Matthew 1: 20-21 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ “

In the saga of Jesus’ life, Joseph is cast in a supporting role–that of the adopted father. At first, it’s a troubling position for him to undertake, for he is a just and faithful man. Upon learning that Mary is pregnant before the consummation of their marriage, he plans to divorce her in private to avoid shaming her publicly. Instead, an angel of God appears to Joseph and reassures him that this child, although not his own, is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that the child is destined for redemptive greatness. The angel tasks Joseph with giving the infant his name–Jesus–who will save his people from their sins.

“Do not be afraid” is a familiar line from angels, and I’m struck by how this fortifies Joseph to undertake this mission of fatherhood. The angel’s reassurance frees him from fear and the confinement of religious tradition. Joseph now becomes the earthly counterpart to God–providing support and protection for Jesus, mentoring him in the skills of carpentry, and modeling what it is to be a righteous, faithful man. After Christ’s birth, Joseph preserves Mary and Jesus by fleeing to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Periodically throughout his life, Jesus is referred to as the Son of Joseph or the carpenter’s son, and it’s clear in the gospels that his identity is tied to his earthly father.

I admire Joseph for taking on this supporting role in such a steadfast manner. His unflinching devotion to Jesus sets the example of how we might approach personal dilemmas. What can be troubling to us can be refined by God into a noble mission; in this case: What does it mean to be a parent? Joseph shows us how to love without reservation–and how to love those who may not be our own. That’s where Joseph’s true greatness lies.

Rebecca Lennstrom