Men Like Joseph

At the beginning of this year Jon and I felt that God wanted us to raise a new generation of men. Not just our own son, but to be spiritual “god-parents” to a generation of men. To raise up men like Joseph.

Jewish tradition describes scripture as a diamond. Every time you look at it, it reflects a new light. Every year when I open God’s word about Christmas, I see the story and the coming of Jesus in a new light. This year, I’m in admiration of Joseph.

Joseph; Jesus’ earthly dad, was a righteous man we are told from scripture. Engaged to a young woman named Mary, he probably was dream-like as he imagined their newlywed life. I bet he pictured their honeymoon. I bet he dreamed up a house they would live in someday. Maybe he dreamed of their first born child and his pride over them.

One day, Joseph’s imagined world came crashing to the ground. His betrothed, Mary, was with child. The baby was not his. While the Bible doesn’t give us an account of how he felt, I would wager he felt a deep betrayal and loss. Who was this woman he loved? Who was the father of this baby she carried? How could this happen? Where to go from here?

The Bible tells us that Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly. He didn’t want shame on her. Even in his pain he thought of hers first. As he moved to fulfill this plan an angel visited him. The baby, the angel said, was not from a man. But from God. “Mary” - this angel described - “is carrying Immanuel, God with us.” Joseph is stunned, I would imagine, but also faithful - diligent - BRAVE. He makes a life-altering decision in that moment. A decision that would be followed by tidal waves of decisions in like-fashion. He decides to be obedient to God, and raise his son.

Joseph and Mary’s lives those first years are fear ridden at best, horrifying and traumatic at worst. Joseph is the guard and loving husband to Mary as they travel to Bethlehem… he is with her when they have their first child, Jesus. Shortly after his god-Son is born, Joseph is visited yet again by an angel: there is a bounty on Jesus’ life. Herod has ordered every baby boy under two-years to be killed. “You have to run,” the angel tells him. The command is to flee their homeland, to protect his family, to be honoring to God. Joseph is.

While he is a secondary character in most of our story-telling, and plays second fiddle to Mary in the honor of raising the Son of God, Joseph to me this year is a hero. A rock. A man of God.

And we need more men like him.

Men that are gracious and kind, brave and protective, thoughtful and righteous. Men who love their wives, protect their family, listen to God, walk the hard roads, choose the paths less traveled. This year, as we celebrate Jesus I’m thankful for his earthly dad.

And I’m asking God to inspire a new generation of men. And the god-mothers and god-fathers around them that will raise them.

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