Our word is ‘dream.’ The reading from

Matthew delves into a dream. Only, considering the implications of Joseph's reality, it is more

of a nightmare than a dream. His reality is not a vision of sugar plums dancing in his head but

of betrayal and shame, both personal and public. His dreams for the future are short-circuited by

circumstances. We are reminded that Jesus comes into a family facing turmoil and upheaval.

Jesus comes into the complicated relationships of our life and world. This makes his birth

all the more real and relevant.