Copyright © 2025 Women of the ELCA. Reprint permission is granted for use in Women of the ELCA units, clusters/conferences and synodical women’s organizations provided each post is reproduced in its entirety. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.
Joseph was faced with a situation that he didn’t see coming. Even before the angel, Joseph chose to be kind. “Unwilling to expose her public disgrace” is quite the understatement. The punishment for adultery according to the Mosaic Law was public stoning! The community was willing to deal harshly with Mary, but Joseph was not. Joseph was just an ordinary good person. The decision to parent comes from goodness and love. While Joseph had a serious assist from an angel in his decision-making, following his example in choosing the goodness of parenting is a decision we can all look up to.
We can definitely relate to Joseph as a person today. Joseph probably did some of the same things my dad did with me. Dad picked me up when I scraped a knee, taught me how to work and loved me. I was his own, no matter what anyone had to say. Joseph and my dad stepped up to raise children that they didn’t have to raise. They chose to raise and love us.
Joseph’s story is the story of an unsung Christmas hero. Families are made by God’s love and not only by biology.
This message is excerpted from “Real” by Diane Norstad from the December 2018 Gather magazine. Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.