The mistery of the Incarnation of Jesus continues to revive our faith every year. Although from noble families, Joseph and Mary were considered humble people in their communiy. God chooses the poor in spirt to commssion them with greath things to manifest His Glory.
GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 1:18-24
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband, Jospeh, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
And they shall name him Emmanuel,’
Which means, “God is with us.’
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
REFLECTIONS:
As we light the fourth candle, the candle of love, we are only a few days away from Christmas Eve. It was then, on Christmas Eve, on a cold night, while the shepherds around the hills of Bethlehem were huddled around the fire, that they looked up to the sky that was illuminated by a bright star, and they saw the Angel of the Lord, who stood before them. They were terrified but the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.’”
When the shepherds went into Bethlehem, they found, exactly as the angel said, the father, the mother, and the newborn babe, who was laid in the manger, and they fell to their knees and worshipped Him.
His mother was Mary from Nazareth. Mary was a cousin of Elisabeth and descended from the priestly line of Aaron. She was virgin who, while engaged to Joseph, was visited by the angel Gabriel. The angel explained to her that she will conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus, and “he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor, David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33). Mary understood the angel’s explanation, according to which “The Holy Spirit will come upon [her], and the power of the Most High will overshadow [her]; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35). Mary accepted this plan with the words: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) And the angel departed from her.
Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, was a righteous man. He was a carpenter by trade, and a descendant of King David. Joseph loved Mary. They were engaged, and they were planning to get married when Mary was found with a child. Being a righteous man, Joseph resolved to protect Mary. To handle this issue discretely, and to save her from public disgrace, he resolved to quietly dismiss her. Just when he decided to do this, an angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel instructed Joseph to take Mary as his wife, and to welcome Jesus with open arms. Jospeh, like Mary, said “yes” to God’s plan. Because of a census, the three of them, Mary, Joseph and the unborn child, went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, the ancestral home of Joseph, where Jesus would be born at the appointed time. They were among their own kin, but there was no place for them at the inn. A secluded location was found away from the crowds in a stable with a manger to feed the animals. After Jesus was born, Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger. This is where the shepherd found the baby Jesus, the Messiah, just as it has been foretold by the prophets and declared by the angel.
Today’s candle is also known as the Candle of the Angel. (1) Just as the angel heralded the birth of the Savior, we rejoice with grateful hearts for the coming of the birth of Jesus who is the Prince of Peace and the incarnation of God’s love. As we reflect on Mary and Josph’s “yes,” we ask that we may receive God’s love and peace and become channels of God’s love and peacemakers as Christmas nears.
A simple prayer as we light our candle this Sunday might say: “Lord, through the angel’s message we have come to believe in your Son; lead us by His love and passion to the glory of His Resurrection, as we await the Prince of Peace.” (2) A more elaborate prayer might say: “Heavenly Father, this fourth candle of love reminds us of the boundless love that sent your Son. As we prepare for Christmas, inspire us to love one another as you have loved us, reflecting Christ’s light in our actions. Help us to receive the gift of your love and share it freely, so that the world may know your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” (3)
Sources:
- Salter, G. C. (2025). What is the Meaning of the Fourth Week of Advent Candle? Retrieved from: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-fourth-advent-candle.html. Accessed: December 16, 2025.
- Schaepperkoetter, B. (2025). Fourth Sunday of Advent Prayer: Love Sunday. Retrieved from: https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/advent-prayers-week-four-the-love-of-advent.html. Accessed: December 16, 2025.
- Bolinger, H. (2025). Advent Week 4-the Candle of Love and the Christ Candle. Retrieved from: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-candle-of-love-and-the-christ-candle-for-advent-week-4.html. Accessed: December 16, 2025.