Yesterday we began the celebration of the second stage of Advent. These final days of preparation help us to focus on the joy of the historical birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. The Gospels insert us into the very human experience of Jesus’ birth into our human history. The Prince of Peace did not appear suddenly as an angel nor as some spirit from heaven outside of our human experience and history. He had a long family history, just like each of us, that we heard in yesterday’s readings. A long history of ancestors – full of saints, sinners, and converted sinners.
Today we look at St Joseph who is not often mentioned in the stories or even Christmas carols of Jesus’ birth. According to the customs of the time, Mary and Joseph would have been betrothed through arrangements made by their families when they were very young. At that time, the betrothals were much more binding and formal than our practice of engagements now a days. Before they had begun to live together as a formally established couple, Mary became pregnant. Given the situation, it was obvious to Joseph that Mary had committed adultery. This was a public disaster for both families. Such a public sin would have damaged or ruined the reputation and social standing of both families. The formal punishment for adulterous women at that time was death by stoning. The prospect of a public scandal, loss of prestige, public shame, a public trial with the potential stoning of Mary, and even the possibility of being unable to negotiate another betrothal for another bride with another family were heavy on the heart and mind of Joseph. Surely, he was full of fear, confusion, anger, betrayal, and sadness. The situation does not seem to have any good outcome.
Personally, I often wonder how long Joseph lived in that moment of despair. Was it a week, a month? The text tells us that Joseph was just or righteous. This led Joseph to make a wise and merciful decision: he would not invoke a public trial for adultery nor expose Mary to stoning. This way both families could be protected from public shame.
Yet this was not God’s plan. God had been intervening in human history throughout the history of Jesus’ family. Here an angel appears to guide Joseph through his despair and confusion. The angles message is clear: renounce your fear, the child comes from God and is destined to be the savior. Joseph was a just man which predisposed him to hearing the angel’s message with an open heart. He set aside his own fears, confusion, and despair to unite his life to God’s plan.
Being part of human history, Jesus’ birth was sort of messy – just like our own family histories. The savior is born into and takes on our messy human life to redeem all. Although not often mentioned in stories or sung about in carols, Joseph’s righteousness and courage form an integral part of the Christmas story. His capacity to renounce his plans and his own self stand out as a opening the way for the birth of the messiah into a stable human family.
How often do we choose to follow God’s plan in our life? How often do we listen to God’s messages to us?
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home
Image: CANVA 14DEC25 AI generated.