Daily Gospel Reflection for December 21, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

For me, motherhood often involves a simple prayer: “Lord, I entrust my family to you.” I pray this frequently because at my core, I’m a control freak. When something in family life is amiss, I keenly desire to swoop in and fix things, whether it is a health concern, a school challenge, or a relationship conflict. I want to help. If I’m honest, I want to be in control because it makes me feel like I'm protecting my family. 

Yet so much of our family life, especially as our children grow up, is out of our control. Saint Joseph’s obedience to God and his tremendous surrender to the Lord’s command for his family is a powerful example for families today of how to allow God to take care of our families and to work His plan in our homes. 

Saint Joseph may have been saddened, or even angry, when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy. His plan for the situation was to divorce Mary quietly. But because he was a virtuous man, he listened to the angel’s words:

"[D]o 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.”

By bringing Mary into his home and becoming the earthly father figure to God incarnate, Joseph relinquished control and entrusted himself and his family to God’s providence. He cared for Mary and Jesus and had a crucial role in growing the Holy Family and protecting God Incarnate. May we strive to be as faithful as Saint Joseph in our own families. 

Ponder:

What is one aspect of your family life that God is asking you to entrust to Him? 

Pray:

Lord, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, we entrust our families to you today.

Copyright 2025 Elizabeth Tomlin