Joseph gets gypped when it comes to the telling of the Christmas story. To help me focus on the real meaning of Christmas I read the Christmas story from the Bible the week of Christmas. Joseph was an amazing guy of Biblical proportions. If it weren’t for the fact that he gets overshadowed by his son Jesus, and his wife who birthed God’s son, I think that Joseph would be one of the biggest characters in the New Testament.
Case in point…
- Dreams. Joseph had 4 dreams where he heard from God. I had never noticed this before. I knew that he had the big dream that told him not to call off the marriage with Mary, but I had never noticed the other three. God speaking in dreams doesn’t happen that often. In fact the other guys in the Bible that had dreams became legends. You may have to know your Bible to know these names, but trust me they are the Biebers, Tebows, and Jon Accuffs of their day. Guys like Old Testament Joseph (not to get mixed up with Jesus’ step dad), Jacob, and Peter.
- No sex. The Christmas story is pretty clear that Joseph waited until after Jesus was born to crank up the Marvin Gaye music. That’s a big deal. When other Biblical heroes jacked up their legacy with sex scandals, Joseph showed great restraint.
- He was righteous. The Bible says, “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace.” Matthew 1:19 (NIV). I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. Between growing up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Bill and Ted I know that “righteous” is a most excellent compliment.
According to the Christmas story Joseph was more than a lame figure that stands in the background. I think that Joseph was so awesome he could take all the other supporting characters of the Christmas story in a cage fight. Sure the Angel has flying ability, the Shepherds have staffs, and the wise guys come in a group of three, but Joseph could pull out a can of whoop donkey on them all. He’s the man!
In his day people told facts about him like we tell facts about Chuck Norris. Joseph is the Honey Badger of the Christmas story. He’s in the background, but Joseph don’t care.
He was an amazing man of God. I think that Joseph deserves his own book of the Bible. I think that Joseph deserves his own Catholic prayer. Maybe he has his own prayer, but I’m not Catholic so I don’t have a fat clue about that. What I do know is that Mary’s prayer is so popular that even non Catholics know it. Joseph rules and it’s time to celebrate that!
Or maybe not. Maybe Joseph didn’t fight to become a celebrity because he believed it was all about Jesus. Maybe we don’t know more about Joseph because he spent all of his time making much of God. In a day in age where we scream for people to notice us, Joseph might be a perfect example of how we should be acting.
What are your thoughts about Joseph?
I think he was probably an amazing dad, who spent a ton of time with a Son who was not his and raised Him like He was.
Larry, agreed.
Read it, like it, keep it up Rob. Hope you and your family have an amazing Christmas. Does Santa visit the Shepard home, or would you attack him with pepper spray? Its a mixed bag with Christians. I will be leaving out cookies and eggnog.
Stevie, we have nothing against Santa. We even have a few Santa things at the house. But we aren’t going to push Santa on the kids. Their gifts will be from mom and dad.
I sometimes wish there was more information about the man who raised the Messiah. But what is written in the Bible, and what isn’t, really tells me all I need to know. Joseph followed God’s instructions without question and without fail. Joseph raised, loved, and taught a trade to a child that was not born of him but he claimed anyway as his own. He didn’t seek riches or fame. He only tried to do his best for his family. Joseph is the kind of father I want to be.
I know Jesus was the son of God and his nature was perfect. But I also believe that his earthly life was shaped by how his parent’s nurtured him. Clearly they did a good job of it.
Randal, great thoughts. Joseph had to have helped shape who Jesus was. We know that he obeyed God and was a righteous man. What a great example for a son.
What a great fresh angle to the Christmas Story. Love the conclusion!
Thanks Did!
Another most excellent, righteous post!
Merry Christmas ~
Thanks Amber. I appreciate the righteous comment.
Another honey badger reference this morning, and in relation to Joseph. That takes talent.
Daniel, I try…I try.
I often wonder if parenting the Son of God would be incredibly easier than parenting a regular human or incredibly harder. Or both.
Larry, I think it had to be both. The only glimpse we have is when Jesus went to the temple as a boy. His parents freaked and He was like “what?” “I’m in my Fathers House?” That’s from the R.O.B. translation.
Love it. I agree with Randal. I think Jesus was more human than we realize, for instance I don’t think he ever pushed his God-button. I think he depended on the Holy Spirit the way we’re supposed to, and he grew up the same as us minus the sinning. So Joseph would have been one of the heaviest influences in who the grown-up Jesus became. And God the Father saw Joseph as the right guy for the job. Pretty nice compliment.
Tim, agreed. What an honor. When the Heavenly Father chooses you to father His son. That’s impressive.
I think God is showing us that sometimes you can be a Joseph or an Ananias of demascus who taught paul after his conversion…
sometimes we don’t get the whole book…sometimes we have a small roll that impacts the most!
Arny, wow! Great insight! I love that!
Awesome post. I totally agree, Joseph was an outstanding dad who protected his family from mean people who wanted to kill them. He was decisive and obeyed immediately. If I had a dream from God I would probably rationalize it away as having eaten too much pizza. I noticed this week that Joseph was identified as “Joseph son of David”, yet in the lineage given a chapter back Joseph was the son of Jacob. So why did the angel say, “Joseph son of David”? David was a man after God’s own heart so I would apply that same characterization. No wonder God chose Joseph to raise His one and only son…someone who had a heart like God!
Joe, great thoughts. I think that according to prophecy the messiah would come from King David. It was really important that the linage be from him. I think that’s a reference to that. I need to do a little more research though.
