Joseph

Joseph to me is one of the most amazing characters of the Nativity. I often think about his quiet and firm example to us all. I think first of all we see that he is the kind of man worthy to marry Mary-the mother of the Son of God. That alone says a lot about this man. The second thing I notice about him is his charity. When he discovers Mary pregnant he had the power to have her stoned-he could have had his "revenge". Instead we are told in the Bible "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19) Joseph loved Mary, he loved her enough to not to embarrass of chastise her but do all he could to help her. I think it was his charity that helped him receive his own heavenly messenger confirming that Mary was the mother of Christ and that he, Joseph, was to marry Mary and care for them both. I can only imagine how hard it would be to be the "step" father of the Son of God. I certainly would feel  inadequate to "fill-in" as Christ's earthly father to teach, meet his needs, and be an example to him; but he took the job gladly. Joseph was also an honest man. He went to pay his taxes when asked despite the hardships of traveling with a very pregnant women. He cared for his family and searched diligently for a place for them but when none was available he did all he could for them anyways. Christ worked alongside him in his carpentry and I am sure Christ watched Joseph as Christ grew "in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) I love Joseph for his humble yet courageous example as a father and husband and as a servant of the Lord. We too can be as Joseph and seek to love and not find fault, live our callings and obey the Lord, and seek to better be an example of faith and help those around us watch, change, and "glorify our father" (Matthew 5:16).