Celebrating the Gift of Fathers

Was Joseph calm, steady? Did he have any idea at all how to help? Was he frustrated that all he could find for shelter was a stable? Or was his faith rock solid and helping Mary keep it together?

In many cases, including the story of Joseph, the Bible is tantalizingly cryptic. The few details we are given leave much to the imagination. But they do tell us some important things.

We know Joseph was a descendant of King David. We know he was a God-fearing man, faithful to the law. We know he cared about Mary. Joseph’s adoption of the baby placed Jesus in the royal lineage and fulfilled prophecy. And we know God actively guided him in naming and protecting baby Jesus.

God’s choice and preparation of Joseph as Jesus’ adoptive father also shows how important the role of father is to God. God sent Jesus to a family—his preferred plan for children.

After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord’s angel had told him to do. But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:24-25 (CEV)

Joseph is not just a shadowy figure in the corner of the nativity. Considering his story helps us learn to celebrate and honor the fathers in our families.

In military families, the service member who has frequent absences can easily feel left out, forgotten. We have to work extra hard at communication, inclusion, and affirming all of our family members so they know they are wanted.

It hurts more to miss them. It’s easier to build up a callus of pretended indifference to their absence. It’s easier to just make your own plans than to adjust them fifty times for their schedule. It’s easy to become impatient with trying to include your service member in your routine. It’s easier to just do things your way rather than work at working together.

But God gives moms and dads to kids; each has strengths and insights and roles to fulfill. As we consider Joseph’s example, we can celebrate God’s gift of dads and make certain we are honoring that gift to its fullest.

PRAY

God, thank you for fathers, by blood and by action. Please help us grow together as a family despite our many separations. Thank you for your word and for revealing your perfect plan for families. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: What is Dad really good at, and what do we learn from him? How can we thank him?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Look up the following passages for today:

Matthew 2:13-14

Luke 2:39-40