“Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph. But before they came together, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel told him that Mary was to have a baby from God. Joseph was to name the baby Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. He would also be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Matthew 1:20-21
Tonight is Joseph’s entry into the story. I’ve been listening to my Michael Crawford Christmas CD so much that I immediately think of the song that has the line, “Why me? I’m just a simple man of trade....”.
An ordinary man....is that what Joseph felt? Bewilderment at being chosen as the earthly father who would raise the Christ Child? Was he overwhelmed to suddenly find his betrothed wife pregnant, and angels invading his dreams? Did he worry about what others would think about all this? We are only told that he was a “good man” who didn’t want to cause Mary any trouble. He must have loved her. Before the angel even told him whose child she bore and who the child would be, he cared enough to not want to disgrace her.
Obviously, Joseph was not an “ordinary man”......he was extraordinary enough for God to choose him for this difficult job. He was kind, wise, obedient, and loving. He never balked at the angel’s directions, but did as God instructed him. Yes, a very extraordinary man of God!
Though Jesus is God he is also a human, a man. Joseph would be the one to raise him and teach him about being a man. His job was just as important as Mary’s.....perhaps more so because a boy learns to be like his father. Jesus had the best of both worlds....a perfect heavenly Father and a perfect human father.
Thank you Lord, for Joseph and his part in raising baby Jesus and keeping him safe until he was grown to fulfill his mission on earth. Jesus is part Joseph as well as part Mary. amen
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