confusion, fear and disappointment. His first thoughts were of compassion and mercy — he would quietly divorce Mary to shield her from shame.

While Joseph is struggling with his decision, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream assuring him that the baby was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and asking him to trust what he cannot fully understand.

Joseph does not demand guarantees or certainty. He awakes from his dream and responds without hesitation, taking Mary into his home as his wife and raising the baby as his own, naming him Jesus. Joseph becomes for us a role model of courageous faith, a man who allows God to interrupt his plans and reshape his life.

The Gospel reminds us that faith is sometimes expressed in silent decisions, in trusting God’s presence even in moments of uncertainty that demand our confidence in the divine plan.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we be like Joseph, rising from our fears, opening our hearts and be assured that God is at work even though we do not see the full picture. Let us welcome the love of God into our lives, making space for His work to unfold and blossom.

May God bless you and your families this Christmas season.

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Deacon Franz Fruehwald is a permanent deacon at Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley.