Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
Today is the Feast Day of Joseph, the Guardian of Jesus. He is one of the most overlooked people in the Bible, a small footnote in the story of salvation, usually relegated to a walk-on role in the annual Christmas Pageant. That is a shame, because he was a man of remarkable if quiet faith, and without his loving-kindness to Mary and Jesus the story would have been very different.
I have long had a deep affection for Joseph because he is such a quiet saint. My affection for him was confirmed by the statue of him holding Jesus at the Sacred Heart Retreat House. How amazing that a human can hold God the Son in his arms. How overwhelming that God the Son Incarnate, as a baby and small child would have leaned in to us to both give and receive love. I am struck by the sweetness and humanity of the moment captured in the statue.
Although the Bible tells us very little of Joseph, I imagine that he, like Mary, wondered at the holy child given into their care. I image that Joseph passed on the skills of his trade, wondering as he did what Jesus’ role in the salvation of His people would be. I imagine that Joseph often recalled the dream sent by God and the Name He gave the child, Jesus/ Joshua/God Saves, and what it might mean for him, for Mary, for Jesus. I imagine, but I do not know. All we do know is that Joseph said “Yes” to God and then lived each day in that “Yes.” Nothing flashy, nothing famous, just faithfulness.
That is why I love Joseph, simple faithfulness in the midst of chaos and confusion; simple faithfulness when we don’t understand and God doesn’t give us an answer. For times like these, for every day, may we be like Joseph, simply faithful, saying “Yes” to God and holding on to Jesus.
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