O Leader of the House of Israel,
 giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
 come to rescue us with your mighty power!

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.” 
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. 
(Mt 1:18-25)

In Matthew’s gospel, Saint Joseph takes an important role in the Infancy Narrative. Pope Francis has proclaimed an extraordinary Holy Year of Saint Joseph which runs from December 8, 2020-December 8, 2021. Perhaps for all of us, Saint Joseph is a good example of doing what the Lord asks of us. The photo today is a detail of the head of Saint Joseph from a stained glass window in Saint Pius V Catholic Church in Troy, Indiana.The Christmas Carol today is from Colombia, Las Barbas de San José (The Whiskers of Saint Joseph).