Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 This week is the fourth week of Advent, so we light the candle of joy.

Though at the moment there is not much joy around, just lots of tragedy and grief.

I can not speak this morning without reflecting on the appalling events that occurred only a few days ago at Christmas Island, when a number of men, women and children drowned while trying to escape a life of fear and persecution. It was both heart breaking and harrowing to witness again and again the wooden boat being smashed on the rocks, and the looks of the helpless people on the cliffs, unable to save them.

It makes me, and I am sure many of you, question what we are doing to help these people, and people like them. We are not politicians, wealthy business people with great influence or famous celebrities. For most of us the only power we have is the power of our own actions. Yet our actions can and do make a difference, even if it is just to one person.

A story is going around from the aftermath of the accident, which I heard on the radio the other day. Now I don`t know whether this really happened but it doesn`t matter, the truth is in the telling.

It is about an American psychiatrist, who has been on holiday on the island. This man, whose name I will not even try to pronounce, went to the hospital to visit those rescued. He greeted one refugee, the man we have seen jumping from the boat onto the cliff, with the only words he knew in Farsi, the man`s language. Those words were `I love you`. Powerful words of connection and caring that brought some joy to someone in need.

A simple human gesture of compassion to one person is very powerful. Already this story has touched others and represents something greater. Suddenly, after this terrible event, these so called boat people have become just people, scared, frightened and real, in need of love and protection. Suddenly we have a common humanity and a shared grief. We pray it will last.

When we hear the reading for today about Joseph, who appears in the Christmas story for just a brief moment, we realise the biblical writers also knew about the power of the individual to change things. Joseph represents all of us who act with faith and love in support of another person, even with our doubts and uncertainties and fears. Joseph could have run away from his situation, he could have belittled and disowned Mary in her time of need, but instead he stands beside her, on the journey that leads to Christ. The reading may include some magical events, but Joseph`s response was real, and earthly and inspiring.

Thank God for Joseph, for without his faith our story would be unfinished. Thank God for those who show love and compassion to others, for their faith helps to make them whole. And thank God that with our faith we can make a difference in the world, even if it is to just one person. For as the Koran says,`He who saves a single life saves the world entire`.