“This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There’d have been no room for the child.”   Madeleine L’Engle

“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 pregnant from the Holy Spirit . . . Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18-19

The first thing we learn about Joseph, is that he has a kind heart. Hurt himself, he has no desire to hurt Mary.   Stinging and disappointed by Mary’s perceived betrayal, he still cares. Legally bound to each other through their betrothal, though not yet intimate, the couple is expected to be committed to a coming marriage. Only a legal divorce could end that commitment. Joseph’s heart must have broken, when he learned that Mary was pregnant.

Joseph is a good man, trying to figure a way out for her and for him, in an impossible situation. After a troubling night of trying to decide what to do and what not to do, having finally concluded he couldn’t continue with the marriage, he fell asleep.

God can work strangely in our sleep, sometimes with vivid dreams and at other times, unaware of what message was running through our brains while we slept, we wake knowing what to do.

For Joseph, it was the vivid dream of an angel speaking to him, breaking down the walls of resentment and pain, telling him not to be afraid. “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.” Matthew 1:20-21

Waking from the dream, Joseph decides to go ahead with the marriage, regardless of what people might think or say. He will accept the child as a gift from the Holy Spirit, and love both Mary and her child all of his days.

“Love is the irrational season.” Joseph’s response to Mary is irrational, for who would pay attention to a dream? Perhaps, he listens, because this is what his heart has always wanted to do. Love is what makes Christmas the irrational season.   Joseph, who in his love for Mary, quashed his fears.

The irrational season  is a time of   hearts growing kind at Christmas, hearts bending and stretching, to make room for people who need our love. Most of all, it is God’s love and acceptance for each of us, in our ambiguity, doubts and imperfection . . . Which may be, the most irrational love of all.

Prayer: God of Christmas and Christ’s coming,  Thank you for your love for us.  In this Advent season, draw us close to you, that we might experience the wonder and mystery of Christ’s coming. Make us mindful of angels among us, touching our world and speaking your words. May we be people, who let go of our fear, and follow where you lead. Amen.

Additional resources for Advent through Christmastide, including a daily Advent calendar can be found here: Devotions for Advent to Epiphany