Joseph, My Christmas Day Hero.
When you think of Christmas Day I wonder what it is that makes you excited? Is it your gluttony or the concept of family? Is it because you genuinely acknowledge the greatness the day represents and understand why it is so significant?
You probably think of the birth of Christ while wanting loved ones to shower you with expensive gifts as the 3 wise men did Jesus. And if you are a true catholic then you most likely were indoctrinated to appreciate Mary for her courage, perseverance, belief in the Lord, her trust in the Holy Spirit and his promises. (This could have easily been a religious article, I wonder why it is not.)
Often, we neglect the true hero in the story (forgive me for this) but what would Mary have done without Joseph? Abortions weren’t even legal then, and I’m sure if at the time they were knowledgeable about herbs to avoid birthing Jesus then it was too late. I am pro-choice but poor Joseph didn’t have much of a choice. For a man to own something as dire as a pregnancy he knows he didn’t conceive, I want to say he was underrated but I also believe he was rated just fine.
Imagine getting a man to care for a child that is not his in today’s world… we can just go on and count Joseph’s acceptance of Baby Jesus as being among one of the greatest miracles of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s men ignore the plight that was Joseph’s reality. The men of our days are so quick to reference the Bible and what it means to be a ‘virtuous woman’ but seem to neglect what it means to be a “Just man”.
Joseph not only accepted to be the father to a child he had no idea if really would be the ‘King of the Jews’ or just a leader of the largest cult in the world (tell Wole Soyinka it is not his type of cult) He then did all he could to make Mary as comfortable, protected and loved as possible (I’m certain you know the story of the journey to Bethlehem and the lack of rooms at the inn) which might not have gone the way it did if not for Joseph.
The sudden realization that if not for Joseph, the story we currently know as the Birth of Christ, The 3 Wise Men, and why ‘Emmanuel’ is the best name on earth would never have made sense. It makes me wonder how the story would have gone if Mary ended up a single mother. It means one of the best stories in the history of storytelling might not have come to be just as it is. Because even though I believe the Holy Spirit would have made the birth of Christ happen nonetheless, I doubt the stories would have been as great as the ones we now tell. I wonder if Mary would have had the love of her life by her side in such trying times which must have been difficult when you think deeply about it.
Do you think Joseph, an ordinary carpenter would have had a story being part of eternity? I mean, did you even know he had other kids? But his relevance today is mostly based on the fact that although he was sad and confused when Jesus was announced to him by the Angel, he didn’t run or reject what was to be. He assumed the position of Jesus’ father. Stories are told about him and would be told about him forever.
Off-topic, Realizing clubbing all night for Christians is night vigil. Lol.
Merry Christmas and welcome to my mind 🎄 👽
