The Angel informs St. Joseph in a dream - The Incarnation - Bk4 - Ch3

The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Archangel Gabriel spoke to St. Joseph in his sleep. Why in his sleep? The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us to be mindful of maintaining our tranquility, which can interfere with our communication with God. She says, "...in what you have understood of this chapter, you have a sweet motive for praising the wonderful ways of God’s wisdom in afflicting and again consoling his servants and chosen ones; from both the one and the other, He most wisely and kindly draws for them increase of merit and glory. Besides this doctrine, I wish that you receive another one, most important for your direction, and for the narrow pathway, which the Most High has assigned to you. It is this, that you strive with all your might to preserve yourself in tranquillity and interior peace, without allowing yourself to be deprived of it by any troublesome event of this life whatsoever, and by always keeping in mind the example and instruction contained in this part of the life of my spouse saint Joseph. The Most High does not wish to see the creatures disturbed by afflictions, but that they gain merit; not that they lose courage, but that they test their own power when aided by grace. Although the more violent temptations routinely close the haven of exalted peace and knowledge of God, and although they ground the creature more firmly in the knowledge of its own lowliness; yet if the soul loses its interior tranquillity and equilibrium, it will make itself unfit for the visit of the Lord, for hearing his voice, and for being raised up to his embraces. The Majesty of God does not come in a storm cloud (1 Kings 19:12), nor will the rays of this supreme Sun of justice shine, when calm is not reigning in the soul."