Joseph’s “Father’s Day”
It had been a night the like of which Joseph had never dreamed could occur. Away from their home, their friends, and all familiar surroundings, his wife had given birth to a son in a hillside cave ordinarily used to shelter animals in the little town of Bethlehem.
As Joseph looked at Mary, asleep now, he cried. He should have been able to provide something better for her tonight. This precious woman who was “highly favored” and “blessed among womankind” had been entrusted to his care. But the best he had been able to do tonight was a cave, a tiny cleared area, and a bed of straw. “I should have been able to do more for her,” he whispered.
Then he looked at the baby. So tiny. So helpless. So dependent on Mary and him. But how could it be! This was God’s own son, not his. This baby was the God of creation, of Abraham, of Moses. He was the God of Joseph and Mary. How could he be lying beside Mary now?
Many fathers feel guilty that they are unable to do more for their families. Not enough money for a nice house. Furniture that needs to be replaced. Things always breaking down. Then there is the guilt over bad decisions. Over the inability to guide a troubled child. Over having to watch a child agonize to find his or her own way in life.
A caring, loving, father served God’s son at Bethlehem in the only way he could. The Father of us all asks of us only what he asked of Joseph on that holy day.
—Adapted from an illustration by Rubel Shelly
As Joseph looked at Mary, asleep now, he cried. He should have been able to provide something better for her tonight. This precious woman who was “highly favored” and “blessed among womankind” had been entrusted to his care. But the best he had been able to do tonight was a cave, a tiny cleared area, and a bed of straw. “I should have been able to do more for her,” he whispered.
Then he looked at the baby. So tiny. So helpless. So dependent on Mary and him. But how could it be! This was God’s own son, not his. This baby was the God of creation, of Abraham, of Moses. He was the God of Joseph and Mary. How could he be lying beside Mary now?
Many fathers feel guilty that they are unable to do more for their families. Not enough money for a nice house. Furniture that needs to be replaced. Things always breaking down. Then there is the guilt over bad decisions. Over the inability to guide a troubled child. Over having to watch a child agonize to find his or her own way in life.
A caring, loving, father served God’s son at Bethlehem in the only way he could. The Father of us all asks of us only what he asked of Joseph on that holy day.
—Adapted from an illustration by Rubel Shelly