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

Saint Joseph's dream by Daniele Crespi. Painted between 1620 and 1630 © Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 18 December 2025
Matthew 1:18-24

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

In today's gospel we meet Joseph at a moment of deep personal turmoil. He discovers that Mary, to whom he is betrothed, is expecting a child. From his perspective, the only reasonable conclusion is that she has been unfaithful. Wanting to uphold the law while still protecting Mary's dignity, he resolves to divorce her quietly, sparing her as much shame as possible. Joseph's intentions are noble and compassionate, yet they do not yet reflect God's greater plan. It is only when the angel appears to him in a dream that Joseph understands the truth: Mary's child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and he must take her into his home and give the child the name Jesus. Joseph wakes, listens, and acts.

We often find ourselves in similar situations, unsure of what God is asking, torn between what seems sensible and what may, in fact, be the deeper call of the Spirit. Like Joseph, our first instinct is not always the right one. Sometimes we need to pause, to pray, to "sleep on it," and to seek the quiet guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wise counsel of those who love us. Emmanuel (God with us) walks with us in these moments of discernment. If we invite Him into our uncertainties, He will enlighten our decisions just as He guided Joseph.

In our painting Daniele Crespi captures the moment when the angel visits Joseph in his sleep. The painting depicts one of the four dreams St Joseph has. Joseph lies curled and half-awakened on his chair, while the angel appears behind him gently tapping on his shoulder, whilst pointing towards Mary and baby Jesus in the crib. The painting in fact depicts another dream than the one described in our Gospel today. Our paining depicts the angel warning Joseph to take Mary and the child Jesus and flee to Egypt, to escape Herod's murderous threat. Daniele Crespi (1598-1630) was among the most accomplished painters active in Milan in the 1620s; he moved away from the exaggerated elegance of late Lombard Mannerism towards a clearer, more emotionally direct early Baroque style. Joseph is surrounded by carpenter's tools and saw dust and shavings on the floor.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-1-18-24-2025/