Joseph

Joseph is a Christmas hero. God’s beautiful rescue plan for the human race really put this dear man through some changes. He had great plans for his life: he was building his carpentry business and planning a wedding with Mary, his fiancée. Then came the news that she was pregnant, and he knew he was not the father. How crushed his heart! How fallen his hopes!

Get this—God could have explained everything to him at the same time as Mary, but he didn’t. He allowed him to think that Mary had been unfaithful. God let him sweat: “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). It was only then that God sent another angel messenger to explain about the miraculous conception and the identity of her astounding Baby. Joseph believed the unbelievable. How that must have blown his mind—“I’m going to be the stepfather of God!”

The presence of God in human flesh in their arms didn’t make their lives easier, however. The little family had to flee Judea from the murderous rage of King Herod, and Joseph then had to try to find a way to feed them in exile in Egypt, far away from his tools and customers. For all he knew, he would never be able to return.

But in faith he allowed God to use him for his saving plan. He’s a hero to me.

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