Living the Message Dec.24

The Dream (Christmas 1974)

...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. (Matthew 1:20)

Amiably conversant with virtue and evil,
The righteousness of Joseph and wickedness
Of Herod, I'm ever and always a stranger to grace.
I need this annual angel visitation.

--sudden dive by dream to reality--
To know the virgin conceives and God it with us.
The dream powers its way through winter weather
And gives me vision to see Jesus gift.

Light from the dream lasts a year Impervious
To equinox and solstice it makes twelve months

Of daylight by which I see the crèche where my Redeemer lives. Archetypes of praise take shape

Deep in my spirit. As autumn wanes I count
The days 'til I will have the dream again.

Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. Ha name the baby Jesus.

Matthew 1:24-25