Advent remind us that Jesus was born into a human family. It was important that he took on our flesh and blood, but it was equally important that he took on the social relationships that both complete and complicate our lives. We can sometimes think that it would be easier to be holy apart from the people with whom we live and work. But the incarnation reminds us that God calls us to be holy in the midst of those very relationships. What we learn from Mary and Joseph is that as long as we say yes to God, he will guide us through the darkness with a sure hand.
— from Diane M. Houdek’s The Joy of Advent: Daily Reflections from Pope Francis
