Matthew 1:18-24

4th Sunday of Advent, year A.

Questions:

1) Our beginning was the same as that of Jesus, animated by the Breath of God. How does this shape how you feel about yourself? Your value? Your expectations?

2) And how does it shape how you feel about other people?

3) Joseph is a type for the history of Israel. Matthew wants us to understand Jesus as a person embedded in his history. How does your family, community and national history shape who you are? How does it enable you? How does it impede you?

4) Emmanuel = God is with us. How do you react to this revelation? Is it something which consoles? or challenges? or both?