Unexpectedly, I was early retired at the age of 55. I initially looked for another job. But God had other plans for me. Being retired, resulted in me having more quiet time, as Joseph did in his dream. I began to hear God speaking to me and calling me to be a deacon, quite a change from being a chemist. I pondered these things in my heart for some time, before finally saying "yes."

In todayís gospel we hear, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about." In last yearís Gospel reading, Luke told this story from the perspective of Mary saying "yes" to the Archangel Gabriel. This year, Matthew tells the story through Joseph, who says "yes" to an angel of the Lord. Both Mary and Joseph had to say "yes" so that Jesus could enter into our human history.

These events bring to mind how the lives of Mary and Joseph are much like our lives today and of our continuing struggle to carry out Godís requests. The events also remind us of how grateful we should all be that Mary and Joseph agreed to the requests made by God.

Consider some of the difficulties that Mary and Joseph, who were human just like us, had to undergo. Traveling 70-plus miles by donkey to Bethlehem from Nazareth to be enrolled, as Caesar had commanded, was not easy for pregnant Mary, as I think you mothers would agree.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, they had no accommodations. Husbands, if we took our expectant wife to the hospital and were told they wouldnít admit her and that neither motels nor hotels were available, we would be a bit unnerved.

I doubt that Mary and Joseph just said to themselves, "Oh well, I guess this is how Jesus is to be born." Rather, they must have been very concerned about the possible outcome. They also had to be totally obedient to their God and have strong faith to go through this ordeal.

After the birth of Jesus, their problems did not end. Now, with a new born child, they were told to go to Egypt, a foreign country, and not return to the comfort of their home in Nazareth.

As we hear of the account of the birth of Jesus, we should draw strength from the example of Mary and Joseph and pray that we can make the same commitments they did. Just as Mary and Joseph encountered problems that required them to make difficult decisions, we also should be willing to make some ourselves.

Young people must make decisions on whether or not to remain chaste, to honor their parents, to avoid drugs, and to associate with those who share their belief in the birth of the Son of God. These decisions are just as difficult as the decisions required of Mary and Joseph.

For adults, we can decide to love our families, spend time each week in eucharistic adoration, attend Mass, and support the organizations in our parish. Often, thatís not convenient. It might interfere with social or recreational activities. Mary and Joseph had to reorganize their whole lives, but it was worth the effort.

The birth of Jesus would not have happened if Joseph and Mary had said, "No, I donít have the time. I want to live the easy life and avoid any difficult situations that might result in my losing the friendship of those with whom I associate. No, Iíll just go along with the crowd."

The grace that filled Joseph and Maryís lives can be ours by holding fast to prayer, Scripture reading, and active participation in a living community of believers.

Jesus is Emmanuel, which means "God with us." He is not just "God-with-Joseph," or "God-with-Mary." Each and every one of us is awesome and precious in Godís sight and all of us are part of his plan to bring salvation to the world.

All we have to do is to say "yes" to God!