Advent Journey - Following the Seed From Eden to Bethlehem Shembull

Day 24

JOSEPH DID YOU KNOW? 

Joseph (63)

If you’re following this Advent Journey on schedule, today is Christmas Eve! The Bethlehem SEED is almost here! 

Our journey brings us to Joseph, father to Jesus and husband to the Virgin Mary. Joseph was engaged to a woman, Mary, whom he just learned was pregnant with child. 

Very disturbing news. 

Thanks to an angel encounter, and Joseph being a faithful man, he stayed the course and made it to the Bethlehem scene.

Naturally, Mary gets most of the attention in the Christmas story. A virgin teenage mother gives birth to the Christ child. What a headline!

Often Joseph appears as a tag-along character, with shepherds, donkeys and goats. But as we’ve learned throughout this Advent Journey, Joseph’s role and unique ancestry is monumental.

Joseph was from the line of the kings. Mary was not. Joseph’s position in the line of the Seed was crucial to fulfilling the Davidic covenant – Jesus would come from a line of kings so that David’s kingdom could endure forever.

I love the Christmas song, Mary did you know? But the Advent Journey has me thinking more about Joseph. 

I wonder what he knew? How much did Joseph understand about his unique role in history? 

Joseph did you know… 

-  That you came from a line of kings? (Matt 1:20, Luke 1:27). 

-  That you were a son of David? From the tribe of Judah? 

-  That your son would be “THE Seed” from Genesis (3:15)? 

-  That the prophet Isaiah was talking about your son when he wrote, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:9)?  

-  That when you escaped to Egypt, with Mary and Jesus, to run from King Herod, you were protecting the Seed?

Joseph surely knew his lineage and where he came from. His angel encounter made some of this clear. But I imagine it took time for him to fully process all that was happening and what it all meant – to be the earthly father to this Christ child.

Joseph’s quiet, obedient nature is legendary, a fitting finish for this spectacular Seed journey. 

I look forward to my own conversation with Joseph one day in heaven, to ask him questions about what he knew.

Reflections: 

How do you see Joseph differently now that you understand his position in line of the Seed?

What questions might you have for Joseph, that you’d like to ask him someday in heaven?