WHY THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH IN HIS SLEEP?

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-20

There are some who are perplexed as to why this great announcement to Joseph took place while he was sleeping rather than while he was awake. The reasons for this are given by Venerable Maria de Agreda and are shared in THE BOOK OF JOSEPH:

The first reason is, since Joseph was so prudent and filled with heavenly light, that it was not necessary to convince him by strong evidence to assure him of Mary’s dignity and of the mysteries of the Incarnation.

The second reason is, because his trouble had its beginning in seeing with his open eyes the pregnancy of his spouse, that they, having given occasion for suspicion, should be closed in order to see the angelic vision.

The third reason is that it was befitting for the angel deliver this message to him at a time when his senses, which had been scandalized to the point of grief, were suspended, that Joseph be in a state of peace and tranquility of spirit.