St. Joseph

Probably the most overlooked person in the Christmas story is St. Joseph. Not a word of his is quoted. He just is there & doew what he has to. Yet, his importance in the events of the 1st Christmas cannot be should not be underestimated. Why?, because he was willing to do what he had to.

1st of all, how would most of us men feel if we were in his situation. Would we be willing to ldet her off by divorcing her quietly? Or, would we have her declared an adulterer & stoned to death? & would we accept a message in a dream to ignore all this & marry her anyway? Joseph did. His faith in God was strong enough that when God sent him a message he was willing to act immediately on it. & by acting he allowed God's plan to go on as it should. Jesus is able to be born.

Then, many months later, after the child is born, Joseph has another dream. This time, pull up stakes & move to Egypt. Joseph again immediately obeys. The result, Jesus is saved from an early death that would prevent him from fulfilling His mission as savior. Another dream, he takes his family back & settles where Jesus will be safe to grow up. The last time we see Joseph is when Jesus is 12 & they find him in the temple. Even here Joseph is silent. But, he is doing what he should, looking for a lost son.

St. Joseph's actions make Christmas possible because he is willing to obey God. There is the old saying "actions speak louder than words." St. Joseph proves the truth of this. His actions are a witness to his faith. He proclaims his trust in God loud & clear. & in doing so challenges each of us to do the same.