Christmas Characters: Joseph

When my two children were born I was a forgotten man. Every man is overlooked when his children are born. The focus of family and friends is solely on the mother and child. The new father is an afterthought. Perhaps this is reasonable since men essentially make a one-time contribution. But it still hurts.

In the Christmas story Mary is the primary character in 31 verses (Luke 1:26-56); Joseph is mentioned in 10 verses (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-14). It’s comforting to know that things were no different then than they are now!

Joseph wasn’t Jesus’ natural father; but he was Christ’s earthly father. Consequently, Joseph played a crucial role in Jesus’ upbringing. Every son, for better or worse, looks to his father as the role model of what it means to be a man. Although Jesus is fully God, He also is fully man. As such, Jesus learned about manhood and life in general from Joseph.

This huge responsibility is captured in “Joseph’s Song” written and performed by Michael Card (© 1991, Mole End Music):

How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be
Lord I know He’s not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

As a father, these lyrics move my heart. I can’t imagine being Joseph and coming to grips with the task of raising the Son of God. Joseph must have been a very special man – and he was indeed (Matthew 1:18-25). He was a man of integrity, faith, and self-control.

Joseph was a man of integrity. When he learned Mary was pregnant, Joseph decided not to expose his fiancé to public disgrace. Despite his hurt and bewilderment, Joseph was thinking about Mary’s reputation.

Joseph was a man of faith. When an angel of the Lord appeared to him, Joseph, by faith, accepted the fact that Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Later, in a dream, the angel commanded him to take Mary home as his wife. He obeyed this command without hesitation.

Finally, Joseph was a man of self-control. Matthew 1:15 states, “But [Joseph] had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.” Every man understands how difficult this act of self control must have been for Joseph.

Given these qualities, it’s no wonder that Joseph was divinely chosen to be the Lord’s earthly father. Moreover, Joseph’s genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 also shows that he was a direct descendant of King David. In fulfillment of prophecy, both Joseph and Mary were David’s ancestors.

Joseph was a man’s man. He married Mary despite the gossip that circulated in Nazareth concerning her pregnancy. He taught his Son how to be a carpenter, a vocation Jesus practiced until He began His ministry.

Once more Michael Card captures the thoughts that must have been running through Joseph’s mind:

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I’ve been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be

How could it be? But thank God it was.

© 2010 Designed to Serve®