The answer is: Angel of the Lord

Matt 1:20

In the Gospel of Matthew, we see a dramatic moment in the unfolding story of Jesus' birth. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, learns she is pregnant—a revelation that could lead to scandal or worse. But in a dream, the Angel of the Lord reassures him, saying, “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” This dream sequence invites us to think about the power of divine messages in transforming uncertainty into trust.

Isn’t it intriguing that God didn’t directly tell Joseph himself but chose to send an angel? This way of delivering messages signifies the importance of human intermediaries in ancient culture, often representing a link between the divine and humanity. Angels, like our divine messenger here, serve as guides, delivering hope even in turbulent times.

Moreover, the notion of “not having fear” truly reflects a consistent theme throughout the Bible. From the shepherds' encounter with angels at the birth of Jesus to the various reassurances to Abraham and Moses, the invitation to shake off fear appears again and again. Lemon-scented wisdom and laughs are what these angels perhaps bring—sometimes a gentle nudge and other times a bolder insistence to trust the unimaginable promise of hope.

So, when Joseph wakes up from his dream, he acts decisively; his immediate obedience teaches us about the essence of faith. By embracing divine guidance, Joseph not only asserts trust in God's plan but becomes part of the much larger narrative that continues to resonate with humanity today.