We are exactly one week from Christmas. As we approach the celebration of Christ's birth we remember the special circumstances of how Jesus entered our world. Mary was now betrothed to Joseph, in a committed relationship with him but not yet formally married. But it is precisely in this period that Joseph realises his future wife is already with child. For such a serious matter, Mary could be liable to be stoned to death. But Joseph, being a very good man, wanted to take the quietest decision - he would quietly divorce her. It is then that Joseph learns that the pregnancy is the result of a special intervention by God himself. A son will be born and his name will be Jesus, which means 'God saves.' He will also be known as Emmanuel, which means, 'God is with us'. Because that is the very meaning of Jesus, that God, in human form, lives among us and shares our life and shows us how we are to live ours. And, indeed, without any intervention on Joseph's part the child Jesus is born. Let us today thank God for the extraordinary intervention of God in our lives and pray that, through the example of Jesus, his qualities may be reflected in us.