Matthew 1: 18 -25 Jill A. Kirchner-Rose, MDIV, DMIN – Every angel seems to use “do not be afraid” as an opening line. But perhaps no one needed to hear it more than Joseph. What was happening to him was the stuff that ruins lives. As a man, he had all the rights to abandon Mary and preserve his dignity. The stakes were high– who would believe this? Worrying about what might happen in the future can rob us of sharing love today. Let us be messengers of encouragement and steadfast support, as Joseph was, for that which the Spirit is birthing in the world.