A Father

The next figure that has my attention is Joseph. I just re-read the story around Jesus' conception and birth and his character never ceases to amaze me. Talk about self-effacement. He had a great deal of responsibility and few privileges, yet I wouldn't be surprised to hear he considered it all a privilege. I don't doubt he spent all the money to be had from the gifts of the Wise Men on securing safe passage and all necessities for his family.

He is shown here with an angel for his ear was turned to heaven. What a picture of a Father we have in him who never sought anything for himself but spent himself providing for those under his care, a man in charge who was not an autocrat because he himself answered to God, a man who loved his wife in the most selfless way and who let her fulfill her calling with unreserved support.

He was not center stage and never would be, we don't even know when or how he died but this we do know: he was chosen to raise the only Begotten of the Father.