The story of Joseph is an aspect of the story of Christmas that is often overlooked. It is about a man who quietly accepts God’s will, even when it runs against the grain of societal propriety. Today he is revered as a patron saint of the Catholic church and of unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, employment, carpenters, realtors, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death. But in his life, he was simply a husband, father, and carpenter.
How appropriate that he should be the patron saint “against doubt and hesitation.” When an angel revealed the identity of Mary’s yet-to-be-born child, Joseph expressed no doubt nor hesitation in accepting his role as the earthly father of the Son of God. From that time on we see a Joseph as a protective father who cared for his wife and son with loving dedication.
God may never have spoken to you through an angel as he did to Joseph, but his Holy Word has clear instructions for every one of us. Above all, we are told to love God with every fabric of our being and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. May that love of God and neighbor enrich all our hearts this Christmas season.