Open Advent Window 3 – Joseph and Gabriel By 167th Scout Group on December 3, 2020 (updated July 17, 2023) In Advent2020, Uncategorized / 0 comments As Sense of Purpose Reflection by David Jeanneret (aka Baloo) Today’s window shows the Angel Gabriel appearing to Joseph in a dream. Joseph was engaged to marry Mary … and she was pregnant. How exciting for them, BUT Joseph knew he wasn’t the father. It was scandalous, outrageous! The Bible tells us – Mary’s husband, Joseph, was a good man. He did not want to disgrace her in public, so he planned to divorce her secretly. While Joseph thought about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son. You will name the son Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people.” I wonder if you’ve ever questioned someone’s character? Made a decision about whether to be friends with them because of something you’ve heard about them. This would have been huge for Joseph. To marry a girl who everyone else would think had done something wrong. But God gave him the reassurance he needed. When we need a bit of reassurance, or comfort we can often go to a friend, or a parent, maybe a favourite place, food or toy. In these uncertain times maybe a dream from God would have been helpful too. God doesn’t change Joseph’s situation – he still has to raise a child that people will know is not his own, he still has to marry someone who others will think badly of, but God promises Joseph that this baby will save his people, and I hope, this Christmas, the good news of Jesus will bring comfort and reassurance to you too. Read the story of Joseph and Gabriel in Matthew 1:18-25 Remember the Letter of the Day Each Advent Day we reveal one letter. When you visit the Window, somewhere around Westbury-n-Trym, you will see that the QR code poster has a letter. Collect all 24 letters and rearrange them in to a four letter phrase. If you submit the phrase here, you will enter a prize draw. Submissions close on Sunday 10th January 2021. Here is a clue to get you started: _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ ! Entries for the competition have now closed. Print and Colour a Nativity Scene Each Advent Day we will provide one page for you to print, colour, cut and arrange in to a Nativity Tableaux. Introduction to the Printable Nativity Advent Calendar to ColourDownload Today’s Item: Star and MangerDownload