A Christmas Story - a Forgotten Father?

At Christmas, it seems everyone has a favorite movie, viewed only at this wonderful time of year. Some love funny films like A Christmas Story, which centers on the young boy Ralphie, who wanted a BB gun for Christmas. Who doesn’t love the ending of the 1950’s film, White Christmas, with Bing Crosby crooning that beloved song in the closing snow-filled scene.

A God-fearing Peasant

My favorite, however, is The Nativity, which portrays the story of Mary and Joseph from their engagement in Nazareth, to their trek to Bethlehem, and finally to the birth of Jesus. It is a realistic picture of the gritty life of first-century Palestine and the bravery of Mary and Joseph as they faced the realities of God’s plan for them. To me, The Nativity’s portrayal of the birth of Jesus is most touching. Only God could write and produce a tale so wonderful that it thrills our hearts each time we hear it, see it, or read it. The story focuses on three major figures: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, the beloved Son sent from His Father’s heart to rescue weary souls from sin and despair.

Certainly, the honor of bearing the Christ-Child has brought Mary esteem for the ages. Mary, as Jesus’ earthly mother, exults, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:46-48).

However, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, equally deserves honor though he is often overlooked. Chosen by God to be Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph protected Mary and the Baby, keeping them safe from harm. This insignificant man, a humble, God-fearing peasant from Nazareth, subjugated his own plans and dreams to God to fulfill His purposes, in His perfect timing.

Swift Obedience

The first obstacle Joseph faced was how to handle the scandal of Mary’s pregnancy. Since Nazareth may have had a very small population, perhaps 480 people, the intimate details of the couple’s lives were probably discussed, judged, shamed, and even condemned. Yet Joseph’s great integrity and love for Mary prevailed. Even though the Law permitted an adulterous woman to be stoned, Scripture explains, "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly” (Matthew 1:19). Even though Joseph is designated as Mary’s husband, a position of authority over her, they lived apart during their engagement, representing a commitment yet to be fulfilled.

Joseph intended to act with mercy, to put Mary away secretly; however, God intervened. When the angel of the LORD appeared in a dream, assuring Joseph that Mary’s Child was divine, conceived by the Holy Spirit, Joseph willingly took Mary as his wife (ignoring the gossipmongers). A favorite scene of mine in The Nativity film shows Mary and Joseph as they leave Nazareth for Bethlehem. With a twinkle in his eye he remarks, “They’re really going to miss us!”

We know that Joseph did not know Mary physically until she had “brought forth her firstborn Son” (Matthew 1:25). Then, God gave Joseph the privilege of naming the Christ-Child, Jesus (Immanuel, God with us).

Heart-Wrenching Circumstances

The trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem stretched nearly 80 miles, a difficult week-long trip for a heavily-pregnant young woman. Some theologians surmise the couple traveled in spring as the harsh winter weather would have made the trip impossible. The couple probably joined other pilgrims and family members on the way, providing safety from robbers and wild animals, though Scripture lacks these details.

Artistic works often portray Mary riding on a donkey with Joseph walking alongside. While Scripture has no mention of animals, Joseph, a kind, godly man, surely owned a donkey or borrowed one for Mary to ride. Then, arriving in Bethlehem, exhausted and weary, and finding no place of sanctuary, Joseph’s heart probably wrenched. With no decent place for Mary to rest and give birth, they took refuge in a stable. Livestock may have been there as well, hunkering down from the cold, bringing the smells of manure amidst the straw. In that barn, a crude manger provided the only place to lay the Child soon to be born.

Humility in Peasant’s Clothes

Sometime later, God urged Joseph to take his family to Egypt, as Herod sought to kill the Christ-Child. Again, Joseph listened and obeyed his Lord. This humble man was chosen as the earthly father of the humblest Man who ever lived, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2: 5-8)

Finally, we see Joseph leading his family back to Nazareth where Jesus would grow up. Perhaps he knew the gossip would eventually die down, but the suspicions would remain. In Mark 6:3, the people remarked, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary?” The normal Jewish practice was to identify a son by his father’s name, but they were known to call a man the son of his mother if his father was unknown. Possibly Joseph was already dead, or perhaps Christ’s audience recalled the rumors about his supposedly illegitimate birth. By referring to Jesus as “the Son of Mary,” the people may have purposely insulted him with this title. Joseph would willingly bear these insults in obedience to His God.

Our Humble Offering

Similarly, as we submit to Jesus and His Word, we do not often see how God will use the offering of our lives to Him to bless others. However, “God is close to those who, like Joseph, are humble and contrite and who tremble at His Word” (Acher Niyonizigiye). Therefore, let us humbly lay our lives before Him. Then come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!