Joseph is an interesting person in the Christmas narrative. He is only mentioned a few times in all the gospels but without him the Advent of Christ could not have happened the way it did. Joseph played a critical role in the legitimacy of Jesus’ birth, not only for the sake of Mary’s place in society but to fulfill many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.  When we first meet Joseph in the first chapter of Matthew, he is in shock over the news that the woman to whom he was engaged was already pregnant. This was a crisis because he knew the child was not his and had decided a legal divorce was the only course of action. His life would forever be changed. The Angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream with an important message. In spite of being in crisis mode he heard and obeyed the word from God. Matthew 1:18-25 reveals some interesting aspects of Joseph’s life that helped him hear and respond in obedience to the Word of the Lord, even when he was in crisis mode. Many times, the business of life together with the big and smaller crisis we face in life can prevent us from hearing the voice of God. As God sent a message to Joseph, he also has a message for us through the Advent of Christ. A message we could miss if we don’t prepare ourselves to hear the voice of God. Join us this Sunday as we look at the angelic visit to Joseph and Hearing the Voice of God in Advent.