Whither Joseph?

My son leaned over one Sunday morning before Christmas when he was six, as the pastor read the Christmas story from Luke ("In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree..."), and muttered, "That's the same story they told last year -- don't they have a new story this year?"

There is a lot to reflect on in the Christmas story, and our understanding of it grows and deepens through the years.

I wonder about Joseph, one of the most mysterious persons in the tale. There are many unanswered questions about the man the Lord chose to be the earthly father of the Messiah:

* How many people did he tell about the visit from the angel?
* How would explain the dreams to Mary? To others?
* What did he say if anyone whispered about Jesus being illegitimate?
* How did he explain these things to Jesus? (And what might Jesus have explained to Joseph?)

Nary a word from Joseph is recorded, only what he did. Perhaps he was a man of few words; my guess is that you would have listened carefully when he did speak.

Think about the strength in his hands and shoulders, a carpenter by trade. The carpenters I know are highly creative and disciplined -- and they're not big talkers.

Joseph was clearly dead by the time Jesus began his active ministry. What is his legacy?

Here's a question for you to ponder: How is your talk/do balance? Is it a reflection of your service to the Lord? Some of us are called to use words as tools. Some men are just plain given more words than others. But all are called to use words and deeds for the glory of God.