Looking for Christmasنموونە

Looking at Joseph

Joseph worked as a carpenter and was probably a simple, levelheaded, orderly, and practical man. Like Mary, in the routine of his day, while measuring, sawing, and building, Joseph must have been looking ahead to his wedding day and his life with Mary. Perhaps he even dreamed of teaching his sons his craft. It was hard work, but he knew that it would provide for their families, just as he knew he would be able to provide for Mary and their family together.

As a carpenter, Joseph undoubtedly knew almost everyone in the village because his skill would be in high demand. So imagine his disbelief when he discovered that Mary was pregnant. The feelings of anger, betrayal, hurt, fear, and revenge must have swept over him in waves. How could Mary do this? She seemed as happy as he was about their upcoming marriage. Everyone in Nazareth would be talking about this!

Joseph knew the law and that Mary could be stoned to death for being pregnant outside of marriage. Whatever feelings he may have initially felt when he discovered that Mary was pregnant were soon overshadowed by the love he felt for her. Because he was a good and righteous man, Joseph decided to break their engagement quietly so that she would not suffer any public disgrace (Matthew 1:19). What a gracious response in the face of what anyone would count as a betrayal! Joseph was not thinking of himself at this moment (the law would have been on his side), but he was thinking of Mary and the baby.

There was no parenting book on how to train up the future King of kings, so Joseph would father Jesus in the way he knew how: with faith, consistency, and simplicity. He would teach Jesus how to work with His hands and take Him to the synagogue. He would wrap his arm around Him when he was proud of the fine work He had done helping him in the carpenter shop that day. He would remind Jesus to look after His mother and to honor her. When people in the village looked at Joseph, they probably viewed him as a good and righteous man and a wonderful father.

We don’t know how long Joseph lived, but we do know God used this simple carpenter to help fulfill His plans for mankind. He was a good, devoted, dependable, and righteous man who worked hard to provide for and protect his family and lead them in the ways of God. We know he must have been a good leader for his family because two of Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, became early church leaders. They would have learned much from watching their father.

Joseph was a selfless, humble man, full of integrity and inner strength. He never spoke one word in the biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus. In church Christmas pageants, in Nativity sets, and on greeting cards, he’s relegated to standing behind Mary, but he was the leader of that home. He led Mary and Jesus and their entire family in the faith. He was a nobody by the world’s standards, but he was the man whom God entrusted to raise His Son.

Today, God still entrusts nobodies to fulfill His plans. We don’t have to be popular or celebrated. We just have to be willing, faithful, and obedient, like Joseph.