Joseph: proxy parent to Emmanuel

Dear friend

Some of the prophecies about Jesus Christ's birth were very specific, for example, from the Old Testament, Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2.

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, would surely have known of these prophecies. However, upon discovering that Mary was expecting a baby, these prophetic pronouncements may not have been at the forefront of his mind. At this point one of the prophecies became pointedly pertinent; as seen in the New Testament, Matthew 1:20-24.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Emmanuel or Immanuel, was to come into the world and he, Joseph the carpenter, was to be the foster father. He and Mary would literally experience "God with us". And the soon to be announced need to go to Bethlehem would only reconfirm the legitimacy of the angelic announcement.

Have you ever thought how Joseph must have felt? What a turmoil of emotions he had to experience all at the same time. How would you have felt? I hope we remember to appreciate Joseph’s role in Christ's condescension. Praise be to God for faithful fathers.

Samuel.