Once he had established peace with Israel's enemies, David settled in looking into the internal affairs of the nation. Part of his plan was to build a place for the public worship of God. For the ancient people, a god was truly established when he had a fitting house. Even Nathan, the prophet, approved David's plan. God, however, had a plan of His own. Although David wanted to build God a house, God informs Nathan through an oracle that He would turn David's good intention around. The Lord Himself will build a house for David. This house in a sense will be a dynasty that will rule forever in the person of David and his descendants. God's promise to David reached its true fulfillment with the coming of Jesus. Although the angel came to Mary, and Joseph is introduced as the man who she is betrothed to, and therefore, seen as a secondary figure in this drama of salvation, Joseph is nevertheless significant since it is he who belongs to the royal house of David. It is through Joseph that Jesus would have David as his father. Both the first reading and Gospel passage show how God intervenes in human affairs in order to save His people. He overturns the plans and thoughts of men so that, as Paul writes in a glorious hymn, things are as God wants them to be. May we too praise God, who alone can make us firm and immovable in faith, as we prepare for the coming of His Son, Jesus.