I have to agree 100% with your break down here. Sharing this name, probably the best name on the planet, I feel my agreement should probably carry some sort of extra weight.
I mean think about this. We are introduced twice to name in the Bible, and it represented men with insane amount of faith, and obedience. Maybe I am bias, but I would say Joseph defiantly deserves his own book in the Bible.
Joseph, you do have a great name. I like that you go by Joseph and not Joe. At least that’s what I always call you. Is that right?
It is about a 50/50. If someone ask what I go by I respond Joseph
Merry Christmas Rob. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christ filled Christmas.
I’ve always enjoyed looking at the Christmas story from the perspective of Joseph. He stands as an incredible example to all of us. Thanks for reminding us.
Merry Christmas to you Sele! What are your plans?
I agree he’s like the honey badger- haha- “But Joseph don’t care.” Nice.
Yeah you’re right. In the few conversations I’ve heard about this lately people say things like “well we don’t know if he quietly divorced her after Jesus was born,” or “yeah he was solid- at least while Mary was pregnant with Jesus.”
I’m with you- we have no reason not to assume that Joseph who “Tebowed” on a regular basis.
Steven, well we know Joseph was around until Jesus was 12 years old. Luke 2:39-52 tells about his parents loosing him when He went to the temple. I don’t think we have any thing to lead us to believe that Joseph wasn’t around for most of Jesus’ life. I’ve heard that many scholars think that Joseph died before Jesus started His ministry because He isn’t mentioned. But Joseph had more kids with Mary so I think he was around for a while.
Monica was slackin’ today. 🙂
Seriously, though, good post. Joseph doesn’t get enough love. He really did paint a great picture of what faith, love and commitment to your spouse should look like.
Kevin, she actually had to google the spelling. She thought what I put looked right. Who knew? I guess you did.
Yeah. It’s cool. I really am a geek. I also figured Mr. Acuff may have liked to have had his name spelled correctly. But hey, it’s Christmas. I’m sure he won’t mind. 🙂
Nice post, I think the reason why Joseph might not have gotten his own book is because if he had any flaws, that’s all people would see or because they would think of him like people today think of Tebow: They might think he’s a great guy or they might think he’s an overly religious smuck. I would like to hear some of what influence he had, but “que sera, sera” (what will be will be.)
Prepare yourself. I hadn’t gotten to post my views on Santa the other day so I’m doing it here today.
Views of Santa:
I believe that Santa has an influence on us. Because of the idea of him, we give presents every Christmas as well as try to be a little nicer and more generous. I believe that the way Santa gives us gifts all in one night is the same way that God works all things for our good. Don’t mistake me and think I’m giving my praises to Santa. I also think whether you believe in Santa or not is a good judge of character. If you believe, it shows innocence, faith, and a kind heart. If you don’t believe in Santa it shows skepticism and a loss of innocence. There have been times where I’ve wanted to believe he wasn’t real, but I always do. It’s much like your relationship with God should be: you should believe in him, appreciate him, and love him for all that he does and all that he stands for, and it’s the saddest thing in the world if you can’t believe in him. With God, people think of things like “coincidences” or “luck-of-the-draw” or what have you. With Santa, people think “my family gets my presents” or “how can one man deliver presents to everyone in one night?” or “how can reindeer fly?” or what have you. What people don’t see is that they don’t stand loud and proud of every action that is performed, they stand in the sidelines to see if “you” notice or not. So now I have a challenge or two to pose:
In what ways would the idea of Santa affected a person’s actions over the holidays?
In what ways does God do this throughout your life?
What might your belief in Santa say about your faith in God?
None of this is meant to be taken as insulting or anything like that, merely food for thought.
An idea for those who are wondering how to present the idea of Jesus is the reason for the season while still allowing them to have a sort of belief in Santa I suggest the following:
Raise your children with the story of Jesus and his birth and explain that that is the reason for receiving presents on Christmas and celebrating. Then tell them about the “TRUE” Santa Clause (if you don’t know about Santa’s real story, there are a few that you can find that give more or less the real story. Some are in movie form.) Next tell them that because of the way that Santa did things, his spirit was intertwined with the Christmas season in the idea of giving presents, decorating tree, hanging stockings, etc, and in being kind and generous. In this way, they are growing up with Jesus and Santa. And it is true in my opinion that the Spirit of the man who was Santa Clause still exists today…with the permission of God of course.
Sean, interesting thoughts. I can tell that you’ve spent a lot of time thinking this through. Very well thought out. Thanks for sharing.
Ya know, I never really thought about how Joseph abstained from sex during Mary’s pregnancy. All the focus is on Jesus in that story.
Actually, now that you mention it, there is a certain point in the pregnancy where Mary would have been very amorous and Joseph would’ve had to fight her off.
Joseph definitely gets props for that.
ThatGuyKC, props indeed.
Never actually thought about that…but I agree. Joseph was a good guy. 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Thanks Austin-Lee. You too. Are you guys doing any traveling?
I’ve always though Joseph rocked. God said, he did…God said…he did. Over and over. You’ve added some great specifics to the list
Add to that the fact that it would seem Joseph died before Jesus began public ministry. What a faithful guy, and he never knew in his earthly life all that his step son would do.
Can’t you picture hIm looking at newborn Jesus with Mary, “Don’t you think maybe he looks a LITTLE like me?”
Joseph is the first true hero – in my opinion – which is why God chose him. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I just wonder what happened to him later. The Bible kinda drops him like a hot potato. Did he die? Did he join the circus? Did he become an astronaut? So many questions.