From Matthew 1:18-25 / The Birth of The King – Very little beyond what we have in this short portion is said about Joseph. But what we do know sheds light on how the Savior was raised. Who are these the Father chose to shepherd His own Son in His early years? As for Mary, we know mainly she was a willing servant of the Lord for His purposes, no matter the cost. Joseph, as we see here was a “just” upright man. Gentle and kind in his unwillingness to see his pregnant betrothed shamed, even before his angelic encounter. He is brave in taking Mary as his wife, knowing full well the stigma which will be attached to her untimely pregnancy. He is self-controlled, waiting Jesus’ birth before “knowing” his wife. Obedient to his divine commission. And for both of them, just kids. All of this is good. But nothing extraordinary. But more importantly it tells us so much about the eternal Son. So committed was He to the Father’s will and purposes, so trusting in His Father’s providence, that He is willing to be born to a couple of teenage parents, under the shadow of a suspicious birth, in a Judean backwater, under Roman occupation at a time when the spiritual state of God’s people was anything but spiritually alive. But He comes. He comes not into a world of technology, conveniences, affluence, natural advantages and hopeful prospects. He comes, helpless. Entrusted to the care of young, inexperienced, everyday, 1st century folk. And in the Father, submits Himself to them. And I can’t seem to trust Him with tomorrow’s newspaper. Father, forgive me. Make me more like The Son.