People of the First Christmas – St. Joseph

Greetings and welcome back to this mini-series on the people of the First Christmas. In this mini-series, I’m taking a look at what the Bible has to say about each of the characters there and this week, I will be examining St. Joseph, the earthly husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Let me point out that by ‘earthly’ I mean that it was according to what people saw – he was Mary’s husband and Jesus’s father (even though we know Mary was a virgin and conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit).

Joseph, a just man, faced a difficult decision upon learning of Mary’s pregnancy. Rather than public shaming, he chose a more compassionate path. His initial plan to quietly divorce Mary reveals his integrity and concern for her reputation. However, his character, marked by justice and mercy, set the stage for his ultimate obedience to God’s divine plan.

By examining Joseph’s character and actions, we can gain valuable insights into faith, trust, and obedience. As we delve into his story, let’s consider how we can apply these lessons to our own lives, both during the Christmas season and throughout the year.

St. Matthew describes Joseph as a righteous man. When faced with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, he chose compassion over condemnation. Rather than publicly shaming her, he intended to quietly divorce her, sparing her from the harsh punishment of stoning, a fate common for unmarried women in such circumstances. Had Joseph chosen a different path, the course of human history would have been dramatically altered. His choice of compassion over anger was a pivotal moment, one for which we should be eternally grateful.

We can learn a valuable lesson from Joseph’s example. By choosing compassion over anger, even in the face of challenging circumstances, we align ourselves with God’s righteousness. While righteous anger exists, our emotions often stem from frustration and impatience rather than a desire for justice. By opting for compassion, we choose a more godly path.

St. Matthew then reveals a divine intervention that would alter Joseph’s plans. In a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, revealing the truth about Mary’s pregnancy. The angel instructed Joseph to marry Mary and name the child Jesus, a name chosen by God. St. Matthew tells us in his first chapter that when he awoke “he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.”

Joseph’s unwavering obedience to God’s command, even when it defied all human understanding, is a powerful example for us all. He reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s plan, no matter how difficult it may seem. By choosing faith over fear, Joseph played a crucial role in the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior to the world.

Joseph’s character, marked by justice and mercy, set the stage for his ultimate obedience to God’s divine plan. His initial response to Mary’s pregnancy, while compassionate, was rooted in human understanding. However, when confronted with God’s revelation, he willingly surrendered his own plans, demonstrating a profound trust in divine providence.

As we reflect on the life of St. Joseph, let us be inspired by his unwavering faith and obedience to God’s will. May we strive to emulate his example of compassion, mercy, and trust in God’s plan. By following in his footsteps, we can live lives of purpose and significance, ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan.

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Next week, I’ll be examining the shepherds and their response to the angelic announcement they received that First Christmas.