Lectio Divina: For the 3rd Week of Advent

Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (FIRST READER ONLY)

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/

Joseph, being a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to public disgrace/

Planned to dismiss her quietly/

Just when he had resolved to do this/

An angel appeared to him in a dream/

The angel 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./