The Catholic Defender: St. Joseph, The World's Greatest Dad
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
God had chosen St.Joseph to be the foster Father of Jesus to help Mother Mary, this is the story of the world's greatest Dad!
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
Salvation has come to the world!
This is marked in the happiness of a new born child.
The scripture tells us that Mary pondered these things in her heart. We too should ponder these things as we reflect the meaning of all this.
St. Joseph was a great provider with strong faith and trust in God. He gives a great example for all fathers. Joseph and Mary would first be Jesus protectors, then teachers.
All the happiness of the past couple of days will be enjoined with the coming of the Magi bearing gifts of Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
All this for a new born King! The small community in Bethlehem shares a calm before the storm. Jesus was born into the world humbling himself accepting humanity as a new born infant.
Thus the Word became flesh for the salvation of the world.
Not long before this nativity scene display, there was no room for the Holy Family in the inn, if the Lord were to come to your house this day, would he find room in the inn?
Do we receive this Word into our hearts?
If we do, then like Zaccheaus, “today, salvation has come to this house..” Mary, is like every other mother who loves their children. She is the role model of motherhood.
Whenever I see a statue or picture of Mary with the Christ Child, I reflect the great love between a mother and her child. The Christmas song “Silent Night” makes this scene come alive for me.
Every child should be loved like this. St. Joseph is a great model in his role of fatherhood. His leadership, his love for Jesus and Mary.
God entrusted his Son to St.Joseph making him one of the world’s greatest dad’s! These first few joyous days will quickly change as danger is coming.
Powerful forces seek to find the Christ child to kill him.
Not only King Herod wants baby Jesus dead, so does the king of darkness. Revelation 12:3 states, “Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on it’s head were seven diadems”.
This would appear very terrible for any family with a small child to overcome. However, when you have God’s protection, all things are possible. And St. Joseph served Our Lord well!
Jesus had to rely on the faithfulness of his parents as they are entrusted with the greatest mission the world will ever receive.
Nobody ever did it any better than Joseph and Mary. Events that we will celebrate in the next few days are the coming of the magi, and the presentation of Jesus into the Temple when he was fourty days old.
From this scene we have the Prophecy of Simeon, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself (Mary) a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”. “
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2″36-38).
It would not be long however before the small community would be shaken as “Rachel will not be consoled”. “When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him’. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son”.
We too, like Joseph, must act when tough times are coming. We must seek to do the Lord’s will in all things and he will lead us to the Promised Land. Sometimes through Egypt!
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
The last reference of St. Joseph would be when Jesus was found in the Temple talking to the Pharisees who marveled at Jesus knowledge (Luke 2:41-52). Most likely, Joseph would be taken sometime after this event.
Today, St. Joseph is honored by the Church with several titles:
St. Joseph the Worker. ...
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. ...
St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus. ...
St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying. ...
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. ...
St. Joseph, Patron of Fathers. ...
Splendor of Patriarchs. ...
Chaste Protector of the Virgin.
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, my beloved Patron, that never it has been heard that anyone invoked your patronage and sought your aid without being comforted. Inspired by this confidence I come to you and fervently commend myself to you. Despise not my petition, O dearest foster father of our Redeemer, but accept it graciously. Amen.
