As we continue our meditation on the gospels of Advent we are presented with other models of waiting, Joseph and Mary.

All our models, John the Baptist and now Joseph and Mary are showing us what it is to wait in hope –  Mary submitting to the will of God to bring His Son into this world and Joseph obedient to the will of God.

Pope Benedict in his latest encyclical Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope) says: “The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.” The Gospel presents us with several stories for meditation, the virginal conception, Joseph’s journey and Mary’s story.

…she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

We reflect here on the various ways Jesus comes to be born to us in this world, through a friend who was there for us in our time of need, despair; an event or experience in our lives that caused us to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour; a time of grace when we forgave someone who really hurt us – physically or emotionally or when someone forgave us for hurting her;

…Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.

Joseph’s journey is our journey. We recall a time when we willingly, happily and enthusiastically committed ourselves to a worthwhile project – to kick a bad habit, to serve our community, to champion a cause – and something happened that we were not happy with – someone said or did something to offend us, and we were tempted to pull out, to “divorce” ourselves from our commitment.

And then an angel came to us to quell our fears and we realised that what we had embarked on was of far greater significance, that it was something of God and that no offence could deter us from this commitment.

I recall working on a community development programme in Enterprise between 1986 and 1993. This programme was about working with people in the community, identifying their needs and together designing and implementing projects that would address those needs.

At one point some persons complained to my boss about my approach. I felt very distraught after giving so much to this effort and, like Joseph, was thinking about how to “pull out”.

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife…
However, my boss was there for me and through his words of wisdom and guidance I realised that this work was not about me nor was it my work but the work of the Holy Spirit, the work of God, which sought to encourage others to live differently and hope for the gift of new life.

For me the voice of the angel was my boss saying, “do not be afraid”. I continued with the programme for some time. It touched many lives.

As we prepare in this Advent time for the birth of Jesus we must not be afraid to commit ourselves to noble and just causes, we must not be afraid, as people of hope, to live our lives differently, and like Joseph, “take Mary home as our wife”. Mary carries within her the Son of God who will save our world.

She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.

Through community development programmes like Toco Foundation, PRIDE in Gonzales, and others that are happening in our country, attempts are being made to renew and revitalise our communities. Jesus is being born to the world.

Simple village communities, like the simple handmaiden, are fostering creative responses to their reality, people are convening to give birth to economic, cultural, social and environmental projects that will save themselves and others. 

Lord, we pray for all who commit themselves to a cause, a project, that will work with people to transform their oppressive situations.

We remember that in times of doubt, low self-confidence, disenchantment, betrayal you would send an Angel to calm our fears and restore our commitment understanding that when we work with people for their own development we are doing your work, we are building your Kingdom here on earth.

We pray for our leaders who are taking up public office that they like Joseph would be obedient to your will, unafraid to stand up for truth and to be wedded to justice. Lord, send them your angel to guide them as they take our country on the path of true people- centred development. 

On behalf of my family I wish all our readers a happy and holy Christmas.  May our Lord Jesus continue to be born into our families, communities, country and our world. May He bring you good health and prosperity in the new year.

Gospel Meditations for December are by Gary Tagallie of the parish of St Philip &St James, Chaguanas. The Programme Manager of the Poverty Reduction programme of the Ministry of Social Development, Gary and his wife Sheila Maria are the parents of four young children.