Gospel in Art: An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream

The Dream of Saint Joseph, by Daniele Crespi, 1620, Oil on canvas © Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 1 November 2025
Matthew 1:18-23

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel' - which means, God with us.

Reflection on the painting

This year, the Solemnity of All Saints (normally celebrated on 1 November) is transferred to tomorrow. The Church makes this adjustment so that the faithful may more easily take part in the celebration, since on Sundays we all gather for mass.

Our Gospel reading from Matthew which tells of the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream comes back several times a year. It is used in the Catholic lectionary for several key Marian and Christmas-related feasts:

- Most notably, it is proclaimed on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 September)

- The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 December)

- The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (25 March)

- And during the Christmas liturgical season, particularly in the Vigil Mass for Christmas (24 December), where the focus is on the divine origins of Jesus and the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy of Emmanuel.

It is a good Gospel reading to prepare us for tomorrow's Solemnity of All Saints, as it acts as a quiet preparation for tomorrow. The reading reminds us that all holiness, all sanctity, begins with the Incarnation. It all begins with "Emmanuel, God-with-us." Before we honour the saints in glory and pray for the souls of the departed, the Church gives us a moment to contemplate the mystery of God taking flesh, dwelling among us, and sanctifying humanity itself. The reading thus becomes a fitting prelude: a reminder that the Communion of Saints, which we celebrate on All Saints' and All Souls', has its origin in the Word made flesh.

In The Dream of Saint Joseph by Daniele Crespi, we witnessed angel appearing to Saint Joseph. Joseph is depicted in semi-darkness, his body curled up asleep at his desk in his carpenter's workshop. The angel is gently pointing towards the cribs in the crib in the next room, foretelling what is about to happen. Joseph's slumped pose with heavy draped clothes echoes the weight of his responsibility: protector of the Son of God. The stillness of the night is tangible.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-1-18-23-2025-3/