If using an Advent wreath, light the center Christ Candle tonight. Find suggested readings here.

Today is Christmas Eve and tonight begins the season of Christmas!

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
—From Matthew 1:18–25 (NKJV)

“Through Jesus we are all adopted into God’s family. We have the full rights to the inheritance of the King of the Universe!”

— The Joy of Advent

Reflection

Saint Augustine wrote about God’s “hidden providence”—those things that quietly pull us from darkness toward him. Joseph could never have guessed that of all the ancestors of King David, he would be called to be the Son of God’s earthly father. The theme of adoption is repeated many times in Scripture because we are likewise adopted into God’s family, and the church is the Bride of Christ. Reflect on this truth: You are so incredibly wanted, desired, and loved with God’s unfailing love. How will you respond to God’s offer of, “Come to my table?”

Celebrate Together

Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. Celebrate Joseph’s faithfulness, explore the Jesse Tree symbol of carpenter’s tools, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about our Heavenly Father.

Today’s Jesse Tree Symbol:
**Carpenter’s tools** remind us of Joseph’s profession.

Inspiration

Saint Joseph and the Infant Christ

Giovanni Battista Gaulli, c. 1670–85.

Music

Reflect as you enjoy O Come All Ye Faithful that we can all come to Jesus! [Play Video]

Reflect on Mary and Joseph’s obedience as you enjoy this medley of O Holy Night and Ave Maria. [Play Video]

Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.

Prayer

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility: That in the Last Day, when He shall come again in His glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the Life Immortal, through Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

(From Household Prayer, from Ancient and Authorized Sources, Medd, 1864)

Resources

Tonight is Christmas Eve! Discover how countries around the world celebrate Christmas.
For a fun musical rendition of the famous, Twas the Night Before Christmas, check out this performance by Timothy P. Irvin and the Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers.
Enjoy a printable coloring page of Joseph and Young Jesus.
Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.