This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
With all the preparations for Christmas even in the monastery- songs, cards and little lights- how sobering to hear this Gospel. It reminds us just how Jesus is born, how Christ comes into our lives- in ordinariness- in what seems awkward, even incongruous. It is God's delight to make this reality, our reality, his holy dwelling place.
