Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of Saint Joseph: SECOND SORROW AND JOY

The Birth of Jesus Christ

At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown. Joseph went from the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger – there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared…singing praises to God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased.”

Silent Reflection

Prayer

Dear St Joseph, it was truly a sad experience to allow your pregnant wife to give birth in a lowly cave. No one can truly imagine the embarrassment you experienced setting eyes on the King of kings laid in the animals’ trough. Yet this formed part of God’s plan, making His Son’s coming at a time least expected by people who were so preoccupied with what matters in the world: power, wealth, prestige. Soon enough, the birth pangs, the cold treatment from people who shut their doors before you, and the poor condition of the stable were all set aside, giving way to the true joy of this passing world – the Messiah born of your immaculate spouse, tended by you, and worshipped by both angels and shepherds.

There are moments when we behave like the Jews who failed to recognize our Lord’s coming. We have been fully engaged in enjoying the blessings we received, but have forgotten the needs of others. May we always bear in mind that our God is someone who, on that first Christmas, decided to be with his people. Like you, may we take courage from this reality, remaining still in the abiding presence of our Saviour-God.

We remember in our prayers all those who suffer in war-torn parts of the globe that like you, they may see the hand of God working for their deliverance. Lastly, we also remember our particular intentions…Amen.

1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be